The Cube - Student Accelerator

In the fall of 2018, the Shipley Center launched its Cube program with the aim of accelerating the ideas of a select group of student entrepreneurs who were truly dedicated to their business ideas. Students in this program gain access to special resources that are not available to the rest of the Clarkson student body.

Clarkson student entrepreneurs benefit from the Shipley Center for Innovation Cube program

To become a member of the Cube, students must participate in one of several pitch events held throughout the academic year to demonstrate not only that they have a great idea, but also that they are truly dedicated to developing it. The students from each pitch who are selected to join the Cube then become members of the program for one full year. Student teams that successfully accomplish their Cube goals are eligible to apply for re-entry into the program in order to continue the acceleration of their idea. 

The Cube offers the following resources to students:

  • Supervised discretionary funds
  • Eligibility to apply for full-Ignition grant
  • A dedicated project team
  • Access to Shipley Center full-time staff and Shipley's Subject Matter Experts
  • External business plan competition sponsorship

Apply Here

Meet Our Cube Teams

Ana Logo

Members: 
Nate Parkinson  '22 - Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Andrew Bennett  '22 - Engineering & Management

Overview:

Each year, nearly 40,000 children are injured or killed by house fires in the United States. ANA Smart Safety LLC has developed a technology that will reduce the number of child fatalities using advanced fire safety technology. Our technology specializes in both a visual and auditory stimulus to alert children of potential danger. The mission of ANA Smart Safety is to create a safer living environment for children to sleep in.

 

 

Palmer Technologies

Members:
Cameron Palmer '23 - Computer Engineering
Brendan Whitman '22 - Global Supply Chain Management

Overview:
For the last 70 years, 75% of plastic made globally has been wasted, ending up in places we really don’t want plastic - beaches, parks, oceans, lakes, just to name a few. At the same time, a completely separate industry is emerging - personal 3D printing, and with it, high demand for plastic. Palmer Technologies looks to capitalize on the growing personal 3D printing industry while offering sustainable solutions to growing plastic consumption and waste.

 

 

Codio's Bagels

Members:
Martha Codio '23 - Online MBA
Aaron Walters '23 - Online MBA

Overview:
Codio’s Bagels focuses on making positive social and health impacts by providing a delicious and versatile household staple to a diverse community. They bake Montréal-inspired bagels in the Albany, NY region using proprietary process and blend of ingredients.

 

 

 

 

Conpact

Members:
Quinn Sullivan '21 - Financial Info and Analysis, '22 MBA
AJ Beers '18 - Mechanical Engineering

Overview:
CONPACT offers an alternative product to the traditional contact lens storage case. We aim to provide users access to lens storage and solution during unpredicted times.

 

 

Graduated Teams

Garden Guardian

Members:
Zach Pilarchik '22 - Engineering and Management

Overview:
Garden Guardian is a new alternative to harmful garden protective chemicals and sprays. This easy to apply mesh cover allows consumers to protect their garden without using chemicals and keeps all bugs and pests off. Garden Guardian provides protection without introducing expensive chemicals to the environment or your food source!

Time in Cube: Spring 2020 - Spring 2021

Major Achievements:

  • 2020 - Concept stage winner of the AgTech & Food category at the State Business Plan Competition
  • 2021 - 1st place in Agtech & Food Category at the Regional Business Plan Competition

Current Status: Working towards first full-scale production run

 

SecureMat is a student run business in the Shipley Center for Innovation Cube program

Members:
Zach Pilarchik '22 - Engineering and Management

Overview:
SecureMat designed doormats that integrated Internet of Things technology into a traditional household item. Their product used a weighted mat to detect when a package is removed and immediately notify the homeowner via a mobile application that their package has been moved.

Time in Cube: Spring 2018 - Spring 2020

Major Achievements:

  • Developed business concept through EM120/121 courses

Current Status: Entrepreneur moved on to a new venture

 

Stibitz

Members:
Justin Opini '21 - Computer Science
Josh Gordon '21 - Computer Science and Mathematics

Overview:
StiBitz was the next iteration in human computer interaction. They levied immersive interaction techniques to use the world, like open air on inanimate objects as your interface. This allowed for increased productivity, intuitiveness and involvement in interaction. 

