2025 InNOLEvation® Challenge Winner: ATHENGUARD
Medical technology startup ATHENGUARD was named the winner of the $10,000 first-place prize at the 13th annual InNOLEvation® Challenge Finals Friday, March 28.
ATHENGUARD, founded by Saiabhinav “Sai” Devulapalli, addresses the pervasive issue of sports-related concussions (SCs) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the workforce. Devulapalli is a senior studying Biomedical Engineering in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
Devulapalli appreciates the event for boosting his startup and building confidence in ATHENGUARD’s long-term capability.
“The InNOLEvation® Challenge gave me the structure and support to turn a simple idea into a viable startup,” Devulapalli said. “It pushed me to think critically about the real-world impact of my innovation, from customer discovery to long-term sustainability. More than anything, it showed me the power of combining passion with business strategy, and how students like us can be real changemakers.”
Other prize winners in the competition were Genesis Zero (2nd place) by Ameen Babbs at $7,000; Bebop (3rd place) by Ryan Zambrano and Hugo Davies at $4,000; YourGuide eXplorer (4th place) by Hayk Bejanyan and Meri Hovsepyan at $2,000; and Job Jumper (5th place) by Cooper Carty at $1,200.
Meet the Finalists:
- Athenguard – Saiabhinav Devulapalli
- Bebop – Ryan Zambrano and Hugo Davies
- Job Jumper – Cooper Carty
- Genesis Zero – Ameen Babbs
- AudioGuide – Hayk Bejanyan and Meri Hovsepyan
What is the InNOLEvation® Challenge?
The InNOLEvation® Challenge is a New Venture Competition with a focus on identifying problems and potential solutions, building effective teams and precisely defining the assumptions of a new venture, testing those assumptions in the field, and then pivoting (changing) based on the lessons learned.
Students are encouraged, but not required, to work in teams instead of working alone to develop their ideas. For best results, team members should have complementary skills and a wide range of backgrounds.
Click here to learn more about the competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a business in order to compete for the InNOLEvation® Challenge?
In order to enter into the competition (Stage 1 deadline November 8th), you are NOT required to have a business. In fact, more often than not, a good business idea is a good start. If selected to enter into Stage 2, you will get help with developing a more detailed business plan and financial projection. The competition is meant to provide a process to encourage and assist students in launching or furthering their new ventures. If selected to enter into Stage 3, students are required to register a business in order to receive the prize funding.
Is the application to compete complicated and time consuming?
Stage 1 application (deadline November 8th) is fairly simple and straightforward. You will primarily be asked to describe your business or business idea. The application itself should not take a long time to complete. As you move further along into Stage 2 or Stage 3 in the spring, 2025 (if selected), your commitment is expected to increase as you more fully develop or pivot your venture.
Does the competition prefer one industry over another?
No. We encourage and welcome entrepreneurship and innovation in all industries and fields. Our previous winners have created businesses of all sorts, incl. traditional industries as well as low tech or high tech ones.
Can I compete individually or shall I compete in teams?
The competition allows 1-6 persons to sign up as one application. We have seen successful applicants as individuals or as teams. If selected to enter into Stage 2, you have one opportunity to change and finalize team members, as long as the team remains eligible to compete (refer to the Jim Moran College website for the eligibility guidelines).
Shall I upload a 1-3 minutes video for Stage 1 application?
A video is optional. However, having a video explaining the business model can help the reviewers understand your business or business idea.
I am a FAMU student enrolled in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. Am I eligible to compete??
For purposes of the competition, you meet the requirement to be a student enrolled at FSU. You will need to verify that you meet the rest of the requirements at Eligibility Guidelines. FAMU-FSU College of Engineering students can participate on a team in the competition. At least 50% of the students on the team need to be FSU students (FAMU-FSU College of Engineering students are included in this percentage).
Can I change team members after applying?
Team members must be solidified by Stage 2.
Are there restrictions on other changes that I might want to make?
You cannot make any changes during the competition which cause your team to no longer meet the eligibility qualifications. Also, after applying, you can no longer change the name of the team/company or the value proposition.
Can I participate on more than one team?
Yes for Stage 1, but students can only be on one team past Stage 1.
How can I make sure my Submissions are made on time?
Submissions need to be received by 11:59 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time for each stage.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Please contact Jim Moran College’s Student Engagement team with any questions: mwang@jmc.fsu.edu.
