![Bharadwaj “Ben” Dogga presentation during Venture Lab graduation](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/03/n21157498/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1679517958023.jpg)
UC student uses startup program to turbo-charge an idea
Venture Lab unlocks essential skills for entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship programs at the University of Cincinnati allow college students to explore the commercialization potential of business concepts they’ve developed in the laboratory or the classroom.
Through the Venture Lab in the 1819 Innovation Hub, Bharadwaj “Ben” Dogga connected with seasoned industry professionals and resources to evaluate the marketability of DigiE3Turbo, a software plug-in he designed to automate the digitization of jet engine blades.
Using his master’s thesis work in aerospace engineering from the College of Engineering and Applied Science, Dogga, currently a PhD student, participated in the Venture Lab’s pre-accelerator program for early-stage ideas.
I am grateful that UC is part of the Cincinnati Innovation District, offering an asset like the pre-accelerator program and innovation challenges that provided me with hands-on experience collaborating with business mentors and leaders.
Bharadwaj “Ben” Dogga UC PhD student
Program mentorship
During the two-month pre-accelerator session, would-be-entrepreneurs are provided resources and mentorship, preparing them for graduation day, when participants pitch their ideas to potential investors.
Dogga had developed an innovative technology as part of his thesis work at UC. Called DigiE3Turbo, the software digitizes numeric data of jet engine blades from old reports developed by NASA in the early 1970s. The software outputs the data into 3D models, converting blade measurements to contemporary standards for easy identification.
While Dogga intended to market the technology to engineering students as an educational tool, one of the Venture Lab’s entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) identified another avenue.
"Andy Foerster suggested I market the capability of DigiE3Turbo to industry leaders as a search engine to accurately identify and order replacement parts for large turbine blades,” Dogga said. “I recognized this as a valuable tool in the fields of aerospace and HVAC maintenance and pivoted my original application.”
The pitch
Brainstorming sessions with EIRs and access to market data from UC libraries helped to solidify the market potential of Dogga’s refined idea.
Dogga then applied the business knowledge gained from EIRs and classroom lessons to create a pitch deck. On graduation day, he presented his concept and asked attendees to make formal introductions that could lead to informational interviews with organizations such as General Electric, Hussmann and Siemens, which might be interested in the technology.
“As an engineer, I was encouraged to try new things, take some risks and think creatively,” Dogga said. “I am grateful that UC is part of the Cincinnati Innovation District, offering an asset like the pre-accelerator program and innovation challenges that provided me with hands-on experience collaborating with business mentors and leaders."
Dogga is now looking to conduct case studies, gain additional insights and develop best practices in the industry to employ DigiE3Turbo’s technology. His goal is to provide a tool for maintenance engineers to digitize antiquated data and accurately order replacement blades when repairing engines.
Getting started
Is it a business opportunity or just a good idea? Here’s why market research is key.
Through the 1819 Innovation Hub — UC’s front door to business — the University of Cincinnati connects corporations, small businesses and startup companies to a variety of business development services. With expert assistance, you can learn how to start, run and grow your business; test new business ideas; pursue executive education courses and more.
Contact Ben Dogga.
Related Stories
Cincinnati researchers want to know if MRIs can work better
June 28, 2024
![WVXU logo](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/wvxu.png)
WVXU and the Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted a new collaboration between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, UC Health GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
UC 1819 Innovation Hub workshop spreads AI awareness
June 28, 2024
Microsoft and Disrupt Now joined forces to run a June 24-27 seminar at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub teaching Cincinnati residents how to responsibly use AI.
University of Cincinnati, UC Health collaborate with GE HealthCare on MRI research center
June 26, 2024
The University of Cincinnati and UC Health are collaborating with GE HealthCare, JobsOhio, REDI Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s to create an MRI Research and Development Center of Excellence located on UC’s medical campus.
UC grad’s innovative tech to manage ER wait times
June 25, 2024
When launching Teravus, a health care triage management startup, Jason Murray turned to the University of Cincinnati's Center for Entrepreneurship and the 1819 Venture Lab for guidance and funding.
UC grad’s innovative design creates van life 2.0
June 20, 2024
Recktenwald combined his passion for adventure with a desire for versatility to birth Freedom Fans, a startup venture that mixes a camper van’s roof vent with a skylight.
New AI predicts anxiety levels
June 18, 2024
A new form of artificial intelligence was developed that uses a short picture rating task and a small set of contextual variables to predict whether someone is experiencing anxiety.
UC Tech Transfer recognized in Top 100 for US patents
June 18, 2024
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recognized the University of Cincinnati for its significant contributions to innovation and intellectual property protection in American universities. This accolade is a testament to UC's unwavering commitment to innovation by the Technology Transfer Office, or Tech Transfer.
UC creates voice-coaching app for gender expression
June 14, 2024
Engineers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a free voice-coaching app to help transgender and gender-diverse people sound more masculine or feminine.
UC engineering students compete in aero design competition
June 12, 2024
The University of Cincinnati has hundreds of student organizations, dozens of which are majority engineering students. This spring, the UC Aerocats flew two aircraft iin the annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Aero Design competition.
NKY company faces skilled labor shortage
June 11, 2024
![Business Courier logo.](/content/dam/refresh/uc-news/news-icons/dark/cin-business-courier.png)
The Business Courier highlighted an engineering academy for high school students sponsored by GE Aerospace and administered by UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science.