{"344911":{"#nid":"344911","#data":{"type":"news","title":"InVenture Prize","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by Laura Diamond\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPublished in Research Horizons Summer 2014\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter Partha Unnava broke his ankle playing pickup basketball, he spent a summer walking with uncomfortable crutches that left him with pain and fatigue. Unnava, a student in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, knew he could invent something better.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo along came The Better Walk Crutch, a device he created with the help of two other students. The team has already raised $160,000 for the invention and attracted attention from orthopedic surgeons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeam Better Walk was among the finalists for the 2014 InVenture Prize, Georgia Tech\u2019s annual contest that rewards students with cash prizes and free patents for big innovations that aim to solve the world\u2019s problems. The competition exposes students to multiple aspects of entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cInVenture is part of the changing culture at Georgia Tech where we are getting students to think more like entrepreneurs,\u201d said Chris Reaves, director of undergraduate research and student innovation, and one of InVenture\u2019s organizers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe InVenture first-place prize is $20,000 plus a spot in Flashpoint, Georgia Tech\u2019s startup accelerator program. Second-place finishers go home with $10,000. The winners receive free U.S. patent filings by Georgia Tech\u2019s Office of Technology Licensing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cStudents want to build their own business and have a positive impact on society,\u201d Reaves said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EStudent Interest Grows\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInVenture started in 2009 and is expanding beyond Georgia Tech. The University of Florida held its own version earlier this year, and other colleges have requested more information.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENearly 560 Georgia Tech students signed up for this year\u2019s contest \u2013 the largest number ever. Over the course of several months, the group was narrowed to six teams that competed in the finale on March 26, 2014.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJudges considered a variety of factors such as innovation, marketability, and probability of success.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeam Sanivation won with their invention of an inexpensive mobile solution to help the nearly 2.6 billion people worldwide who don\u2019t have access to hygienic bathrooms.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir Safi Choo (Swahili for \u201cclean toilet\u201d) is meant to replace the pit latrines often found in the developing world and in refugee camps. The device has received preliminary support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe all-female team left for Kenya soon after the end of the spring semester to test the toilet, which allows users to sit or squat while a filtration system reduces the spread of sanitation diseases. The device includes several large drawers that separate liquid and solid waste for removal and disposal.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe want to have a positive impact on humanity,\u201d said Team Sanivation member Erin Cobb, a student in the School of Industrial Design. \u201cWe\u2019re happy we\u2019ve been able to get some people to talk about a taboo topic.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInVenture\u2019s second-place team invented the Sucette Smart Soother, a modernized pacifier that fits more naturally with a baby\u2019s mouth and growing dental structure. It even changes color when the baby has a fever.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe three-member Sucette Smart Soother team, made up of biomedical engineering majors, read studies showing how today\u2019s pacifiers are associated with some dental, skeletal, and speech deformities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe realized there are so many problems with existing pacifiers and parents have no clue,\u201d said team member Rachel Ford.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe team went through multiple rounds of prototyping before settling on the final prototype, which features a concave inner portion so the tongue is positioned to allow for proper development of the bones surrounding the mouth.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EThe Process\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompetitors spent months \u2013 if not years \u2013 designing prototypes, reading research and medical journals, and interviewing experts, patients, and others who could benefit from the inventions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMembers of team Better Walk, for instance, talked with more than 50 physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and other experts about their redesigned crutch.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a result, their product offers forearm support to reduce fatigue, and the design removes direct stress from the wrist. There is also a side-piece that provides additional stability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey\u2019ve already raised $160,000 for their invention, and about two dozen physicians asked to buy the device when a version was shown at a conference of orthopedic surgeons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe\u2019ve spent so much time in our engineering classes that it\u2019s exciting to apply what we\u2019ve learned to the real world,\u201d Unnava said.\u201cTo have people willing to write a check to support something you invented is an amazing feeling.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAfter Graduation\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents continue working on their innovations after they graduate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPatrick Whaley won InVenture in 2010 for weighted exercise clothing that can be worn without joint damage or any limitations on movement. He turned his invention into Titin Tech, a Georgia-based company operating out of Alpharetta, an Atlanta suburb. Players in the NFL and NBA, and clients around the world wear his weighted compression gear.