Colby Sonnier

Building Technology That Solves Real Problems

I'm an Electrical Engineering & Finance student at UL Lafayette, combining technical skills with entrepreneurial vision. From founding Realti—a real estate technology startup—to developing embedded systems for aerospace projects, I focus on creating solutions that bridge hardware and software to address real-world challenges.

Speaking with attendees at a pitch event (local hardware/AI community)
Networking at a pitch competition

About

I'm driven by the intersection of technology and real-world problem solving. As a dual-major student in Electrical Engineering and Finance, I've learned to bridge technical implementation with business strategy. My experience ranges from founding a real estate technology startup to developing embedded systems for aerospace applications, always with a focus on creating practical solutions.

This portfolio showcases projects where hardware meets software, entrepreneurship meets engineering, and theory becomes tangible solutions that people can actually use.

Location
Lafayette, LA

Skills

Technical and business skills I use to build real-world solutions.

Programming

  • Python
  • Swift & SwiftUI
  • Java
  • C++
  • JavaScript

Embedded Systems

  • Arduino IDE
  • ESP32
  • Circuit Simulation
  • Logisim
  • GPS & GSM modules

Data & Analytics

  • Database Management
  • Data Visualization
  • Analytics Pipelines
  • Backend Integration
  • Real-time Data

Business & Leadership

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Team Leadership
  • Product Development
  • Real Estate
  • Startup Incubation

Projects

Engineering solutions that bridge hardware and software, from embedded systems to mobile applications.

Real-Time Navigation & Tracking System

ESP32-based GPS + GSM tracking system with MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope integration. Built backend infrastructure for real-time data collection and transmission to mobile/desktop applications.

ESP32GPS/GSMIoT

Home Security System

Arduino-based security system with infrared sensor intrusion detection and password-protected interface. Triggers alarm on incorrect entry attempts.

ArduinoInfrared SensorsC++

iOS Real Estate App

Full-stack iOS application for real estate investors with property data scraping, analytics, and user-friendly visualization. Includes database management and backend integrations.

Swift/SwiftUIiOSFull-Stack

Experience

Founder, Realti — Lafayette, LA (2022–2025)

Founded and led a real estate technology startup, managing a 3-person developer team. Designed, launched, and onboarded users onto an iOS application for real estate investors; handled full-stack technical development including data integration, backend database management, analytics pipelines, and user-facing visualizations. Selected as Top 5 startup pitch at Innovate South Tech Tank 2025; placed 2nd at Opportunity Machine pitch competition. Accepted into Opportunity Machine incubator on full scholarship; mentored by a Google engineer and UL Lafayette Dean of Computing.

Licensed Real Estate Agent — Lafayette, LA (2021–2022)

Earned Louisiana real estate license and represented clients in property transactions. Gained first-hand experience in business development, sales, and marketing while managing client relationships. Identified inefficiencies in the investor homebuying process, which directly informed the concept and design of Realti. Leveraged industry knowledge to translate real-world real estate challenges into technical product solutions.

Member, Cajun Advanced Picosatellite Experiment (CAPE) — UL Lafayette (2025–Present)

Collaborating on aerospace and embedded systems projects including weather balloons and ground stations. Developing a weather balloon payload with environmental sensors and telemetry chips for live data collection.

Contact

Interested in embedded systems, entrepreneurship, or real estate technology? Let's connect.