Innovate Challenge is an OHSU student idea competition, intended for student-led concepts or technologies. Receive individualized mentorship and training opportunities from registration through the competition to provide you with the resources and skills to develop an effective business pitch, understand the basics of bringing a concept from idea to market, and the fundamentals of commercialization. This competition is open to all OHSU students and topic areas. 

Mentors will be paired with participating teams based on background expertise and personalized team needs, and will include guidance from the Executives-in-Residence Program offered by OHSU's Technology Transfer and Business Development office. 

Pitch your idea for a chance to win $2,000 to develop a prototype or model of your innovation, to participate in Portland State's Lab2Market weekend in May, and compete in the regional InventOR Collegiate Challenge where you can compete for up to $25,000 in prizes.

Drop-in Info Session
View past info session flyer: Info session flyer

If you missed the info session, it's not too late to learn about Innovate Challenge and regional InventOR competitions & get your questions answered regarding eligibility, concept development, and training and support throughout your concept and pitch development.

If you are a student interested in learning about innovation and entrepreneurship, and gaining a practical experience with these concepts, please contact Melissa Mudd and Erica Shaw directly.

Secure your spot

Register Now - registration is open until Monday, February 25th 

Confirmed registration gains you access to trainings, mentorship and additional resources during your participation in the Challenge. Help identifying a project is also available if needed.

Invention Disclosure - Please fill out an invention disclosure and submit to OHSU's Technology Transfer & Business Development office. This form allows TTBD to understand the nature of your invention to better assist you in developing and/or protecting your IP.

Important Dates:

Innovate Challenge Pitch Competition
Thursday, May 2nd, 2019
Time/Location TBD

PSU's Lab2Market Weekend
May 2019
Details TBD

An intensive experiential workshop where participants learn to evaluate and shape their concept for the commercial marketplace. Led by experts, Lab2Market integrates lectures and exercises to help entrepreneurs critically assess their business idea and refine their elevator pitch. 

• Communicate and refine the business idea
• Craft, refine and practice the elevator pitch
• Evaluate technology/market opportunities
• Navigate the path from research to market
• Find and tap funding opportunities

InventOR Collegiate Challenge
Pitch and prototype competition led by PSU
June 2019
details TBD