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The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge is a year-long immersive learning opportunity where students envision, plan, launch, and scale eco-friendly ventures. Students submit their proposals, and chosen finalists pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. They’re given the chance to win up to $20,000 to launch their ventures.

Meet our 2023-24 finalists who will be pitching their ideas on April 19, 2024.

Oasis

Oasis is a sustainable gym model where members can come to benefit themselves and the environment around them through re-harnessing their own energy. Oasis gym makes use of workout equipment that absorbs the energy you produce and re-uses it to fuel your workout. Members can track their progress and the energy they are off-putting through their phone, while receiving a discounted membership costs with the more energy they create. With sustainable workout product sponsorships and educational opportunities, a sense of wellness and community can invite members to engage in a sustainable and eco-centered environment. While there is no current technology to completely run Oasis off gym equipment, we will replace the rest of the energy we need with more sustainable options, like solar, wind, and other options. While still a gym, we want to offer members a sustainable and environmentally centered space to interact with every day. A building designed to run completely off renewables provides a space where members can workout guilt free, knowing they are contributing to something greater than themselves.

Members: Natalie Bracamontes, Emma Pierce, Chase Amarosa, and James O'Reilly

Snailed It!

Snailedit! Farms goal is to be the first commercially operated snail farm in the midwest United States. The farm would provide an alternative protein source and help educate consumers on the benefits of eating escargot, which is full of nutrients and can be produced with low greenhouse gas emissions. The production process would also aim to be circular in its use and reuse of resources as snails can be used to compost and eliminate food waste, while their shells can be repurposed in various ways.

Members: Morgan Pechenick, Vivian Cossey, Kyle McCoy, and Abbey Haynes

The Leather Revolution

Creating a sustainable and circular business model to find a solution to animal exploitation and cruelty within the fashion business. We are creating an alternative to the leather, a very popular animal-based fabric. We aim to utilize SCOBY, a naturally sourced material derived from kombucha to create a fabric that is comparable to leather while also being sustainable. Additionally, we hope to have a recycling/trade in option within our business.

Members: Kamryn Adams, Lisa Petrillo, Clare Morrissey, and Emma Meister Bresnahan

Unicycle

UniCycle is a small-scale bike share program for Loyola University that allows students to rent their bikes out to other students. UniCycle would provide university students with an income and a sustainable form of transportation at a low cost and low environmental impact. This program would solve common student problems including short-distance transportation, finding an outlet for exercise, and generating an income with limited availability.

​Members: Sofia Carney, Ava Leathers, and Madeline Palmquist​