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EErika Tyburski won second place in 2013 for AnemoCheck, an inexpensive and disposable test that would allow self-testing for anemia. Since then, she has worked with the Atlanta-based Global Center for Medical Innovation and has finished clinical testing and prototyping the device. She hopes to form a company later this year.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EInVenture Finalists\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENearly 560 students signed up for this year\u2019s contest \u2013 the largest number ever. Over the course of several months the group was narrowed to six teams. Their designs were:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Better Walk Crutc\u003C\/em\u003Eh. Modernized crutches to help people get around more confidently and comfortably while going through rehabilitation for lower leg injury.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Enlighten Music Trainer\u003C\/em\u003E. A tool to eliminate the frustration some people feel when learning to play the guitar. Songs are placed in an SD card slot and the trainer programs notes to show on LED lights on a removable sleeve.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESleepwell Sleepwear\u003C\/em\u003E. A nightshirt that reduces snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea. The garment senses when people are sleeping on their backs and uses automated positional therapy to move them to a healthier position.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Safi Choo Toilet\u003C\/em\u003E. An inexpensive, mobile toilet to replace the pit latrines often used in the developing world and in refugee camps.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Sucette Smart Soother\u003C\/em\u003E. A modernized pacifier designed to fit more naturally with a baby\u2019s mouth and growing dental structure.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EUpsadazy\u003C\/em\u003E. A baby stroller that safely and quickly climbs stairs without the risk of tipping over and harming the child.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next InVenture Prize finale is scheduled for April 1, 2015. Learn more about the competition here: (inventureprize.gatech.edu).\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Competition Encourages Students to Invent and Become Entrepreneurs"}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe technical aspects of engineering new products come naturally for many students, but they often lack business savvy. Georgia Tech\u2019s InVenture Prize allows students to experience what it\u2019s like to be an entrepreneur\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The technical aspects of engineering new products come naturally for many students, but they often lack business savvy. Georgia Tech\u2019s InVenture Prize allows students to experience what it\u2019s like to be an entrepreneur."}],"uid":"28152","created_gmt":"2014-11-12 15:36:59","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:17:30","author":"Claire Labanz","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","extras":[],"hg_media":{"346231":{"id":"346231","type":"image","title":"Winners of 2014 InVenture Prize","body":null,"created":"1449245670","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:14:30","changed":"1475895068","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:08","alt":"Winners of 2014 InVenture Prize","file":{"fid":"200929","name":"inventure-5406_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-5406_o_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-5406_o_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2606998,"path_740":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/inventure-5406_o_0.jpg?itok=yGw17dnV"}},"346241":{"id":"346241","type":"image","title":"Better Walk Crutch","body":null,"created":"1449245670","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:14:30","changed":"1475895068","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:08","alt":"Better Walk Crutch","file":{"fid":"200930","name":"inventure-75c07_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-75c07_o_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-75c07_o_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2307837,"path_740":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/inventure-75c07_o_0.jpg?itok=cdxJto7Y"}},"346251":{"id":"346251","type":"image","title":"Upsadazy Team","body":null,"created":"1449245670","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:14:30","changed":"1475895068","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:08","alt":"Upsadazy Team","file":{"fid":"200931","name":"inventure-35129_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-35129_o_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-35129_o_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2482838,"path_740":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/inventure-35129_o_0.jpg?itok=_uiG8xTc"}},"346261":{"id":"346261","type":"image","title":"Sucette Smart Soother","body":null,"created":"1449245670","gmt_created":"2015-12-04 16:14:30","changed":"1475895068","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:51:08","alt":"Sucette Smart Soother","file":{"fid":"200932","name":"inventure-28d1b6_o.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-28d1b6_o_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/inventure-28d1b6_o_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":647700,"path_740":"http:\/\/tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/inventure-28d1b6_o_0.jpg?itok=EmZV4cWl"}}},"media_ids":["346231","346241","346251","346261"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"}],"categories":[{"id":"42941","name":"Art Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2579","name":"commercialization"},{"id":"1069","name":"Inventure"},{"id":"166973","name":"startup"},{"id":"171387","name":"Summer 2014 issue"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39441","name":"Bioengineering and Bioscience"},{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Reaves\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Echris.reaves@gatech.edu\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}