Purdue University students recently engaged in the Moonshot Pitch Challenge, a platform for ideation where they delivered concise two-minute pitches proposing solutions to intricate issues both in space and on Earth. Notably, two students of Indian descent, Suryansh Panwar and Ayush Karkare, secured first place in their respective categories, earning $1,500 each in cash prizes.
Suryansh Panwar, an applied statistics student in the College of Science, clinched the top spot in the Moonshot category and Best Pitch. His project, Empyrean Energy, focuses on utilizing solar power from space to generate continuous, zero-emission energy on Earth. The innovative approach not only addresses global energy needs but also aligns with environmental preservation goals. Moonshot concepts are those tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Panwar acknowledged the difficulty of presenting within two minutes but emphasized the commitment to delivering quality. He expressed plans to participate in the new-venture challenge in the upcoming semester.
In the Earth category, Ayush Karkare, a student in the First-Year Engineering program, secured first place with BioVolt. This project harnesses electricity through photosynthesis, and the biophotovoltaic panel employed not only generates energy but also has the unique ability to offset carbon emissions during the energy generation process. Earth Ideas, in this context, pertain to initiatives addressing socioeconomic needs and challenges on Earth.
Karkare shared the rigorous preparation for the presentation, practicing extensively for hours. He attributed the success to the culmination of long-term project dedication, making the pitching process smoother.
