Clarkson Students Place Third in Entrepreneurship Competition

Clarkson students Justin Mekenye Opini,’21, and Josh Gordon, ’21, were awarded $500 for their third-place finish at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, a competition for students who run a business while in school. There were 20 applicants to the competition, with six being selected to present their businesses. Gordon and Opini’s business, stiBITZ, produces the first computer with a focus on 3D interfaces to solve modern problems focused on 3D data.

The Shipley Center for Innovation is assisting Gordon and Opini, both Computer Science majors, with all the details of getting their business off the ground. “The Shipley Center has provided us with money for prototyping, a network to reach out and get assistance in what we are working on, working space, and Shipley interns who meet with us weekly,” says Opini.

“Justin and Josh have worked hard on growing their business. The Shipley Center is proud of them and are excited for their future success,” said Ashley Sweeney, Associate Director of the Shipley Center.

The computer is not currently in production, but Gordon and Opini are using their prize money, in addition to other awards and Shipley Grants, to complete their prototype. Once their prototype is complete, they hope to get enough funding for office space and full-time employees.