2019 InVenture Prize Finalists Chosen
This is the 11th year for Georgia Tech’s annual innovation contest that pits student inventors head-to-head in a fast-paced pitch competition in front of a live television audience. That televised final round will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 7:30 on Wednesday March 13.
The field of competitors vying for the 2019 InVenture Prize has narrowed to six.
This is the 11th year for Georgia Tech’s annual innovation contest in which student inventors compete head-to-head in a fast-paced pitch competition in front of a live television audience. That televised final round will air on Georgia Public Broadcasting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.
Dozens of teams began the process back in September. The final six teams were chosen in the semifinal round by a panel of judges that included Georgia Tech faculty advisors.
The 2019 InVenture finalists are:
Ethos Medical, a team developing a handheld medical device to guide the placement of needles used for spinal tap procedures. Their goal is to make the procedure safer by providing an intuitive, real-time needle guidance system for use at the patient’s bedside.
- Dev Mandavia (Biomedical Engineering) Duluth, Georgia
- Lucas Muller (Mechanical Engineering) San Diego, California
- Cassidy Wang (Biomedical Engineering) Dublin, Ohio
Finger Flyer has devised a new way to interact with quadcopter drones that circumvents a standard radio controller. Finger Flyer is hoping to introduce the next generation to the power of drone technology in a fun and novel way.
- Austin Condict (Computer Science) Athens, Georgia
- Jacob Parker (Mechanical Engineering) Windham, New Hampshire
Team HANDLD has developed a device that gives cyclists the power to identify, record, and report violations of safe passing laws across the nation. Through their invention, the team hopes to help save lives by creating safer roads and drivers.
- Emilio Conde (Mechanical Engineering) Locust Grove, Georgia
- Johnny Maroun (Computer Science) Marietta, Georgia
- Colin Santoro (Mechanical Engineering) Suwanee, Georgia
- Chris Truong (Computer Science) Newnan, Georgia
- Erik Van Winkle (Mechanical Engineering) Dunwoody, Georgia
Team Nix has invented a vaporizer device that tapers nicotine, with the aim of regulating and reducing consumption over time to help smokers quit.
- Mohammed Aamir (Mechanical Engineering) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Thomas Olson (Computer Science) Ellicott City, Maryland
- Robert Patterson (Mechanical Engineering) Sandy Springs, Georgia
- Vishwa Shah (Computer Science) Tampa, Florida
- Dustin Sloan (Mechanical Engineering) Millbrook, New York
- Milan Smart (Mechanical Engineering) Orlando, Florida
- Cory Stine (Mechanical Engineering) Saint Louis, Missouri
TremorTrainer is a therapeutic glove that implements counterweight technology to enable those suffering from hand tremors to regain their ability to perform everyday tasks.
- Nisha Goddard (Biomedical Engineering) Trabuco Canyon, California
- Nicolette Prevost (Biomedical Engineering) Alpharetta, Georgia
- Colten Spivey (Materials Science and Engineering) Franklin, Tennessee
Team Unfoldit has developed a virtual paper and hole-punching game that is designed to help users develop spatial awareness abilities.
- Max Brauer (Computer Science) Atlanta, Georgia
- Jacqueline Elliott (Computer Science) Brattleboro, Vermont
- Ryan Miles (Computer Science) Dacula, Georgia
- Cliff Panos (Computer Science) Winter Park, Florida
- Hanwen Xu (Computer Science) Atlanta, Georgia
This year’s $20,000 first-place prize will be presented by TDK USA Corporation.
The winners will also represent Georgia Tech in the annual ACC InVenture Prize, which will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 17.
The second-place team will take home $10,000.
The top two teams will also receive free U.S. patent filings by Georgia Tech’s Office of Technology Licensing.
A $5,000 People’s Choice Award will go to the fans’ favorite invention. Voting will be held online and by text messaging during the live broadcast.
The finale will take place March 13 at the Ferst Center for the Arts. Tickets are free and can be requested now. Tickets may be picked up on the night of the show in the lobby of the Ferst Center from 5 –7 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. All audience members are to be seated by 7 p.m.