From a class project to presenting in California
If someone had told us a year ago that we'd be standing at Stanford University, pitching our idea in front of professors, investors, and global innovators — we probably wouldn't have believed it.
And yet, here we are. This is the story of how a class project turned into something much bigger.
It all started at university
We first found out about the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge through our professor Katja Udir Mišič and assistant Sara Kolman. As part of our coursework, we were introduced to the concept of Design Thinking — and we decided to use this challenge as our case study.
What followed was a full process:
- Researching the problem of generational disconnect
- Conducting interviews with families, kids, and older adults
- Brainstorming dozens of solutions
As engineers, we naturally leaned toward a digital product at first — an app, a platform, maybe some kind of interactive tool.
What is the Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge?
Before diving into our solution, it's worth explaining what this challenge actually is. The Stanford Center on Longevity Design Challenge is a global competition that invites students and young innovators to tackle one of society's biggest shifts: population aging.
The challenge focuses on creating solutions that help people live longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. But it's not just about technology for older adults — it's about designing for all ages, recognizing that longevity affects everyone, from children to seniors.
What makes this challenge unique is its emphasis on intergenerational solutions. They're looking for ideas that bring different age groups together, rather than separating them. This focus on connection and collaboration across generations is what drew us to the challenge in the first place.
Teams from universities worldwide submit their ideas, and the top finalists are invited to present at Stanford University. With over 200 teams participating from 30+ countries, the competition is both global and highly competitive.
The unexpected idea
While working on our concept, we attended a local startup event. And that's where it hit us: What if it wasn't digital at all? What if it was a board game? Something physical. Tangible. Personal. A tool that brought generations to the same table — literally.
That moment changed everything. But it also created our biggest challenge.
The prototype race against time
Once we decided on the board game concept, we faced a major hurdle: we had to create a working prototype before traveling to the USA. This meant designing, testing, and validating our game idea in a very short timeframe.
We went through countless iterations — different card designs, various game mechanics, multiple rule sets. Every version seemed promising in theory, but choosing the final one to take to Stanford? That was the hardest part.
We could have spent months perfecting different versions in our heads, debating what users might like or dislike. But the deadline forced us to make a crucial decision: pick one version and test it with real people.
Sending it to Stanford
Once we refined our idea, we submitted it to the Stanford Challenge — one of over 229 teams from 30+ countries.
We didn't think we'd make it far. But in January, the email arrived: We were in the Top 8. And we were going to Stanford.
Presenting on a global stage
Standing there, presenting our project at Stanford University, was surreal. We shared the stage with incredible teams from around the world — all of them working on meaningful, impactful ideas.
The experience went beyond just presentations. We had lunch with the judges, exchanged ideas with other teams, and witnessed some truly innovative solutions to global challenges. Most importantly, we were assigned a mentor from Stanford — Larry Bonistalli — who provided (and still providing) invaluable guidance throughout our journey.
We weren't just pitching a product. We were sharing a mission — to bridge generations, encourage storytelling, and bring back the joy of human connection.
The biggest lesson learned
This experience taught us something crucial that every entrepreneur and creator should know: stop overthinking and start testing.
Too many people waste time wondering what their users might like or dislike, creating endless iterations in their minds. We learned that it's far better to build one version and test it with real target users, then improve based on actual feedback.
The deadline forced us to make decisions, and that constraint turned out to be a gift. Sometimes the best thing that can happen to your project is a deadline that stops you from over-iterating.
What's next
We're continuing to develop Mission of Generations, playtest it with real families, and prepare for our first public launch. With ongoing mentorship from Larry Bonistalli and support from our university team, the feedback has been inspiring — and we're more motivated than ever to make this something that lives in homes, schools, and communities.
If you want to learn more about the game mechanics and follow our development journey, visit www.missionofgenerations.com where we share updates, playtesting stories, and behind-the-scenes content.
From a school assignment to Stanford, from research interviews to intergenerational laughter around the table — this has already been an unforgettable journey.
And we're just getting started.
— Ivana & the Mission of Generations Team