The Student App Contest final judging took place on April 1 in The Union, giving four groups monetary prizes adding up to $5,000. 

Each group gave a presentation on their app and answered questions about what they had created. Those competing created teams and submitted an app to be judged. The prize pool was split four ways. There were five judges, which consisted of community members and individuals that have ties to SDSU. The judges rated the six teams that submitted apps. Each of the teams submitted different apps that ranged in subject matter and target audience. 

Champions of the Student App Contest were Isaac Initiatives, receiving a $2,500 prize. Second place went to Alpha Apps who won $1,250. Third place went to College Golf Bound who received $750. Fourth Place winners were NCWolter, who won $500.

The two teams walked away without a placing, were CLOSET and Eyemark. 

Isaac Initiatives: Oliver Adventure app is a game comprised of various levels. The app went though different stages and had a fast playtime.

“I want to build a game that is easy to use,” said Oliver Isaac, a senior from Mitchell. Isaac spent approximately 40 to 45 hours developing the winning app.

The team Alpha App took second place. They created an app for Rainbow Play Systems, which allows individuals interested building a custom play set. The app, RPS allows the customer to design the play set to their exact specifications. One feature of the app that would impact Rainbow Play Systems is that the contact information goes directly to the company. After the company designs their playhouse, Rainbow Play Systems sends them an email with an estimated price. 

“I really think this app contest has helped me to get my foot in the door,” Genetzky said. “I love that SDSU has put on this app contest.”

Taking third place was College Golf Bound. College Golf Bound is a website and app for golfers to find swing instructors, colleges, and coaches. The app allows golfers to scout tournaments and post tournament scores. Swing videos, instructor profiles, and what clubs golfers use are posted in the app. Every college golf coach in the nation has free access to the app, whereas users pay a one-time $100 fee. Kyle Cooper, the creator already has approximately 300 subscribers to the app. 

The fourth place winner of the contest was NCWolter: Nicholas Wolter and Brandon Eggers. The app the duo created was Computer Guy. 

“Our app is very comprehensive,” Wolter said.

The app functions as a resource for technology questions. Eggers and Wolter focused on the details on the app. They created all of the icons within the app using Photoshop. They made the app have screen rotation; if an individual prefers landscape or portrait they are able to make that layout the default way the app appears. Another option for users is the ability to send feedback about the app. The feedback goes directly to Eggers and Wolter.

“User activity giving feedback was huge for us,” said Eggers.

The Computer Guy will be available on the Android app store on April 10.

“Who wouldn’t want a computer guy in their pocket?” Wolter said.

Another group to present was CLOSET, which consisted of Shaohu Zhang. His app was designed so users could see where accidents have occurred and how many accidents have occurred. 

“I requested data from South Dakota department of transportation,” Zhang said. “Car accidents happen all the time.”

Eyemark presented at the contest as well. The team members were Bo Cinio and Debolin Sinha. The app they created was a seed catalog. The app would allow gardeners and those interested in planting to be able to not have to rely on the internet to have a seed catalog. 

“A seed catalog is for gardener’s to keep track of what’s in their garden,” Cinio said. 

William Aylor, the director of the technology transfer office, helped host the Student App Contest. Aylor said, “Thank you to all the teams and all the judges.