ISU INNOVATION PRIZE

One Weekend, 3 Bold Challenges, An Abundance of Rewards

The ISU INNOVATION PRIZE is a new incentive competition at Iowa State University that takes place each fall. The Iowa State Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative are co-hosting the event. It will be held at the Iowa State Economic Development Core Facility in Iowa State Research Park.

The competition theme for the fourth annual event is Innovation at Iowa State. There will be three focus areas for participants to solve:

AgTech: How do we increase the productivity of the global agricultural system with a less negative impact on land, energy, water, and Mother Earth?
- Possible focus: Food Security; Food Waste; Water Quality & Availability; Keep Life Below Sea Habitable for Humankind; Combat Deforestation & Life on Land; Sustainable Agricultural; Renewable Energy in Wind, Solar, Hydropower; Energy Crops; Carbon Sequestration; New Public Policy; and Private Investment Options.

EdTech: How do we design & reinvent learning for a better experience (quality & value) in an age of accelerating technology?
- Possible focus: Nontraditional Classroom Experiences & Models; Breakthrough Experiential Learning; Latest Brain Science & Learning Technologies; Innovative Funding Formulas; Offline & Online Learning–New Technologies, Analytics, & Robotics; When and When Not to use Assessments; Great Transformations–Shrinking Demographics in Local Schools; Life-Long Learning.

Global Impact: How do we improve the quality of life and continue to help solve urgent issues all around the globe?
- Note: This category is meant to be broader and to challenge yourself to think big! Possible focuses: Fighting Poverty & Reducing Inequalities Within Developing Countries; Ensure Healthy Lives & Well-Being; Achieve Gender Equality & Empower All Women and Girls; Ensuring Affordable & Clean Energy to Transform Lives, Economics & the Planet; Overcome Urban Cities Congestion & Shortage of Adequate Housing & Declining Infrastructure; Sustain Life on Land & Combat Deforestation.

What to Expect?

During the event, participants will form in small groups, based on their interests and abilities, then choose one of the three Bold Challenges. Why small groups? With little to lose, entrepreneurial small teams are able to brainstorm and consistently outperform large groups when it comes to innovation. Incentive prizes are perfectly designed to harness this energy!

2019 ISU INNOVATION PRIZE INFORMATION

SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEKEND

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

4:00-5:00 p.m. Keynote speaker and founder of Board of Veriown Global, Steve Johanns, plus a sneak-peek inside Iowa State’s new Student Innovation Center
Note: This event is on-campus at MacKay 0117
5:30-6:00 p.m. Registration, Food + Networking at ISU Economic Development Core Facility
6:00 p.m. Kick-off
6:15-8:00 p.m. Creative Session
8:15-8:45 p.m. Team Formation
8:45 p.m. Team Kick-off + Active Work, Building closes at 11:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

8:00-9:00 a.m. Power Breakfast – Sponsored by Principal
9:00-10:15 a.m. Check-in Review
10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Work Time
12:00 p.m. Lunch – Sponsored by Principal
12:00-12:30 p.m. How to Pitch Like a Pro
12:30-2:30 p.m. Pitch Refinement + Active Work
3:00-4:00 p.m. Final Presentations
4:00 p.m. Judges & Awards

Featured Facilitator, Brian Hemesath

Brian Hemesath, a graduate of Iowa State University has been involved in the entrepreneurship and startup scene for many years. He is a computer engineer by education and has experience in sales and marketing. He is a serial entrepreneur, having started several companies including his current venture, VolunteerLocal. Hemesath was the inaugural director of the Global Insurance Accelerator and has worked on many previous startups including Tikly, Catchwind, Diligent IS, Handera, Doextra, and Raviant.

He loves sharing his business successes and failures as a mentor to the entrepreneurship community and has participated in several Startup Weekends in the past.

INVESTMENT FOR THE WEEKEND?

FREE to students, faculty, alumni, and community members.

Special thanks to sponsors: