Innovation Through Experience: Learning to Build, Create, and Compete at the Innovation Academy
By Ahan Soni
When I first joined the University of Florida Innovation Academy as a freshman, I really wasn’t sure what innovation would mean for me. I knew I liked to build things, solve problems, and explore new ideas, but I didn’t yet understand how powerful those experiences could become when combined with real-world challenges. Looking back now, some of the most important parts of my journey as an IA student were studying abroad in Ireland, competing in an innovation challenge with my friends, and preparing for internships that will shape the next stage of my career. Each experience pushed me to think differently about creativity, entrepreneurship, and what it means to turn ideas into real impact.
One of the most important experiences I had early on in the Innovation Academy was studying abroad in Ireland during my freshman fall. Living and studying in a completely different country challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. Instead of simply going to class, we were also encouraged to explore the culture, observe how businesses and communities operate, and think critically about how innovation shows up in everyday life. The class was centered around project-based learning, where we would be given weekly challenges along with a problem to solve. Using skills such as 3D CAD modeling software and understanding user feedback, we were able to build prototypes of our solutions and present them to the class. What made the experience especially meaningful was that it taught me that innovation isn’t just about technology or startups. Rather, it’s about seeing problems from new perspectives, learning from different environments, and adapting to unfamiliar situations. This mindset stuck with me long after returning to campus.
Another defining moment of my Innovation Academy experience came when my friends and I competed in the Blackstone LaunchPad Innovation Challenge in partnership with the Orlando Magic. The competition challenged students to develop and pitch innovative ideas that could create real impact. What started as something to do on a weekend with friends turned into an experience that completely reshaped how I saw the business world through innovation. The casual brainstorming session between friends quickly evolved into a full-scale project as we refined our concept, built our pitch, and prepared to present in front of judges.
We were tasked with creating a membership program to increase fan engagement for the Orlando Magic basketball team. My team and I developed and pitched a loyalty-based custom jersey program that won 1st place at the UF competition, and from there went on to win 2nd place at the statewide Florida level along with a cash prize. Winning this competition was an incredible moment for our team. But more importantly, the experience impressed upon me how powerful collaboration can be. We got to work with students from schools across Florida as well as the C-suite of the Orlando Magic team. My team received coaching from the director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at UF, Dr. Sierra Calhoun-Pollard, along with the mentorship of Sudhir Chapnerkar, former Vice President of Strategic Pricing at Xerox Corporation. These lessons have stayed with me far beyond the competition itself.
As I continue my journey through the Innovation Academy, I’m excited about what comes next. This fall, I’ll be taking the next step in my professional career by pursuing a cybersecurity internship that will allow me to apply what I’ve learned in real-world environments. If I could give one piece of advice to new students entering the Innovation Academy, it would be to take full advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Study abroad, enter competitions, collaborate with classmates, and start projects outside of school, even if you’re not sure where they’ll lead.
Being nominated as an Innovation Academy Trailblazer is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents the experiences, friendships, and challenges that have shaped my time at UF so far. The Innovation Academy has encouraged me to approach opportunities with curiosity and confidence. Whether it’s exploring new technologies, building entrepreneurial ventures, or working alongside industry professionals, I’ve learned that innovation thrives when you’re willing to experiment and learn from every experience.