FUTURE entrepreneurs from schools across the region descended on the University of New England to share their best innovative ideas in the UNE Business School Innovation Challenge

More than 100 students participated in the UNE Business School Innovation Challenge where Duval High School student Kyanna Villano took out third place for her idea.

School Buddy is the name of the phone application designed by Kyanna to keep students on track.

“My business idea was an app called School Buddy, you have your own school timetable in it plus a personalised calender so students in high school can keep up with their school, social and extracurricular activities,” Kyanna said.

“It also keeps you up to date on when your tests or assignments are due so you don’t forget about it until the last minute.”

Each of the students were required to turn their idea into a three minute pitch that they delivered to an audience on the day.

Members of the UNE Business School worked with the top 20 finalists in the lead up to the event to coach them on idea development and pitching techniques.

Kyanna Villano said she came up with the idea for School Buddy one day in class.

“I think a teacher mentioned that it would be easier if we had an app to keep up with all the homework we have and it went on from there,” she said.

“I usually lose my timetable, my homework and assignments, so I thought it would be a good idea if I just had all of this information in one place.

“I decided to go with an application because most students have their own phone or a tablet these days so they could easily access an application.”

Duval High School was awarded $250 for third place.

Students Yoganesh Manoharan and Tonii Ker-David also pitched their ideas for a smart coffee machine and a frozen pacifier at the event.

First place was awarded to a student from St John Paul College and second place was awarded to two students from Guyra Central School.

The event was judged by Daniel Emery and Tom Croft from The Welder’s Dog, UNE Business School professor Alison Sheridan and Myee Gregory from Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.