“The cohort at the WCTC Applied AI Lab provided invaluable support by offering a collaborative environment where we could refine myIP’s AI-driven IP protection platform, receive feedback on user needs and network with industry experts, accelerating myIP’s development process and market readiness." -- Oday Albakri, founder of myIP
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024) – For the past four weeks, a group of entrepreneurs have been intent on developing and shaping distinctive AI ideas through Waukesha County Technical College’s Applied AI Lab, thanks to a partnership with gener8tor and the gAlpha accelerator.
The participants – 12 founders of new and existing businesses – met twice a week in the lab to research and discover ways AI can be implemented in their unique businesses, said Dan Lindberg, director of the WCTC Applied AI Lab.
Start-up and established business ventures were diverse, such as a recycler and reseller of automotive components, an upcycled fashion company, real estate development company, intellectual property management platform, stock trading platform and others. And while each business had a specific focus for their AI concept, Lindberg said participants had a common goal to apply and leverage AI in a fundamental way. Some examples include streamlining processes and workflows, creating efficiencies, developing a better user experience and promoting accuracy.
Upon completing the accelerator, participants graduated, but first had to “pitch” their AI concept to a panel of judges consisting of Lindberg; Laura Krohn, WCTC’s chief of staff; and Jake Pollastrini, a gener8tor managing director. Oday Albakri, founder of the AI-enabled platform myIP that tackles the most pressing challenges in intellectual property (IP) management, took top honors.
“The cohort at the WCTC Applied AI Lab provided invaluable support by offering a collaborative environment where we could refine myIP’s AI-driven IP protection platform, receive feedback on user needs and network with industry experts, accelerating myIP’s development process and market readiness,” Albakri said.
Entrepreneur Wyatt Johnson, founder of Zentrix, an AI-powered trading signals bot for retail investors, said the accelerator program provided tools to help propel his business forward.
“Participating in the WCTC Applied AI Lab program has been incredibly valuable for our team,” Johnson said. “We gained access to learning resources, technology and connections that have helped us refine the machine learning and AI behind our product. We're so excited to continue working with gener8tor and WCTC's Applied AI Lab as we test new training methods, models and more.”
Beyond this initial accelerator, the lab is getting ready to launch the gBeta accelerator with gener8tor, along with a second cohort for gAlpha. Additional AI events and activities planned for fall include workshops, seminars and a challenge:
• Lean AI (workshop) Nov. 11
• AI for Productivity (workshop) Nov. 14
• AI and the 21st Century Worker (seminar) Dec. 5.
On Nov. 23, the WCTC Applied AI Lab will host the AI Innovation Challenge – for individuals and teams of up to three people – which involves a real-world problem and the task to create an AI-driven solution.
To learn more about WCTC’s Applied AI Lab and the many comprehensive AI opportunities available at the College, visit www.wctc.edu/ai.