Capstone Winner Wows with Idea for App
to Inspire Designers & DIYers Alike
ORLANDO, Fla. – With an idea for a mobile website upgrade that gives Target shoppers instant professional design assistance, business student Team ExoVation wowed the judges Thursday to win the Great Capstone Case Competition at UCF College of Business. It was the largest summer Capstone competition with 60 students comprising 11 teams vying for $2,000 in prizes, thanks to sponsor Target Corporation.
“The TargetSuites app would bundle items together and provides expert design suggestions for those who want to have a great looking space but don’t know where to start or for those who are just looking for some inspiration,” said team spokesman and marketing major Paul Hoffmann.
Team ExoVation included Hoffmann, human resource majors Tina McGuire and Syncha Thompson, finance and accounting major Ryan Wood and entrepreneurship major Phil Tangorra. Marketing lab instructor Gary Nichols served as the team’s faculty advisor.
In store or online, shoppers would be able to click on an item in TargetSuites and view it bundled with several coordinating pieces. The app also would suggest bundles at three price points to help shoppers find the best option for their budget.
“As soon as Phil proposed the idea, we knew we had something special, of course, then we spent a lot of time tearing it apart,” Hoffmann said. “We prepared for every scenario possible and every member of our team contributed to our success. This team has been the best experience of my college career.”
The Great Capstone Case Competition is a part of UCF College of Business’s final coursework for students and it is designed to help business students strengthen their analytic, communication, presentation and teamwork skills beyond the classroom by developing strategic recommendations for real-world business issues. This semester’s class was one of the biggest summer sessions with nearly 500 students enrolled.
“The Great Capstone Case Competition aims to pit nominated teams with superior strategic and financial analysis against one another for our client of the industry in which we study. I was so proud of all our teams this semester,” said Chris Leo, management instructor and faculty lead of this summer’s Capstone class. “For the finalists to get a chance to pitch their ideas to executives from Target is an invaluable experience as they set out in their careers
After a semester of working together as a team, students present their plan to faculty who select the teams that will compete in Capstone. During the semifinal round, students present to management faculty and Target partners, leaders and district managers.
Representatives from Target served as judges along with College of Business faculty members. For this Capstone Case Competition, students were given a business situation from Target and asked to create a solution or plan that would benefit the company.
“Target was incredibly impressed with the talent and passion of the business students in this summer’s Capstone Competition,” said Jennifer Kearney, District Team Leader for Target. “Their insights and recommendations will be taken back to the organization to improve the brand and drive sales.”
The second place team of Aaron DeLisa, Kim Fritscher, Michelle Fritscher, Hernando Locklar and Austin Reese (Team Set to Stun) pitched an idea to enable direct ordering of Target products seen on decorating shows through interactive TV.
Third place team Bullseye included Estefania Ardila, Carolina Espinoza, Maria Linares, Mayra Pacheco and Janet Velez and their suggestion to equip stores with a kiosk and virtual reality glasses to enhance customer purchase decisions.
About UCF College of Business Administration
Established in 1968, the UCF College of Business Administration offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and executive levels. All programs, as well as the Kenneth G. Dixon School of Accounting are accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college provides high-quality academic programs designed to give students a competitive advantage in the world of business now and in the future. Learn more at business.ucf.edu.