Brewing good while doing good
Brewed Ideas Challenge winners focus on sustainability, social justice and inclusion
By Kelsey Otero, associate director of social innovation in the Office of Research and Innovation
“Never be quiet about your idea. You never know where it will go.”
Those are the words of Julie Aleman and Wendy Perez, the duo who won two awards as part of the 2021 Brewed Ideas Challenge.
Aleman and Perez’s winning idea “Community. Books. YOU.,” is textbook-lending platform promoting equitable education by borrowing out required textbooks to low-income and first-generation students on the Marquette University campus for free.
Community. Books. YOU. took home first place in both the social impact track and audience choice categories, earning an $8,500 prize which Aleman and Perez will use to grow their initiative.
The pair, both first generation students themselves, came up with the idea for Community. Books You. in 2020. As the idea progressed, the two approached the 707 Hub for help building a plan. Within a few months they found themselves pitching their idea to more than 700 people who joined this year’s Brewed Ideas Challenge virtual event, April 23.
Aleman, a freshman in the Diederich College of Communication, and Perez, a freshman in the College of Business Administration, are disrupting the textbook space and — as Aleman puts it — “trying to do big things for the world.”
Brewed Ideas is Marquette’s version of a Shark Tank-style competition sponsored by Brady Corporation. The goal is to “brew” innovative ideas, and along the way recognize and reward budding entrepreneurs by offering seed money to help them advance their ideas. The seed-funding competition is open to all Marquette students and hosted by the 707 Hub.
Looking back at this year’s Brewed Ideas Challenge, the unofficial theme seemed to be “Brewing good, while doing good.”
Finalists in both tracks — the social impact track and the traditional business track — prioritized sustainability, social justice and inclusion, which excited the judges.
Aleman and Perez were not the only winners of the day.
Five other student teams were awarded seed funds to grow their ideas which range from decadent chocolate truffles to sustainable, modular footwear.
Marc Minani impressed the judges with his chocolate truffles that also support cocoa farmers in Africa.
“I am extremely lucky to have a platform like the 707 Hub that pushed me to take my idea from my kitchen counter to a product ready to be tasted by the Brewed Ideas judges,” Minani says. “The competition gave me the confidence that every idea is worth pursing, and I’m thrilled to share my products with the Marquette community this fall, added Marc, the founder of Ukuli Chocolates.”
Each year, senior leaders from Brady Corporation mentor Brewed Ideas Challenge finalists, helping them prepare for the live pitch event. More than $140,000 has been awarded to great ideas over the last eight years.
Past Brewed Ideas Challenge winners include Liv a Little Ice Cream, The Color of English, JD BNB, OLUOMO Worldwide, Sendgineering and Complete Shaping.
Want to relive the excitement? Watch the recording of the 2021 Brewed Ideas Competition online.
2021 Brewed Ideas Challenge Winners
Social Impact Track
- 1st place: Community. Books. YOU., an organization committed to equitable education by lending low-income and first-generation students required textbooks for free.
- 2nd place: Marquette Yard Sale, a platform providing Marquette students with affordable and convenient access to furniture
Traditional Business Track
- 1st place: Ukuli Chocolates, decadent truffles made with ethically-sourced cocoa, while also highlighting local flavors
- 2nd place: Nugeni, a company pioneering sustainable boots with changeable outsoles
Additional Awards
- Brady Innovation Winner: Puzzle Prep Meal Containers, a cutting-edge meal prep container with detachable compartments
- Excellence in Inclusive Impact: Etombi Foundation, an initiative providing sustainable healthcare and education to the underprivileged in Cameroon
Audience Choice: Community. Books. YOU.
