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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.​