In 2022, I founded Ecoverse, a mission-driven business aimed at providing unique high-quality customized logos, designs, and merchandise using AI Art. The inspiration for Ecoverse stemmed from observing the struggles of student-run organizations in advertising their missions to the wider community. These organizations often found it challenging to attract volunteers, engage with community members, and initiate partnerships with other entities.

Ecoverse was created to address this issue by offering effective branding strategies. Our goal was to assist organizations without logos, those facing branding difficulties, and those lacking support by providing them with distinctive logos, customized t-shirts for fundraising, and an online presence through major social media outlets. We focused on providing pre-designed templates as well, for those not wanting to create their own logos. Additionally, one key aspect of Ecoverse was its fundraising efforts, where we began to fundraise for other businesses and organizations through customized Ecoverse merchandise.

Our Ecoverse team did not go without its struggles. As the leader of my team in the Conrad Challenge, an international entrepreneurship and innovation competition, I encountered challenges in conveying what the new Ecoverse’s goals were and how it was different from the previous year’s iteration. Additionally, we faced struggles differentiating how the Ecoverse platform would function for different kinds of customers, such as individuals like high schoolers looking for low cost designs for school projects or clubs, or the more traditional small business looking for a company logo.

Eventually, we were able to streamline the process, allowing for customers to customize through our site and by contacting us directly. Through each process, we were able to attract our very first customers. After receiving our very first orders, two customized pens for a restaurant in DC, I truly understood the impact and realization that Ecoverse was a legitimate business. It was a proud moment when our team was able to send our very first invoice and order through.

Not only that, our participation in the Conrad Challenge marked a significant milestone for SRCC. With Ecoverse as our project, we received the semi-finalist "Innovator Award" among over 950+ teams from 50+ countries. This achievement demonstrated not only our dedication but also a validation of our ability to innovate and make an impact in the entrepreneurial landscape. We are soon awaiting the results for the 2024 Conrad Challenge as well. We will be looking forward to writing more about Ecoverse and expanding its audience to help more people!

Looking ahead, the vision for Ecoverse remains rooted in supporting both local and national organizations in raising awareness for their causes and missions.