The winner of the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Next Idea competition, “TaxiTreats,” is a vending machine for cabs that could provide passengers with energy drinks, snack bars, gum, mints and over-the-counter pain relievers.

The concept was developed by NYU Stern School of Business MBA candidate Brian Shimmerlik and Universidad de Buenos Aires student Tomas Grosskopf, who envisioned the machine mounted to the back of the driver’s partition next to the TV screens that feature in the new cab models.

The pair were awarded with $17,500, free office space to help realize their initiative, and networking opportunities with New York City-based investors, entrepreneurs, professors, and government officials.

NYC Next Idea