Saint Francis University Team Sweeps Second Place in Global CEO Business Pitch for EcoPrint

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Photo by Abby Miller

Saint Francis University Pre-Med Students Showcase Compassionate Entrepreneurship to Earn Second Place in Global CEO Business Pitch Competition

Three Saint Francis University entrepreneurs took their non-profit company EcoPrint all the way to second place in the international Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization's 41st annual CEO Global Conference and Pitch Fest on November 2, 2024, in Tampa, Fla.

The team-comprised of B.S. Biology - Pre-Medicine Concentration seniors Caleb DeBass (Forest, VA), Carson Elbin (Needmore, PA), and Nathan Poplos (Magnolia, DE)-advanced through multiple competition rounds to showcase their innovative non-profit. EcoPrint features a cutting-edge machine that transforms plastic waste into 3D printer filament, used to create products donated to Saint Francis University's Physician Assistant Science Program's Medical Mission Team.

In the months before the 2024 spring break medical mission trip to Guatemala, they collected 1000s of plastic bottles from streets, parks, lakes, and roadsides, which they transformed into essential items such as medical supplies, medicine bottles, and even boomerangs for the local children. Their funding model generates revenue by selling device kits they've developed and an array of products like keychains and household items.

A Wild Card Win

The Saint Francis University team won second place by advancing through an alternative route called the "Wild Card" round. After being overlooked in the paper review of the applications by judges, they were one of 24 teams who attempted to advance into the round of 24 final teams via a popular vote, which they won. After finishing among the top six business pitches on Friday, they moved into the final round held on Saturday and earned second place overall. The win included a $6,000 prize. One hundred teams from around the world competed. No other Saint Francis University pitch team has ever advanced into the final 24-team pool. The competition validates that any student, or small team of students, with the passion to develop an innovative idea or product and present it to the right audiences can be a successful entrepreneur regardless of what they studied. It also proves that our students, as entrepreneurs, can compete with students across the globe in these kinds of competitions.

About the Collegiate Entrepreneurs

Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 1983, supports more than 16,500 emerging collegiate entrepreneurs annually. CEO believes that any student can launch a business regardless of academic discipline. Through its global network of more than 250 college and university chapters, it supports and inspires the growth and development of any student who seeks to be entrepreneurial.

CEO's mission is to inform, support, and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation. With a diverse entrepreneurial community and global network, the CEO provides student entrepreneurs with opportunities, events, chapter activities, and conferences to help start businesses. The highlight of the year is the annual Global Conference hosted each fall.

Conference photos by Abby Miller: View her 41st Annual CEO Global Conference and Pitch Fest Photo Gallery.

About CEO in the Shield School of Business

CEO's vision is to serve colleges and universities, helping students achieve their entrepreneurial dreams and goals. CEO provides student entrepreneurs with opportunities, events, chapter activities, and conferences to help start businesses. Saint Francis University CEO's Chapter was founded in 2020 by Dr. Randy Frye, Dean of the Shields School of Business, alongside two students, Ethan Knoebel and Alex Kiepert. While this student organization resides in the Shields School of Business it is open to all Saint Francis University students regardless of their major program. Between SIFE/Enactus and CEO, the Shields School of Business has sponsored a Campus Business Pitch Fest for 12 years.

About EcoPrint

EcoPrint is a non-profit organization founded by three Biology, Pre-Medicine majors at Saint Francis University. Its mission is to reduce plastic waste and provide sustainable solutions by transforming discarded plastic water bottles into high-quality 3D printed products that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

Explore the EcoPrint origin story at Saint Francis University on the University news blog: Printing with a Purpose.