FSU to Host Regional Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad Competition
Aug 28, 2023 2:00 PM
Winning Teams Earn Funding to Bring Their Solutions to Challenging Issues to Life
Frostburg State University, in partnership with the TEDCO Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), Deloitte's Innovation Lab and the University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund, will host a regional Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad competition on the FSU campus Friday, September 22 through Sunday, September 24, 2023. The focus of this year’s Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad will be on distributed energy resources, virtual power plants, climate change and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors.
The Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad is a unique program that will combine the best aspects of a hackathon with those of a business pitch competition, providing teams with an opportunity to work quickly and collectively to develop business models and technology-based solutions to real world problems.
Multidisciplinary teams consisting of 4-5 student members, advised and mentored by FSU faculty, staff and subject matter experts, will put their technical and entrepreneurial skills to the test as they work through problem statements related to this year’s themes and conduct market research to create a commercially viable solution and subsequent new technologies to solve difficult issues.
Over the course of the event, teams will examine difficult problem statements to identify a deeper issue worth solving and then identify new solutions to this problem. During the two-day Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad, teams will design or build a prototype, create a business plan and ultimately pitch this plan to influence and inspire their audience and a team of judges to invest in their idea.
Winning teams placed 1st through 3rd will be awarded cash funding in amounts of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively to support further exploration and development of their solution. The Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad competition is open to all students in any undergraduate or graduate degree programs. While an engineering or coding background is not required, participants should be curious and highly collaborative, with the ability to utilize critical reasoning skills to work within a multi-disciplinary team. There is no cost to attend. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Interested students must apply online by Friday, September 15 at 5 p.m. Space is limited, so visit the Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad web site today!
ABOUT TEDCO AND THE MII PROGRAM
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) is an independent instrumentality of the State of Maryland, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998, to facilitate the creation of businesses and support their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO’s role is to be Maryland’s leading source of funding for early-stage, technology-based businesses; to provide other business assistance to entrepreneurs throughout the State; and to foster technology transfer and commercialization from the State’s universities and Federal labs. TEDCO is leading innovation to market in Maryland and contributing to a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in the State through its various programs and funds.
The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) was created as a partnership between the State of Maryland and five Maryland academic research institutions (Johns Hopkins University; Morgan State University, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland Baltimore, University of Maryland, College Park), and two comprehensive universities (Bowie State University and Frostburg State University). The program is designed to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization of research conducted at the partner universities.
ABOUT USM LAUNCH FUND
The University System of Maryland (USM) Launch Fund connects early-stage entrepreneurs – builders, creators, and innovators – to existing resources, mentorship, and capital. It creates a new capital source designated to fill gaps and connect to other capital and resources. The Maryland Launch Fund is committed to support USM-affiliated (for-profit or non-profit) ventures. The program is administered by the USM Office of Research and Economic Development. For more information on the USM Launch Fund visit the The Maryland Launch Fund web site.
ABOUT DELOITTE AND THE INNOVATION LAB
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 415,000 people worldwide connect for impact at the Deloitte web site.
The Innovation Lab creates rapid prototypes and real-life experiences that help teams learn, ideate, and shape their future with immediate impacts. By working with the Innovation Lab’s engineers, teams will learn first-hand how edge compute, loT, and advanced connectivity like 5G, LoRa, and VLC can solve the most challenging business needs. For more information visit the Deloitte web site.
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