The PSU Cleantech Challenge is an exciting competition for student innovators and entrepreneurs with inspired solutions to today's most pressing environmental problems.
With winners announced on March 31st at the PSU Native American Student and Community Center, this year saw the following innovators take their concepts from ideas to realities:
1st Place — Team ‘Bucha: Pablo V. Cazares, Tylin Burton, and Ava Zavala. Together, Team 'Bucha is tackling the lack of sustainable materials in apparel manufacturing. Using kombucha pellice, they are developing a system to process sustainable polyester for clothing.
2nd Place — Dicot, started by CB Bone and Mauria Betts to solve the ecological impacts of the monoculture system, specifically grain economies. Their solution is to create low-impact, ecologically sustainable hemp foods, starting with hemp microgreens.
3rd Place — Team Artemis, led by MBA/MSF candidate Romita Sekar–whose project was inspired by Oregon's massive wildfires in recent years–is working on a solution to repurpose the carbon created by fire by developing a system to collect and refine carbon waste, and converting it into carbon black usable in cosmetic products.
This year's prize money totals $6,000 ($3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third). Team 'Bucha and Dicot will go on to represent PSU at Invent Oregon.
Open to all PSU students who want to pursue impact-based innovation, the Cleantech Challenge gives resources to students in the form of $1500 prototyping grants, mentorship, and coaching.
Student teams work over 90 days to bring their innovations to life, conducting market research, customer interviews, crafting a business plan, and testing their prototype–all culminating at the finals, where they share their projects in the form of a pitch and exhibition. These projects are an incredible showcase of the innovative spirit at PSU.
Get more information on the next year's application requirements and deadlines.