2010 Student Innovator of the Year Competition

The Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology will host its first annual Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) competition on Oct. 19 and 21.

Approximately 32 teams of student inventors will compete for $8,500 in prize money, with first place taking $3,000.   Entries will be judged on engineering innovation, product usefulness or originality, feasibility and the clarity and professionalism of the team's presentation. 

An additional $2,500 Peery Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship will be awarded to an innovation that facilitates self-reliance for individuals and families in poverty. 

SIOY events will kick off Tues., Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. in 214 Crabtree Technology Building (CTB) with an address from successful entrepreneur Rick Alden, the CEO of Skullcandy.  Alden began Skullcandy in 2003 with the goal of designing products that fit into his active lifestyle and has built it into the No. 2-selling headphone company with revenues topping $150 million.  He was named 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine. 

Alden's address will be followed by the Innovation Fair in the Crabtree lobby from 3-5 p.m.  The project prototypes will be on display and students will be available to answer questions.  Judges will narrow the field to the top 10 projects. 

The final judging will be Thurs., Oct. 21 in 214 CTB from 2-4 p.m.  Each of the top teams will briefly present their innovations and answer questions from the judges.  There will be food and drawings for prizes for audience members.  All SIOY events are open to the public.   

Winners are encouraged to enter their idea in the 2011 Business Plan or Social Venture competitions in the BYU Marriott School of Business. 

The SIOY competition has been driven by the efforts of Engineering and Technology Startup, a student-run organization empowering innovation, and is sponsored jointly by the Ira A. Fulton College and the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology.