AssisTech SmartShower
(Startup was formerly named Shower Saver)
Virani Undergraduate School of Business at Rice University
Industry: AssistiveTech, AgeTech, HealthTech
Founding Student Name(s): Sasha Ovalle
Brief Description of Solution: Showering is one of the most basic daily activities, but for people who are elderly, disabled, or mobility-impaired, it can be an unmanageable and painful experience. To address this problem, I created SmartShower, a shower accessory that fits in between a standard shower arm and a user’s existing shower head, instantaneously enhancing it with Amazon Alexa-enabled voice-control functionality. Once a desired temperature mix is established, SmartShower ensures that future showers will be a completely hands-free experience, with no need to recalibrate shower knobs. SmartShower empowers independence and restores dignity and autonomy in personal hygiene — promoting good health, wellbeing, and (most importantly) safety.
Funding Dollars: Over $22,000 in grant funding awards to date
What led you to launch this venture? In my first innovation competition at the age of 10, I set my sights on producing a device that might improve quality of life for my uncle who was born with spina bifida, a condition that relegated him to a lifetime on crutches. Although I didn’t win, the motivation to help my uncle and special needs individuals like him has been ingrained in me ever since. This was the principle that ultimately guided me to create SmartShower.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far with this venture? Winning over $22,000 in grant funding has been my biggest accomplishment so far with SmartShower. These wins include the national Be More Fund competition ($10,000), the BizWorld.org YES! Accelerator ($5,000), the Inflection Grant from Long Journey Ventures ($2,000), the PDMA Global Student Innovation Challenge ($1,500) and the Blue Ocean Competition, the largest youth entrepreneurship competition in the world, in which I finished in the top 10 out of 9,800 entries from 161 countries.
How has your business-related major helped you further this startup venture? Majoring in business with a minor in entrepreneurship has given me a new skillset to continue SmartShower’s development.
From business modeling to understanding finance to identifying and quantifying market opportunities, my coursework has given me a new lens to apply to SmartShower — allowing me to better communicate its value proposition and make my business plan more comprehensive and compelling.
Which business class has been most valuable in building your startup and what was the biggest lesson you gained from it? Founder’s Journey (BUSI 360) with Kyle Judah, executive director of the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, was particularly impactful for me. Every Friday, Judah brought in founders as guest speakers to share their personal journeys leading a startup. Hearing directly from professional entrepreneurs and student founders who have benefited from the many resources at Lilie Lab was motivating and inspirational. The biggest lesson I learned was that good startup founders are defined not only by their successful ventures but by their failed ones — experiences that teach the importance of adaptability, resourcefulness and resilience.
What business professor made a significant contribution to your plans and why? New Enterprises (BUSI 369) and Financing the Startup Venture (BUSI 461) with Sophie Randolph have been instrumental in supporting my entrepreneurial efforts. Randolph serves as my advisor and has given me invaluable advice in crafting pitch decks, honing my pitch and guiding me as a successful founder herself. This past September, Randolph joined me in Chicago as I competed in the finals of the PDMA Global Student Innovation Competition and placed second. Having her in my corner is a definite advantage and a confidence booster.
What founder or entrepreneur inspired you to start your own entrepreneurial journey? How did he or she prove motivational to you? The entrepreneur who has served as my motivation and role model is Samara Hernandez, founding partner of Chingona Ventures. She navigated the world of investment banking, became a serial entrepreneur, and is now a successful venture capital investor who runs her own company. They say that seeing is believing. For me, as an aspiring Latina entrepreneur, seeing everything that Hernandez accomplished is truly inspiring. Every time I lose an entrepreneurial competition, I think of the challenges she has had to overcome in her pioneering journey, and it prods me to pick myself up, dust myself off, and compete again. Seeing her has made me a believer.
What is your long-term goal with your startup? My long-term goal is to guide SmartShower to a retail launch, making it available to the millions of people whose quality of life it can improve.
How has your local startup ecosystem contributed to your venture’s development and success? As an applicant, one of the most exciting and appealing aspects of attending Rice Business was the prospect of leveraging the many resources of Lilie. The reality of that vision is everything I had hoped for. I feel that I have a supportive network of professors around me who truly understand the challenges I face as a founder and who are anxious to help when I need it.
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