Student Innovators Shine at 2019 Science and Technology Showcase

A student team who created an affordable, universal eyedropper adapter earned the Premera Blue Cross grand prize at the 13th Annual Science and Technology Showcase (STS) at the University of Washington. Nanodropper decreases the volume of oversized eyedrops to reduce cost, waste, and side effects. A student team who created an affordable, universal eyedropper adapter earned the Premera Blue Cross grand prize at the 13th Annual Science and Technology Showcase (STS) at the University of Washington. Nanodropper decreases the volume of oversized eyedrops to reduce cost, waste, and side effects. The team was among a group of seven to take home funding awards at the annual showcase for science and technology-based innovations coming out of the University. A complete list of the winning teams is detailed below.

Chibage Chip addresses the impact of climate change on the distribution of resources like water to commercial farmers in developing countries by detecting when plants are thirsty, thereby allowing for increased yields and less waste.The STS is co-hosted by the UW Foster School’s Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship and the Science and Engineering Business Association (SEBA), a UW student organization. Twenty-two teams were selected for this year’s competition from colleges and schools across campus. The showcase provides students with the opportunity to pitch the commercial potential of their innovations. Seattle-area entrepreneurs and investors served as judges and also provided in-person feedback and mentorship.

Chibage Chip addresses the impact of climate change on the distribution of resources like water to commercial farmers in developing countries by detecting when plants are thirsty, thereby allowing for increased yields and less waste.A networking event followed the showcase and featured a packed room of students looking to form teams, recruit members, or develop their ideas ahead of the Buerk Center’s student competition season. Many of the STS competitors and the teams formed at the networking event are expected to compete in the Hollomon Health Innovation Challenge on March 6, the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge on April 3, and/or the Dempsey Startup Competition (Formerly the UW Business Plan Competition) in early May.

The Buerk Center and SEBA would like to thank this year’s sponsors: Premera Blue Cross, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and Washington Research Foundation Capital (WRF Capital). We also would like to thank Farah Ali, vice-president of engineering, player and development experience at Electronic Arts, for her individual contribution and sponsorship of the second place prize.

Congratulations to the 2019 STS award winners:

$1,000 PREMERA BLUE CROSS GRAND PRIZE: NANODROPPER

Nanodropper is an affordable, universal eyedropper adaptor that decreases the volume of oversized eyedrops to reduce cost, waste, and side effects, ultimately increasing access to expensive prescription eye medications.

$500 FARAH ALI SECOND PLACE PRIZE: CHIBAGE CHIP

Chibage Chip addresses the impact of climate change on the distribution of resources like water to commercial farmers in developing countries by detecting when plants are thirsty, thereby allowing for increased yields and less waste.

$300 WRF CAPITAL THIRD PLACE PRIZE: LONELY PRODUCE

Lonely Produce works with local farmers to find a place for their excess goods. We connect local business directly with farmers saving time and money by providing easy access to fresh goods.

$100 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE MOST INNOVATIVE PRIZE: FJ INDUSTRIES 

FJ Industries is developing a ground-based electrothermal launch system to create a clean, innovative way to transport large quantities of materials into orbit.

$100 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE BEST MARKETING STRATEGY PRIZE: GLIMPSE CLIP

Glimpse has created a stylish way to capture video at live events without restricting the users ability to fully immerse themselves in what is taking place.

$100 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE BEST POSTER PRIZE: PULMORA

The Pulmora device reduces the need for EMT’s to use both hands while provided artificial breaths during an emergency or otherwise. This allows EMT’s to take additional measures to save the lives of their patients.

$100 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC ENTREPRENEUR PRIZE: THE LAFING COMPANY 

LaFing is developing a platform that connects a finder of an item to the owner of the item.

$100 DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE BEST COMMUNICATOR PRIZE: NANODROPPER

Nanodropper is an affordable, universal eyedropper adaptor that decreases the volume of oversized eyedrops to reduce cost, waste, and side effects, ultimately increasing access to expensive prescription eye medications.

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