Presented by Roanoke College's Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Innovation

June 1 - July 24, 2008

The Innovation Challenge has been established with a creative partnership between Roanoke College and local businesses to form a private industry innovation engine. Each summer, approximately 16 students from Roanoke College and other top academic institutions are offered the unique opportunity to participate in this innovation challenge.

Past projects include a system that transforms the way devices are powered by eliminating the need for power cords and cosmetics and jewelry that changes colors to complement a person’s attire or mood manufactured from a photochromic compound.

The sixteen participants are divided into teams and given the task to develop a comprehensive business plan for a new product innovation. With the help of faculty and industry mentors, students will research:

• Patent/intellectual property process
• Organizational structure
• Production
• Marketing
• Financial aspects
• Funding
• Product design
• Exit strategies

The projects incorporate knowledge and concepts from many different academic disciplines; therefore, students with divergent backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

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