Two undergraduates — with a mobile app to take the pain out of parking for drivers and lot managers — claimed the $10,000 first prize in the 18th annual Big Bang! Business Competition at the University of California, Davis, tonight (May 24). Their venture, Japa, uses smart data and advanced analytics to provide drivers and lot managers with real-time parking information.

“Our vision is simple: to solve parking problems and to make smart cities and university and corporate campuses a reality,” said Japa CEO Mathew Magno of Rancho Cucamonga, California, a UC Davis senior majoring in computer science. The other team member is Charles Chen of Bellevue, Washington, who is a UC Davis senior in computer science engineering.

In the main Big Bang! event, five finalists from among 62 entries presented their ventures (one by video). They were judged based on their integrated strategy, steps toward implementation and market opportunity. Prizes for Big Bang!, including its pitch and poster competitions, totaled $112,000.

Davis-based Cognivive won the $5,000 second prize for its “digital medicines.” 

With a total of $17,500 in prize money, UC Davis postdoctoral scholar Denise Bronner had the highest winnings of the night for Anu Snacks of Sacramento, which makes all-natural snacks from the spent grain of microbreweries. She won the $2,500 People’s Choice Award, voted by the audience at the ceremony; the $12,000 Food and Agricultural Sector Award; and the $3,000 Food, Ag and Health Innovation Award.

Read the full story on the main UC Davis website.

About Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes 99 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.