The University of Rhode Island is launching its inaugural Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge, sponsored by 401 Tech Bridge and funded by RISE-UP. This exciting initiative is open to all URI students, regardless of their program or major. The challenges offered cover a wide range of topics, from sustainability to health and accessibility, providing students with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
One of the key features of this program is its multidisciplinary approach, encouraging students from different colleges and programs to collaborate and contribute to the University’s 10-year strategic plan. By participating in these challenges, students can not only win prizes ranging from $250 to $2,000 but also gain valuable experience in entrepreneurship and innovation.
The challenges themselves are diverse and engaging, with topics such as repurposing and redistributing items on campus, designing green rooftop terraces, improving health across the lifespan, and creating underwater hotels for robots. Each challenge is sponsored by a different college or program at URI, reflecting the university’s commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Students can form teams of up to six members and enter multiple challenges, allowing them to explore different areas of interest and showcase their skills in various fields. The challenges are designed to inspire creative thinking and problem-solving, challenging students to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems.
Some of the current challenges include addressing social issues, designing products for people with disabilities, and combining biological knowledge with design thinking to address sustainability challenges. These challenges not only provide students with a platform to showcase their talents but also contribute to real-world solutions that can have a lasting impact on society.
With all entries due before the end of the spring semester, interested students are encouraged to apply now and start working on their innovative ideas. The RISE-UP Challenges page provides the latest updates on the challenges and offers students the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the University of Rhode Island’s culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
