2019 Innovation Challenge Winners

Introduction to Innovation Challenge

The Innovation Challenge encourages students to develop innovative ideas with the chance to compete for over $21,000 in cash and prizes. Teams compete in the social impact, graduate research or entrepreneurship tracks. This year over 100 students created over 40 teams. The Nice Center and the NDSU Research and Technology Park collaborated to host the event with the support from over 30 businesses who generously donated to the event.

New this year, participation was expanded to include Tri-College student participants and beyond and was moved to the fall semester for the very first time. The Innovation Challenge provides students the opportunity to learn through practical applications, develop their skills, and level up their resume.

The 2019 Innovation Challenge started back in September and started with over 40 teams and more than 100 participants. Recently, the Innovation Challenge finals was held and the winners have been announced. First place received $2,500, second place received $2,000, third place received $1,500 and honorable mentions received $500.

Innovation Challenge Bootcamps

Scott Meyer, Ozbun Executive Director of Entrepreneurship at NDSU, provided three bootcamps in-person and also provided virtual sessions to help prepare participants for the Innovation Challenge Showcase and Finals Pitch. This allowed even the busiest of participants to access them. You can watch them below. (Apparently, he likes to wear blue.)

2019 Innovation Challenge Winners

Here are the winners from the 2019 Innovation Challenge by track.

Entrepreneurship Track

1. DeBard Engineering — Korie DeBardlabon and Ashlin Hickman of North Dakota State University (NDSU); $2,500 prize
2. Course Vision — Rahil Pereira, Michael Mach, and Shawn Kontrec of Minnesota State University Moorhead; $2,000 prize
3. MycMen — Nicholas Brodenof NDSU and Jaclyn Rindy of Mayville State; $1,500 prize

Honorable Mentions

• Customer Engagement Strategies — Luke Stetler, Mason Stetler of Baylor University; $500 prize
• Aura Air — Samantha Schultz, Dieumerci Christel, Mohammed Ahmed, and Terra Thiel of NDSU; $500 prize

Social Track

1. PolymeR3 — Martin Eichers, Jeremy Warzecka, Ryder Belgarde, and Evan Wurden of NDSU; $2,500 prize
2. Emergency Management Solutions — Marcelo Ferreira of NDSU; $2,000 prize
3. Swim Smart — Hunter Pogatchnik and Jacob Johnson of NDSU; $1,500 prize

Graduate Track

1. dImager — Fleming Gudagunti and Sharmin Afrose of NDSU; $2,500 prize
2. Challengers — Xiaoou Hu and Ru Miao of NDSU; $2,000 prize
3. Cell Treat — Beth Ringwelski and Vidura Jayasooriya of NDSU; $1,500 prize

Congratulations to the Innovation Challenge winners of 2019!

Innovation Challenge 2020

Innovation Challenge returns next fall, so start generating your ideas. Find the complete schedule below.

Innovation Challenge 2020 Dates