We’re thrilled to announce the finalists for the upcoming Make It in Brooklyn: Future of Transportation Pitch Contest! On Tuesday, November 12, these finalists will come together at Hana House to present their innovative ideas and solutions to a panel of transportation technology experts. Get your tickets now!
The finalists are:
AVOL
Avol is a medical drone delivery service for healthcare institutions that transports blood up to 11x faster than traditional couriers, operating through a network of rural droneports with proprietary long-range, high-capacity blended-wing drones. Avol focuses on enhancing logistics efficiency for healthcare institutions, and has secured 2 contracts with healthcare systems across five states.
POPWHEELS
PopWheels is building city-scale battery-swapping networks to solve the twin crises of affordability and safety for the thousands of delivery workers of NYC. PopWheels offers a subscription model where users can pay a subscription for unlimited battery swaps, with potential cost reductions through partnerships with delivery apps. The company leverages strong relationships with delivery workers and strategic alliances with delivery apps to drive its go-to market strategy.
KQUIKA
Kquika is transforming aviation maintenance with its AI-powered Trakt System, which helps airlines predict and prevent aircraft failures. Acting as a “health monitoring system” for aircrafts, the Trakt System can reduce costly unscheduled downtime by up to 30%. The system combines real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated compliance management to shift from reactive to proactive maintenance.
EZGlyd
EZGlyd offers a foldable three-wheel cargo scooter designed for underserved urban residents, providing a compact and efficient transportation solution. The scooter features a rain cover and can be stored vertically to save space when not in use. By addressing the transportation needs of underserved communities, this innovative scooter aims to improve mobility while conserving space in urban environments.
MEET THE JUDGES
PHIL HWANG
Phil is a business development and operations specialist with over 9 years of executive experience at venture-backed tech firms that support New York City’s social impact ecosystem. At Dollaride, Phil leads the charge of communicating with and learning the needs of commuter van drivers, fleet owners, and corporate buyers of transportation related services. His work has facilitated resource allocation, community buy-in, and contracting in partnership with the beneficiaries of New York State-funded programs.
Judy Chang
Judy Chang is an urban planner with 12 years of experience in the transportation sector. For over a decade at the New York City Department of Transportation she focused on planning for resilient infrastructure and building out city streets and curbs for more than just cars. She is now the Project Director at itselectric, a Brooklyn-based startup focusing on bringing building-powered, Level 2 EV charging infrastructure in order to more rapidly usher in EV adoption in cities across the country.
PATRICK KNOTH
Patrick Knoth is General Manager of Citi Bike, where he oversees the bikeshare system’s strategy, operations, marketing, product launches, and expansion, including growing the system to more than 2,200 stations and 15,000 e-bikes this year. He previously worked at the Boston Consulting Group and Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Patrick holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Harvard College. He serves on Brooklyn Greenway Initiative’s Technical Advisory Committee and was named to City & State’s “Transportation 100” and amNY’s “Power Players in Transportation.” A Boerum Hill resident, Patrick is frequently spotted riding in the Dean Street bike lane.
Jannie GAO
Dr. Jannie Gao is a transportation expert with over 10 years of experience. As Assistant Director of Research at the C2SMARTER University Transportation Center at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, she helped secure a $15M grant to address traffic congestion. Dr. Gao has led projects totaling over $2 million in funding from federal and local agencies, focusing on emerging technologies and urban analytics for smart transportation. Previously, she worked at NYCDOT on planning and project coordination. In 2023, she was named in Who’s Who America in Professional Women and received the Dr. Louis J. Pignataro Memorial Transportation Education Award and the National Leadership Legacy Award from WTS-GNY in 2019.
DULCIE CANTON
Dulcie Canton is the Sales Manager of CLIP! She loves and advocates for bike riding and multi-modal transportation options because they support healthier lifestyles and also helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.
emcee: jared ais
Jared is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelors of Science in Urban Planning & Design and a Masters of City & Regional Planning. He is currently an Urban Planner in the New York City region. During his free time, Jared produces New York City-based content on TikTok (@TransitTalks) discussing fun facts and historical commentary on the region’s transportation services and infrastructure. During his free time, Jared enjoys exploring the urban realm, catching a movie with his partner, and enjoying queer nightlife. He also ventures to Boston two weekends a month to visit his partner where he enjoys quality time with him and his dog, and experiencing Boston’s transit and recreation.
