Last March, three Physician Assistant students placed first in SFU’s annual Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Pitch Fest.
On Nov. 2, the SFU trio finished runner-up at the CEO Global Conference and Pitch Fest held in Tampa, Florida.
Caleb DeBass, Carson Elbin and Nathan Poplos pitched their sustainable 3D-printing company, EcoPrint, at the event.
EcoPrint’s goal is to “support healthcare professionals and patients with innovative, sustainable solutions that create a positive environmental impact.”
The SFU entrepreneurs use plastic bottles and waste to create practical 3D products and medical supplies. These supplies are then donated to underprivileged communities.
Last semester, products created by the group were distributed on an SFU mission trip to Guatemala.
EcoPrint was not initially selected for the international competition earlier this month, but it advanced to the finals in a “wildcard” round. This round allows teams to pitch their ideas to attendees who then vote on the wildcard selections.
“After being overlooked in the paper review of the applications by the judges, they were one of 24 teams who attempted to advance into the round of 24 final teams via a popular vote,” said Shields School of Business Dean Randy Frye in a press release.
The SFU group was one of four teams to advance to the finals through the wildcard round.
“Competing allowed us to hone our skills of providing an “elevator pitch” to anyone who would listen,” said Elbin.
The team won a $6,000 prize for its runner-up finish. There were 100 teams competing from around the world at the CEO Global Conference and Pitch Fest.
No other SFU pitch team has ever advanced into the final 24-team pool at the event.
“It proves that our students, as entrepreneurs, can compete with students across the globe in these kinds of competitions,” said Frye.
EcoPrint has grown significantly since it launched more than a year ago. Across various social media platforms, the company has accumulated 110 million views and around 75,000 followers.
“We have partnered with, and are sponsored by, three different 3D printing companies – Bambu Lab, Elegoo and FL SUN – and are currently working with four other sponsors,” said DeBass.
“We are developing the next generation of recycling machines and plan to make full-length videos to teach others our process.”
DeBass, Elbin and Poplos continue to promote their company on campus and the trio plans to travel with other PA Program students on a mission trip to Guatemala for a second straight year in March of 2025.
They again plan to donate hundreds of medicine bottles and toys made from plastic waste to the people they engage with in Guatemala.
“We are incredibly proud to represent SFU and bring home a runner-up finish,” said DeBass. “We certainly could not have gotten to where we are today if it hadn’t been for our faculty and advisors.
“Hopefully, this will help put SFU on the map and broaden connections for future students.
