Aqua Insight started as a simple homework assignment in the Lavin Entrepreneurship program. Gabriela and I were working on the project when Gabby suggested we apply for a competition, and I was immediately on board. Together, we brought two more teammates. Jhaime and Jonah. Into the fold, and Aqua Insight began to take shape. Our idea revolved around using artificial intelligence to analyze water data, presenting it in a way that anyone could easily understand and act on.

Our concept included a water quality monitor designed to detect multiple chemicals and contaminants in water. The data collected would be analyzed by our software, powered by ChatGPT’s API, transforming it into clear insights so users could take action to improve water quality.

We took this idea to major competitions like the Chinyeh Hostler Social Venture Challenge and the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge, presenting in front of an audience of around 300 people, including investors. These competitions pushed us to refine our pitch and strengthened our passion for the project.

We also joined SDSU’s ZIPLaunchpad, an incubator that supports startups with funding, mentorship, and resources. Over the course of three months, we worked tirelessly on the idea, refining the interface and building a framework to connect the water monitor’s physical data with our software. My focus was on designing the app and ensuring that our analytical tools were both functional and user-friendly.

Despite our best efforts, we realized through surveys and customer research that Aqua Insight wasn’t gaining the traction we hoped for. It was a valuable lesson in knowing when to pivot, and though we decided not to continue with the project, the experience taught us so much about entrepreneurship, product development, and customer validation.