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CROST Biotech
Every trail has its challenges, but wondering if your water is safe shouldn’t be one of them. Filters help, but they aren’t foolproof.
CROST BioTech provides hikers with trustworthy, real-time water data, making every adventure feel a little safer and a lot more confident.
Keeping you confident from the first mile to the last.
Project Overview
TL;DR Edition
Overview
CROST Biotech is a capstone project focused on developing a startup concept and business plan for a real-time water quality testing solution designed to help outdoor enthusiasts make safer decisions about drinking from natural water sources.
The Problem
Outdoor recreation often requires people to rely on natural water sources, yet many assume clear, flowing water is safe to drink. Invisible contaminants can pose serious health risks, and existing solutions don’t always fit the needs of long-distance hikers and backpackers.
My Role
Strategy, Research & Presentation Lead
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Conducted market and user research to define a clear problem space
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Helped shape product positioning, target audience, and value proposition
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Led the development of the business plan and capstone presentation
Process (At a Glance)
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User and market research
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Problem framing and audience definition
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Product positioning and messaging
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Business plan development and storytelling
Outcome
Developed a cohesive startup concept, business plan, and investor-ready presentation that clearly communicates the problem, solution, and market opportunity for CROST Biotech.
What I Learned
This project strengthened my ability to translate complex scientific and market research into clear, compelling narratives, and reinforced the importance of aligning user needs, business strategy, and social impact.
Now... To make a short story long
The Capstone Course
The Rutgers MBS Capstone is a project-based course covering the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, innovation, commercialization, and intellectual property. Students are expected to work on team projects, analyze technology innovations, and create business cases/plans.
For my Capstone project, my team and I developed a theoretical startup, CROST BioTech, a water quality solution for thru-hikers and backpackers. I led the design and storytelling side of the venture, shaping our pitch deck, visuals, and final presentation.
Project Overview
The Lawrence County Federated Library System (LCFLS) supports multiple libraries across the county, serving diverse communities through shared resources and programming. This project was completed through the Rutgers MBS Externship, focusing on developing a cohesive brand identity that unifies the system while remaining welcoming and community-centered.
Before this work, LCFLS lacked a consistent visual identity, making it challenging to present the library system as a unified organization across print and digital materials.
This project blends brand strategy, visual design, and collaboration to create a flexible identity system that supports clarity, consistency, and long-term usability across library touch points.
CROST Biotech at a Glance
The Mission
Provide accessible, innovative water-quality testing solutions for outdoor enthusiasts and small communities through advanced, sustainable technology.
The Product
CROSTrek — a compact, app-connected device capable of testing multiple contaminants (bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chemical pollutants) with no extra supplies required.
Target Users
Thru-hikers, backpackers, health-conscious outdoor users, and communities with limited access to water testing resources.
Market Insights
Growing global interest in water safety and environmental health; consumers want real-time data to make safe decisions while outdoors.
Long Term Vision
Expand the product line, foster a global community of water-aware users, and become a leader in sustainable water-quality innovation.
The Project Documents
Reflection
This capstone course pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, and I’m walking away with a real sense of accomplishment. One of my biggest takeaways was how much I’ve grown, not just in skills but in confidence. At the start, I wasn’t sure how much I could contribute. Still, by the end, I found myself taking on key responsibilities, including editing and structuring our business plan and shaping the visual and storytelling elements of our pitch.
Working with my team on the venture pitch was the most positive group experience I’ve ever had. We met weekly on Zoom, kept up with each other on WhatsApp, and organized everything through Google Drive. I took the lead on making sure our presentation felt polished and cohesive, refining the script and ensuring our final pitch looked professional. The storytelling and marketing workshops were a huge help, and I loved applying what I learned about branding and design.
One of my proudest moments was presenting our final project, a ten-minute pitch in front of 100+ students, professors, and investors. That’s something I never thought I could do, but I did, and it felt like everything came together. I also realized how much I enjoy the creative side of UX design, something I want to explore further.
Looking back, this course challenged me to step up, trust my instincts, and embrace collaboration. I’m proud of the work I did, and I know the skills I gained, especially in design, branding, and storytelling, will stick with me.