Time in Cube: Fall 2018 - Fall 2020

Major Achievements:

  • 2019 - 2nd place in technology and Entertainment Category at Regional Business Plan Competition

Current Status: Project Discontinued

 

Quotast

Members:
Ethan Pike '19 - Engineering and Management
David Level '16 - Engineering and Management

Overview:
Quotast was created to help mid-sized engineering companies perform efficient and cost-effective quotes for their projects. Quotast allows you to quote all of your metal needs in a fast, convenient and reliable website.

Time in Cube: Fall 2018 - Fall 2019

Major Achievements:

  • Developed front-facing website and received 2 letters of intent

Current Status: Project stalled

 

Klaw Industries

Members:
Jack Lamuraglia '21 - Electrical Engineering
Tanner Wallis '21 - Mechanical Engineering
Jacob Kumpon '22 - Mechanical Engineering Binghamton University

Overview:
KLAW Industries is dedicated to the advanced use of underutilized materials that are otherwise being thrown away. We are paid by recycling facilities to take contaminated glass that would otherwise be landfilled, we then use our proprietary process to turn that glass into Pantheon™, our product. Pantheon™ is then sold to concrete manufacturers who use it as a partial replacement for cement since it gives them access to LEED points and provides more desirable compressive and chemical properties. KLAW Industries recently swept two national championships and brought home $50,000!


Time in Cube: Fall 2019 - Spring 2021

Major Achievements:

  • Generated $265,000 in funding between competitions, grants, and other sources
  • Completed a National Science Foundation Customer Discovery Course
  • Filed a full patent application
  • 2020 - 2nd place in NYSERDA’s Energy & Environment category and won the concept stage award at the State Business Plan Competition
  • 2021 - 1st place in the Infrastructure, First Responder & Defense Prize Category at the State Business Plan Competition

Current Status: Seeking Investment to build a Pilot Facility

 

H2Code is a Cube student business in the Shipley Center for Innovation

Members:
Emma Pietrzykowski
Miles Estes '21 - Mechanical Engineering
Byrce Coughlin '22 - Business Studies

Overview:
H2Code came up with an innovative incentive program for consumers who utilize reusable bottles in lieu of paper cups. Their system allowed users to scan a barcode on their reusable bottle every time they save a disposable cup, for each scan the user was entered into a raffle for a chance to win a cash prize.

Time in Cube: Spring 2018 - Spring 2020

Major Achievements:

  • 2019 - 2nd place in Energy and Environment Category at Regional Business Plan Competition

Current Status: Project Discontinued

 

TerrApparel is a student run business in the Shipley Center for Innovation Cube program

Members:
Matt Hawthrone '19 - Engineering and Management, '21 Environmental Engineering MS
Maura Maguire '20 - Global Supply Chain Management, '22 Environmental Policy MS

Overview:
TerrApparel utilized a closed-loop supply chain to create quality, 100% recyclable performance clothing with plant-based and fluorocarbon-free finishes and solutions. Their products were produced with renewable energy and packaged in recycled/recyclable materials, minimizing impact on the environment in an effort to change the face of the outdoor and active wear apparel industry.

Time in Cube: Spring 2019 - Spring 2020

Current Status: Closed operations December 2020

 

Polysager is a student run business in the Shipley Center for Innovation Cube program

Members:
Brian Pfeil '18 - Mechanical Engineering, '20 Engineering MS

Overview:
Many athletes and physical therapists either use or recommend the use of a self-massage tool before/after some sort of physical activity. However, some of the most commonly used massage tools (foam rollers, massage sticks & massage balls) are either too bulky to bring on the go, or designed for only a small range of muscles. With the Polysager's dual purpose design, people can treat whatever muscle they need to, during their daily routines.

Time in Cube: Spring 2018 - Spring 2020

Major Achievements:

  • 2019 - Manufactured and sold a small batch of Polysagers
  • 2019 - 2nd place in Medtech and Well-Being Category at Regional Business Plan Competition
  • 2018 - 1st Place in Products Category of the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition

Current Status: Project discontinued