Volunteer work helping people with disabilities inspired Chaewon Yoon’s edge idea that claimed top honors at the recent Culver Business Model Competition at University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.
Yoon pitched Curb Map, an AI-powered platform designed to transform 2D images and drawings into high-precision 3D models while elevating the quality of raw, amateur sketches to professional standards. The idea integrates advanced 2D-to-3D conversion, automated texture application, multi-view generation and a unique refinement model that enhances low-quality, hand-drawn inputs.
Yoon, born in South Korea and was raised in Vienna, Austria, during elementary and middle school, where she had the opportunity to volunteer during a school-supported community event assisting individuals with disabilities during programs and activities.
“During that period, I started to recognize how many everyday spaces are difficult to navigate—not because people lack ability, but because our environments aren’t designed to be accessible,” she said. “That early awareness is what planted the seed for what eventually became Curb Map 360.”
Yoon expects to graduate in May 2028. For her winning pitch, she earned a $3,000 prize (which was doubled by judge and UWO alumnus Craig Culver), as well as in-kind donations.
As top finisher, Yoon also had a stop at Fox Valley of the Pitch as well as the 2025 WiSys Big Idea Tournament business pitch events. Though she didn’t earn additional honors at the events, she felt it was a valuable experience that helped refine her Curb Map 360 project.
Taking second was Jhanik Posnanski, a business management student planning to graduate in May 2028. He pitched Zin Tin as a simple, effective method to eliminate nicotine pouch littering.
Second place took home $1,500 in prize money (amount also was doubled by Craig Culver) and in-kind donations.
Emma Hady, an education major who plans to graduate in May 2028, earned third place with her Haddy RB Southdowns a small niche show-sheep operation. Third place won $500 in prize money (amount also was doubled by Craig Culver) and in-kind donations.
