Winners of the Elon Innovation Challenge were announced Nov. 18 in an afternoon awards showcase attended by teams from Elon, UNC Greensboro, UNC Charlotte and East Carolina University.
The creativity competition for college students in North Carolina was held in conjunction with Stanford University’s Global Innovation Tournament. Students worked to solve a common problem in eight days while creating as much value as possible. Teams conveyed their results in a short video posted to YouTube.
One of the world’s most pressing problems is the global recession, which has had a devastating effect on individuals, communities, companies, and entire countries. The teams were challenged to create as much value and have as much impact as possible while making it fun to save money.
“Creativity is a key aspect of entrepreneurial success,” said Gary Palin, executive director of the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, which hosted the challenge. “The Elon Innovation Challenge allows students to develop and display their creativity while addressing an important global issue.”
The audience at the showcase also chose “The Audience Favorite” submission, which won a separate prize. Awards will be made to registered charities of the top teams’ choices.
Audience Favorite: Savage Savers (Elon)
Chris Myers, Sam Foster, Tyler Reynolds, Thomas Wiebracht, Matt Smith
1st Place ($400)
Cutting Back & Havin’ a Blast (Elon), Loaves and Fishes
Kathryne Burns, Glen Cornell, Lauren Fredrickson, Andrew Garrison, Chris Kanoy, David Wells
2nd Place ($200)
Two Broads Study Abroad (Elon), Dream Day in Cape Cod
Katie Pietrowski, Tory Hill
3rd Place ($100):
Elon Money Tree (Elon), ALS Association – Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter
Ben Hoffman, Jordan McFarland, Robert Anderson, Mike Nowak
Tie for 4th Place ($50):
a) Team Blitz (UNC-G), Make-A-Wish Foundation
Brittney Lambeth, Chelsea Higgins, Taylor Miller, Mayra Reyes, Matthew Privett, Stephen Rountree
b) Checkbook (ECU), Ronald McDonald House
Margaret Frazer, Michael Hale, Thomas Halley, Sarah Hegler, Paul Saleska