Junior Entrepreneur to Compete in Rice Business Plan Competition

Bourgeois, a computer science major from Metairie, Louisiana, and his business partner, Andrew Bradford, a marketing major at the University of New Orleans, launched Automatic AI LLC in March 2023. The company blends Apple Watch technology and artificial intelligence to create sports training apps.

The Rice Business Plan Competition is the world's largest student startup contest, and this is the first time an Ole Miss team has been chosen to participate. Automatic AI will compete in the Digital Enterprise track, where the partners will pitch their venture for a chance at more than $250,000 in funding.

"Julien's selection for the prestigious Rice Business Plan Competition is a testament to his vision, dedication and relentless pursuit of innovation," said Tong Meng, program director for the UM Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. "Our center's faculty, staff and mentors are incredibly excited for Julien and his team, as they have demonstrated true entrepreneurial grit by refining their product, expanding their network and securing key funding opportunities."

Automatic AI's first product is Basketball Trainer, an Apple Watch app that uses motion sensors and AI technology to track and analyze the wearer's basketball shots in real time, giving athletes instant feedback on their shooting mechanics.

Automatic AI has already scored several milestones:

• Student Incubator Resident status at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Funding from the Rebel Student Venture Fund
• First place at StartupUNO, the University of New Orleans' inaugural student pitch competition
• First place at the Ole Miss 2023 Servin' the South Business Model Competition and winner of the Best Technology Utilization/Development Award
• Finalist in the Arkansas Governor's Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, set to take place April 14-16 in Little Rock.

"Participating in these competitions is great," said Bourgeois, the firm's CEO. "However, here at Automatic, we remain focused on what truly matters in the long run: building our network, improving our products, refining our marketing strategy, strengthening our team and planning for our future."

"A student startup can pitch in as many competitions as they want, but it doesn't matter how or to whom they pitch unless they've done the work to actually grow their business.

As the duo prepares to compete April 10-12 at Rice University, they look forward to the chance to pitch Automatic AI to investors, gain advice from mentors and secure funding for their venture.

"We are proud to support their journey and look forward to following their success in the years ahead," Meng said.

Top: Automatic AI provides instant feedback via an app on a user’s basketball shot, helping them to improve their game in real-time. Submitted photo