Creating a Breadth of Business Opportunities

mpd² students applied lessons learned in the classroom as they tried to use their capstone projects to solve an array of societal challenges.

Aging parents. Overwhelmed caregivers. International renters.

Those varied demographics represent a sampling of the wide range of capstone projects developed by the latest class of students in Northwestern Engineering's Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) program.

The capstone project is a three-quarter long opportunity for students to research and design a product or service that addresses a customer's need.

"I'm always blown away with the breadth of problems that students address," adjunct lecturer Mike Edmonds said. "These students have gone through identifying an unmet opportunity from scratch, go through all the rigor of desirability, feasibility, and viability, and that final presentation is their opportunity to really tell their story."

This is the third year Edmonds co-taught the course with fellow adjunct lecturer John Renaldi. The two feel they've grown as instructors over that time. But after watching the most recent class' final presentations, Renaldi was struck by how much the students have grown, not just during the class, but from year to year.

"This is probably the first year that when we look at the teams and their product concepts, nearly all of them were in some way inevitable businesses," Renaldi said. "They all could be legitimate venture businesses, and the students all spent a tremendous amount of time trying to figure out a financial model that would make it such."

Learn more about each of the final capstone projects below. 

Folio 

Folio is the future of career management and professional growth. Born out of the need for autonomy within a career, Folio is a dynamic platform that empowers professionals to capture, organize, and showcase their career milestones.  

GaitGuardian 

GaitGuardian is a comprehensive sensor and software solution for mobility health at home. Designed to empower older adults at risk of falling and those who care for them, the system seamlessly connects older adults to their support network in real time. 

QuestMates 

QuestMates is a dynamic platform transforming the adventure and relocation experience. In a world where moving to a new city can mean facing loneliness, QuestMates offers a beacon of connection and involvement by pairing individuals based on interests. 

RepairMate 

RepairMate is designed for car owners who lack consolidated information to diagnose, repair, and maintain their vehicle. RepairMates simplifies the car repair process with part comparisons and purchasing opportunities, and it helps owners save money, time, and effort maintaining their vehicle. 

Tenny 

Tenny is a dual-purpose co-pilot that simplifies the leasing process for international students and leasing agents. Tenny is a comprehensive resource with property listings, virtual tours, and move-in assistance. It also integrates into leasing agents' customer relationship management platforms. 

Type & Play 

Type & Play is an educational toy to help children ages 3 to 6 develop essential keyboarding skills. The toy offers a safe, offline environment where children can play games and engage with interactive stories, laying the foundation for future success in the digital world. 

Vivi 

Vivi: Your Care Companion empowers patients and their caregivers throughout the healthcare journey. Vivi helps with appointment preparation and post-visit summaries, and collaborative opportunities allow caregivers to stay informed and help loved ones feel connected.