More than 40 innovators gathered at NextCorps for the first-ever AI Startup Jam, a high-energy weekend challenge to turn ideas into working software prototypes using the latest AI tools. Supported by a grant from the Springboard Prize Competition and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the event combined hands-on learning, build sprints, and mentorship to help participants bring their concepts to life.
The Jam was led by Matt Foley, NextCorps Director of Startup Incubation; Dustin Wilson, Startup Community Manager; and JJ Englert, AI Builder and Enablement Expert. From late Friday through Sunday, participants explored AI-powered development platforms, collaborated with peers and mentors, and built functional apps. Thanks to credits donated by Lovable, an AI platform that allows anyone to create apps through natural language, attendees could prototype without limits.
By Sunday, more than 30 attendees—nearly everyone who started—presented their work before an audience of peers and a panel of NextCorps Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) serving as judges.
Foley said the weekend exceeded expectations.
“It was amazing to see people from all different walks of life, ages, experiences, and technical backgrounds actually create something from scratch using AI tools,” he said. “Just a few years ago, this kind of prototyping would’ve taken months or cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
Celebrating the winning concepts
1st Place ($1,000 & NextCorps Associate Membership): Closet OS
An AI-powered digital styling app designed by Kyla Brown to scale her expertise as an image consultant and transform the self-image of brilliant women everywhere. Brown is also a tech consultant and content creator for It’s Kyla Not Kayla LLC.
“My background is in tech, and I’ve always wanted to align that with my passion for fashion,” Brown said. “The rise of AI created the perfect moment to explore how personal styling could evolve into something bigger.”
2nd Place ($500): ReSpeak
A speech practice companion that helps accelerate the recovery of stroke victims, developed by Manasvi Patwa, a senior data scientist and AI engineer at Health Care Originals.
3rd Place ($250): Nest Egg
A friendly budgeting app for younger people to manage their finances, designed by Jack Heltzel, a St. John Fisher University student working toward a B.S. in Finance with a minor in Computer Science.
Collaboration that fuels innovation
When asked if they would participate in the Jam again, more than three-quarters of attendees raised their hands, a reflection of the energy and enthusiasm the weekend inspired. For many, the opportunity to learn from one another was just as valuable as exploring new tools.
“The best part was learning from both the instructor and my peers,” Brown said. “Everyone brought different experiences and perspectives. Working together helps you go further than working alone.”
Throughout the weekend, teams discovered how AI can lower the barrier to entry for aspiring entrepreneurs, enabling anyone, regardless of technical background, to bring their ideas to life faster and with greater confidence.
Building what’s next
The AI Startup Jam demonstrated the strength of Rochester’s innovation ecosystem—creative, curious, and ready to lead in the AI era.
“Events like this show just how powerful these tools have become,” Foley said. “People can now test ideas in days that would’ve once taken months, which opens the door for even more entrepreneurship.”
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