Business Student's Parking App a Finalist for Light City Baltimore's Pitch Competition
March 22, 2016
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
Roadi, a parking app created by Opeyemi Thomas, a student in the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business, is one of 10 finalists in the inaugural Light City Baltimore pitch competition for new companies. One of five startups in the sustainability category, Roadi and its makers will receive $5,000 if it wins the judging. The competition is part of Light City U, an innovation conference to be held during the Light City Baltimore event scheduled for March 28 through April 3 in various locations around the city.
Thomas is a junior in the Merrick School of Business. He is part of the school's Entrepreneurship Fellows program, and serves as president of the UB Investment Society. He is the CEO of Roadi.
The mobile Roadi app delivers street parking recommendations based on historical and real-time data. Thomas said the app is available as a prototype.
Thomas is receiving support for his company via the school's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, working with its team to develop a viable business model and network with business developers in Baltimore. The center also is advising Thomas on his pitch to potential investors.
"I’m always interested in learning new things," Thomas said. "I'm very persistent in reaching for my goals and I enjoy building relationships with others."
The Light City pitch competition, to be held March 31, will gather finalists from the sustainability and health care categories in a showcase before a panel of venture capital judges. The winning company in each category will receive a $5,000 grant frm the Warnock Foundation.
Read about the competition in the Baltimore Business Journal.
Learn more about Roadi.
Learn more about the Merrick School of Business, the Entrepreneurship Fellows program and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.