Arctic Innovation Competition finals scheduled Oct. 22
October 18, 2016
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will award more than $28,000 in cash prizes Saturday, Oct. 22, after the final round of presentations in the 2016 Arctic Innovation Competition.
The competition, now in its eighth year, invites innovators to propose new, feasible and potentially profitable ideas for solving real-life problems and challenges.
The main division semifinal presentations begin at the Wedgewood Resort at 10:15 a.m., and the junior (ages 13 to 17) and cub (ages 12 and younger) division presentations will start at 2 p.m. The main division final four presentations will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the BP Award Ceremony and Reception at 4 p.m.
New this year is an additional “kicker” or side prize for the main division. The Recycling Kicker prize will be awarded to the best idea related to reuse or recycling. The day includes robotics presentations, fan favorite voting, and guest Wylie Rogers, the 2014 AIC Alaska College Student Kicker prizewinner for building a better goal post anchor for ice hockey.
A panel of judges will choose the winners in each division. Cash prizes for the main division include a grand prize of $10,000, $5,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, $1,000 for fourth place and 16 awards of $100 each. Competitors from the junior and cub divisions, sponsored by Kinross Fort Knox, will share $2,150 in cash prizes. Other sponsors include Northrim Bank, Robinson and Ward, PC, Brad Feld and Amy Batchelor.
Cub division finalists include Drake Slyker, a 9-year-old traveling with his family from Anchorage to present his Auto-Allergy Tester, a simple system to identify allergies.
“I am super, super excited to be a part of this contest. My idea could potentially save lives, and nothing is more important that,” Slyker said. “I am taking a really long road trip to come to this contest, but I don't mind, because it will be worth it.”
Intriguing entries in the main division include The NoseHat, Blue Energy, Weed & Ice Ripper, Bernouli Wind Turbine, and RecycleMe Burial Wraps.
The public is invited to attend. All attendees will be eligible to win one of two Ravn Alaska tickets, along with other door prizes.
ON THE WEB: www.arcticinno.com