Case Study: AI Transforming UCI’s New Venture Competition’s Data

Discover how Disko AI by TranDev transformed UCI’s Startup Competition by leveraging AI-driven matchmaking to boost team formations and startup quality. Learn about our innovative approach and success in utilizing existing data for impactful results. Contact TranDev to revolutionize your business with data-driven insights!

Background

At TranDev, we live for solving quirky problems with innovative solutions. UCI’s New Venture Competition (NVC) needed a major upgrade to boost the quality and success of their startups. Their bright idea? Leverage students’ personalities, hobbies, and skills to pre-network and create stronger teams. This is where Disko AI, our brainchild, came into play.

The Challenge

UCI’s NVC had a treasure trove of data buried in Google Sheets—student profiles, skills, interests, you name it. But all this data was just collecting digital dust. They needed a way to use this goldmine to form killer teams and connect students with top-notch mentors, ultimately producing startups that could blow the judges away.

The Solution: Disko AI for Intelligent Matchmaking

Disko AI to the rescue! Our AI-powered matchmaking system was designed to turn piles of data into dynamic, effective teams. Here’s how we did it:

Technology Stack:

• Cosine Similarity: For calculating the similarity between student profiles based on skills and interests.
• ChatGPT: To generate insightful team dynamics and fun icebreaker questions.
• React & Firebase: For a slick, user-friendly portal where students could enter their profiles and get matched with the perfect teammates and mentors.
• LinkedIn Integration: To facilitate instant networking.

Key Features:

• Profile Matching: Using cosine similarity to find the best matches based on skills, interests, and hobbies.
• AI Insights: ChatGPT provided deeper insights into team dynamics and potential success.
• Icebreaker Questions: Personalized questions to get conversations flowing and teams bonding.

Implementation

The journey was as intense as a startup pitch, but the rewards were immense. Here’s a peek into our process:

Data Analysis and Cleaning: First, we dove into the Google Sheets. We cleaned and structured the data, readying it for our AI models.

Developing the Portal: We built an intuitive portal using React and Firebase. Students could easily input their profiles, ensuring high engagement and usability.

AI Integration: Our AI models were seamlessly integrated into the portal. Cosine similarity scored the matches, and ChatGPT provided valuable insights and icebreakers.

Testing and Optimization: We tested the system with a subset of students, made tweaks based on feedback, and optimized for accuracy and user experience.

Results

The results were nothing short of spectacular:

• Data Utilization: Leveraged over 10 million data points from hundreds of student profiles.
• Enhanced Team Formation: Judges noted a significant improvement in the quality of startups.
• Successful Event: The event was a hit, with other businesses wanting to incorporate our technology into their networking events.
• Increased Engagement: Personalized insights and icebreakers helped teams bond and collaborate effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Leveraging Existing Data: By utilizing existing data, we created a powerful tool that significantly improved team formations and overall event success.
• AI Integration: Combining cosine similarity and ChatGPT provided a robust solution for intelligent matchmaking, setting a new standard for team formation in competitions.
• Scalability: The system’s success at UCI’s NVC highlights its potential for broader applications in other educational and professional networking events.

Conclusion

Disko AI showcases the transformative power of AI in optimizing team formations and enhancing networking events. At TranDev, we’re all about turning data into impactful solutions. Our experience with Disko AI in projects like the FractionBall project underscores our ability to tackle complex data challenges and create robust digital solutions.

Why Choose TranDev?

Because we’re not just a data agency; we’re your quirky, tech-savvy partners in success. Whether you’re drowning in data or just looking to enhance decision-making with advanced analytics, TranDev is here to help. Contact us today and let us transform your data into actionable insights that drive your business forward with precision and confidence.

Reach out to TranDev today to explore how our data agency can help your company navigate and thrive in the age of information.