The 10th Annual InventOR Finals highlighted an incredible range of student innovation from across Oregon. While our Grand Prize and podium finishers showcased outstanding ventures, several additional teams were recognized for their creativity, impact, and entrepreneurial spirit through special awards.
This post celebrates four award-winning teams who earned recognition—and prize funding—for their standout ideas at this year’s competition.
4th Place — Dec Vac | $3,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
Dec Vac, created by Toby Ruston and Walter Ruston, offers a simple yet innovative solution to a common outdoor maintenance challenge. Their device is designed as the first one-step solution for cleaning between deck boards, attaching directly to a standard shop vacuum and using a patented scooping blade to efficiently remove debris in a single motion.
By streamlining a time-consuming task, Dec Vac demonstrates how practical engineering solutions can improve everyday household maintenance.
Outstanding Community College Award — Swift Lock | $2,000
Linn-Benton Community College
Swift Lock, developed by Brian Cortez-Cabezas, Ronyn Gaudet, and Saeed Valdivia Munoz, is a magnet-operated belt designed to improve ease of use for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.
With a focus on accessibility and independence, Swift Lock addresses a simple but meaningful daily challenge, making dressing easier and more comfortable for users who may struggle with traditional belt designs.
Visionary Award — Spotzhole | $1,500
Clackamas Community College
Spotzhole, created by Kellan Green, Cecilia Williams, and Jordan Sullivan, is a sensor-based system that attaches to the front of a vehicle to detect potholes and collect geolocation data.
The system is designed to help local governments identify road damage more efficiently by providing accurate, real-time information about infrastructure issues. Spotzhole highlights how student innovation can contribute to smarter, data-driven public services.
People's Choice Award — The Final Rose | $1,000
Portland State University
The Final Rose, developed by Eric Asakawa, Evangeline Van, and Owen Swifter, is an improv-based tabletop card game inspired by reality TV dating shows.
Designed to help reduce anxiety around dating, the game provides a structured and playful environment for users to build confidence and gain real-world social experience in a safe setting. Voted People's Choice by attendees, the project stood out for its creativity and relatability.
Third Place — Luma Dental Technology | $5,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
Innovation often begins by improving everyday challenges, and Luma Dental Technology is doing just that. At the 10th Annual InventOR Finals, the team from Oregon Institute of Technology earned 3rd Place for developing a practical solution that enhances efficiency and visibility during dental procedures.
The team—Diego Garcia, Erick Amador-Gonzalez, Kaylee May, and Anesti Audeh—created a smart heated oral mirror that warms to body temperature, permanently eliminating lens fogging during dental procedures. By addressing a common frustration faced by dental professionals, their innovation helps improve visibility, streamline patient care, and create a more efficient clinical experience.
Second Place — Cascade Safety Systems | $7,500
Oregon State University – Cascades
The team—Jared Messersmith, Makani Hiltner, and Hunter Erhard—developed the Tree Well Guardian, a boot-mounted sensor that automatically detects when a skier or snowboarder becomes trapped upside down in a tree well or other snow immersion incident.
When the device detects a sustained inversion, it triggers an audible alarm to alert nearby riders while simultaneously sending GPS emergency notifications to designated contacts, including ski patrol. By reducing response times during these critical emergencies, the Tree Well Guardian has the potential to increase the chances of a successful rescue when every second matters.
Throughout the InventOR program, the team refined their concept through customer discovery, mentorship, and feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and judges. Their final presentation demonstrated both the technical innovation behind their product and its potential to make outdoor recreation safer for winter sports enthusiasts.
With Oregon's strong connection to outdoor recreation and mountain sports, Cascade Safety Systems exemplifies how student entrepreneurs are developing solutions inspired by the needs of their communities. Their thoughtful approach to addressing a life-threatening safety challenge earned them recognition as the 2nd Place team at this year's InventOR Finals.
Congratulations to Jared, Makani, and Hunter on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to following the continued development of Cascade Safety Systems and seeing the impact the Tree Well Guardian can have on winter recreation safety.
First Place — PNW Assistive Technology | $10,000
Oregon State University
Representing Oregon State University (Corvallis), PNW Assistive Technology earned 1st Place and took home the $10,000 Grand Prize for their work developing adaptive mobility devices that empower children with disabilities.
The team—Alex Lind, Torin Campbell-Kaswell, Callaway Macovis, Palmer Campbell-Kaswell, Jake Enos, Anastasia Kaurova, and Sander Moffitt—is part of a Eugene-based nonprofit committed to making assistive technology more accessible to families throughout the Pacific Northwest.
PNW Assistive Technology designs and distributes adaptive mobility devices and toys for children with disabilities across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho at no cost to families. By partnering with medical providers and community organizations, the team creates physical therapy tools that encourage movement, independence, and play while expanding access through school workshops and student-led build events.
One of their most recent innovations is a compact Go Baby Go car designed for children ages 6 months to 4 years. The modified ride-on vehicle provides young children with greater opportunities for independent mobility while supporting early physical development in an engaging and accessible way.
Throughout the InventOR program, the team refined their venture through mentorship, customer discovery, and feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Their compelling final presentation showcased not only the technical and practical impact of their work but also the meaningful difference their organization is making in communities across the region.
By earning the competition's top honor, PNW Assistive Technology joins a growing network of InventOR alumni whose ventures are addressing real-world challenges through innovation, collaboration, and purpose.
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