Nicholas LaJoie: 2018 UMaine Business Challenge Award Winner

Nicholas LaJoie, a Computer Engineering student graduating in May 2018, was a 2018 UMaine Business Challenge winner. The UMaine Business Challenge is the largest business-plan competition for college students in the state. Business Challenge finalists are first selected and paired with mentors and have two weeks to prepare for a live-pitch event to present their ideas and plans. LaJoie was ultimately awarded the $10,000 innovation prize.

Nicholas LaJoie, who grew up on a potato farm in Northern Maine, has developed a system of sensors and embedded electronics to help potato farmers remotely monitor their storage facilities. He calls the company IoTato, a play on the IoT acronym, which stands for internet-of-things. He will receive $5000 up front, and another $5000 when he achieves milestones set by the challenge’s advisory board.

For more information about the UMaine Business Challenge, check out this promotional video.