Florida News Straight From the Source
The U.S. military is turning to interdisciplinary teams of students from Florida Polytechnic University to help solve some of its most pressing challenges. [Read more…] about National security partnership has Florida Poly students solving military problems
Florida Polytechnic University has taken on a new initiative to support high schools throughout the state by providing a virtual network of trained learning assistants. [Read more…] about Florida Poly launches innovative STEM support for high schools
A new scholarship named for Florida Polytechnic University Trustee Frank T. Martin is designed to provide more opportunity to African American students and help them achieve their STEM career ambitions. [Read more…] about Scholarship named for departing Trustee creates opportunity for African American students
As COVID-19 continues to impact the job market, Florida Polytechnic University is partnering with tech giant Microsoft to provide students and job seekers the tools they’ll need to adapt and succeed in the current work environment. [Read more…] about Florida Poly and Microsoft partner to help community succeed in turbulent job market
Students considering Florida Polytechnic University for their educational home this fall are now able to schedule an in-person visit to see its iconic campus up close in a safe way. [Read more…] about Florida Poly hosting safe, individual campus visits for prospective students
A team of Florida Polytechnic University students is using technology to convert the beauty and grace of dance into an innovative, stunning work of art. [Read more…] about Florida Poly engineering students add a new dimension to dance
While many events in the community have been canceled in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one of Florida Polytechnic University’s richest student traditions will continue in a virtual environment. [Read more…] about Florida Poly seniors present industry solutions in virtual Capstone Design Showcase
Fifty companies gathered at the Innovation, Science, and Technology building in Lakeland this week for the annual spring career fair, looking to fill countless positions with the high-tech, high-skilled talent Florida Polytechnic University produces. [Read more…] about Dozens of companies seek high-skilled STEM talent at Florida Poly career fair
For Andre Ripley ’19, Facebook provides much more than a way to stay connected to friends and family.
The social media and technology company is giving him a chance at a lucrative career and success as a tech entrepreneur.
Ripley, who graduated from Florida Polytechnic University with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, was awarded a $120,000 partnership deal with Facebook and Oculus VR to develop and run virtual reality gaming tournaments for the new Pistol Whip VR game. His company, Virtualities, will track elements such as players, prize money, teams, rules, and cheating.
“We negotiated with Facebook for probably four months and we finally closed the deal on New Year’s Day,” said Ripley, chief technology officer of the Salt Lake City, Utah, company. “That was a great start to the year.”
Virtualities is hoping to land a $1 million deal with Facebook this spring.
“We have to launch our platform and meet all the requirements for Facebook and as long as we keep our platform running, we have a good chance of closing the million-dollar deal,” Ripley said. “We’re almost done and ahead of schedule right now.”
Ripley said the traditional way of running gaming tournaments involves many people working on spreadsheets to track scores and other data.
“That’s really outdated and hasn’t been automated. Since the demand for esports is getting higher, we’re trying to solve that with the Facebook deal,” Ripley said.
The U.S Virgin Island native said that Virtualities ran a Beat Saber tournament last year with competitors from 78 countries.
“With the power of Facebook, I can’t imagine how many people will compete in the Pistol Whip tournament, but we’re prepared for anything,” Ripley said. “I never expected to be funded by Facebook – my first round of funding was from my dad, who gave me $300 to develop a prototype for a box that does appraisals for diamonds.”
In addition to his work with the growing tech start-up, Ripley also works with flight simulators as a software engineer at Collins Aerospace in Salt Lake City.
Ripley discovered his passion for entrepreneurship at Florida Poly after being encouraged to enter – and win – several entrepreneurship competitions throughout Central Florida and the state. This included a third-place victory in the 2018 Governor’s Cup competition with his team’s product, Insta-List – a product that captured, scanned, and listed items for digital selling in less than 10 seconds. His collegiate victories earned him 20,000 LinkedIn followers and a thirst to continue his efforts.
“The single best thing I’ve done was getting involved with the entrepreneurship program at Florida Poly because you don’t even need to have the best idea or be completely thought through, you just have to try and get feedback,” Ripley said.
“Even when I’ve failed it’s like I’ve won because I got crucial feedback and I implemented it into the Facebook deal.”
For the most recent university news, visit Florida Poly News.
About Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Connect with Florida Poly.
For the first time, students and alumni will have representation on the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board of Directors. [Read more…] about Florida Poly Foundation Board brings student and alumni to the table
