Teen Entrepreneurs' Invention Wins Congressional App Challenge

PALM HARBOR, FL — Three Palm University High School students will start their senior year with their own business and recognition from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Tarpon Springs, for their ingenuity.

Ayush Pai, Krish Asknani and Alex Kranias created an app called Rentathon that won the Congressional App Challenge for Bilirakis' 12th Congressional District, which includes Pasco County and north Pinellas County.

Realizing the expense of purchasing digital photography and video equipment needed for temporary or even one-time use, the teens invented a person-to-person platform that allows users to rent out photography and digital equipment to one another.

"These students have demonstrated the ingenuity, innovation and problem-solving skills which will help them to be successful as young entrepreneurs," said Bilirakis. "I wish them continued success."

"Photography equipment is extremely expensive and costly for beginners, and a community-based rental system between members could greatly alleviate costs for this expensive hobby," said the teens in describing their Rentathon app, which they founded in September 2019.

More than 3,000 apps were submitted for the 2020 Congressional app challenge, with 300 winners announced. The national contest, which launched in 2015, displays the winning apps in the U.S. Capitol and on the House of Representatives website. Additionally, students are invited to the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C.

Students interested in entering the 2021 app challenge can click here.