Idea to Product (I2P) Competition
Nov 3 2007

Yesterday I served as a feedback judge for the international I2P competition.  I have served as a judge before and every time they ask me I usually say ‘yes’ and every time the date approaches I wonder to myself why I said ‘yes’ because of all the other things I have going on.  And every time I do it I am so glad I said ‘yes!’

In 2001, I was one of the original committee members involved in early discussions on how to set up the program and now through the hard work and dedication of the Engineering and Business schools faculty and staff, it is the premier tech commercialization competition in major universities around the world!

The Idea to Product® Competitions, founded at The University of Texas at Austin, are early-stage technology commercialization plan competitions that aim for unique product ideas with clear market demand that use innovative technologies.  The goal is educating and developing the next generation of technology entrepreneurs. The program is particularly interested in matching technologies resulting from a university’s fundamental research programs with potential markets.

It is a wonderful experience.  The students are brilliant.  They travel to Austin, Texas from all over the world.  The technology is amazing (even ground breaking).  The different approaches to the markets are fascinating.  It’s a great break from the day to day of my own start-up and so energizing to see the entrepreneurial spirit and drive so alive.  The set of student teams I gave feedback to included ideas ranging from technology to increase the life of wireless sensor batteries, tests to help pathologists decrease the time to identify and diagnose certain types of cancer, and tests to decrease the time it takes to get a cancer drug to market.

One of the most rewarding things for me is the fact that I might be able to help a couple of these teams (assuming they are serious about obtaining the full rights to the technology and starting a business) with some introductions to other people who could quite possibly help them out.

Who wouldn’t get excited about the potential of these types of technology and more importantly these students who want to change the world!

Go Teams!

Author: Aruni | Filed under: competition, entrepreneurship | Comments Off on Idea to Product (I2P) Competition

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