UPEI Business student wins NBIF’s Breakthru competition

Newpy, a social networking app created by fourth-year UPEI Business student Erin O’Halloran and her sister Alana, won the top national prize at the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) Breakthru competition. Breakthru is a biennial start-up competition where more than 60 teams compete for the chance to win $300,000 in business funding.

Newpy is a social network app for posting photos of products that are hidden inside digital packaging. The digital packaging designs grab attention and spark curiosity as to what is inside. Newpy offers two types of digital packaging—variety, which are ever-changing, unique designs to reflect the user’s interests, and custom, which are specifically tailored to reflect a company’s brand. Custom digital packaging showcases the company’s name or logo directly on the packaging. Companies will now have a choice: they can choose to hope that good photos of their products are taken, or they can guarantee with Newpy that every photo posted will grow their brand.

“This is an amazing win and the culmination of an innovative entrepreneurial project,” said Dr. Juergen Krause, dean of UPEI’s Faculty of Business. “We are very proud and wish the O’Halloran sisters great success with their start-up Newpy.”

The O’Hallorans were awarded first place last evening at a gala dinner in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Congratulations, Erin!

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.