June 24, 2024
Pitt Tank, presented by Pitt Information Technology (IT) and the Big Idea Center, provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to develop and pitch the next groundbreaking app for Pitt students. The first-place prize of Pitt Tank 2024 was awarded to Kenny Han, SCI ’25, and Krishna Naik, SCI ’25, for their lost-and-found app idea.
Han and Naik’s lost-and-found app idea allows Pitt students to easily report and find lost items. If a student loses their item on-campus, other students can take a photo and upload it to the app. Using location tracking technology, the app stores the lost item and its location onto its database, which students can browse and search to find their lost item. Once they find the item on the database, they can request their item back with a simple click of a button. Han and Naik created the idea based on their own experiences as Pitt students.
“The idea for a lost-and-found app stemmed from our personal experiences of losing numerous laptop chargers in Hillman Library and Sennott Square,” said Naik. “This award is a testament to the power of student-driven innovation. It shows that with the right resources, support, and platforms like Pitt Tank, students can turn their ideas into reality and make a tangible impact on their communities.”
Han and Naik’s positive experience with Pitt Tank demonstrates the countless opportunities students have to create meaningful change in the Pitt community. Han and Naik emphasize the value in participating in events like Pitt Tank.
“Competitions like Pitt Tank are crucial because they nurture a culture of innovation that spreads hope, curiosity, and an infectious entrepreneurial spirit throughout the university. Innovation drives the world forward, and it is essential for Pitt to invest in their students' potential. For students, these competitions serve as a vital resource and reminder that there is more to college than simply earning a degree; it is an opportunity to take risks and bet on yourself,” stated Naik.
“Pitt Tank was a very fun way to showcase our product. It promotes healthy competition among students, innovation, and active involvement with the school,” remarked Han. “Winning first-place felt very validating to all the hard work we put into our app.”
--Alyssa Morales