Arctic Innovation Competition accepting submissions

September 10, 2019

UAF Photo by JR Ancheta. Joshua Resnick holds his winning check for his Parallel Drones idea from the 2018 UAF Arctic Innovation Competition.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will award $30,000 in cash prizes through its annual Arctic Innovation Competition.

The competition, presented by Usibelli Coal Mine, is now in its 11th year. Competitors propose new, feasible and potentially profitable ideas, which are evaluated by a panel of judges. The deadline to submit an entry is 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.

In 2018, submissions covered a broad range of subjects. Winning ideas included a thermal battery that stores energy using a heat sink built into a house’s foundation, clothing made with space blankets to keep body heat from escaping, and an ergonomically designed paint roller handle that reduces wrist and joint fatigue. Last year’s $10,000 grand-prize winner was Joshua Resnick for his idea, Parallel Drones, which extends flight times and payload capability in drones, allowing them to make rural deliveries, conduct wildlife tracking and help fight wildfires.

The competition is open to the public, there is no entry fee and ideas do not have to be related to the Arctic. Three divisions are now accepting submissions: Main Division, for ages 18 and up; Junior Division, for ages 13-17; and Cub Division, for ages 12 and under. New this year is a $2,000 prize for the best air-quality-related idea. Individuals or teams are encouraged to enter, and multiple ideas are accepted. After the initial screening process, over 30 winners will be selected to receive cash prizes ranging from $25 to $10,000. Finalists will showcase their ideas to judges from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Wedgewood Resort, with a reception to follow. The public is invited to attend.

ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Tammy Tragis-McCook, 907-474-7042, tammy.tragis@alaska.edu

ON THE WEB: www.arcticinno.com