Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Third annual Innovation Challenge to be held in November

Friday, September 21, 2018
Graphic by Christian Edwin ~ Design Editor

The third annual Southeast Innovation Challenge offers students an opportunity to improve Catapult Creative House.

The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast announced the Southeast Innovation Challenge, which will coincide with this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week on Nov. 12-18.

“It’s a chance for entrepreneurship students to really look at idea creation on something that matters in the marketplace,” assistant professor of the department of management and marketing Dena Hale said. “We are focusing on ways to have an impact on Catapult Creative House.”

Catapult Creative House is a hub for students, faculty and practitioners in a variety of courses, projects and competitions. The learning laboratory allows students to explore the creative entrepreneurship process.

The Southeast Innovation Challenge allows a group of two to three students to describe an innovation program, initiative or service that improves the student experience at Catapult, located at 612 Broadway.

Students who would like to be involved must attend at least one of the informational sessions held at Catapult on Sept. 19, Sept. 27, Oct. 3 or Oct. 12 at noon. Eligibility requirements include being undergraduate students at Southeast who are enrolled in 12 hours or more or graduate students enrolled in 6 hours or more.

Diverse teams with different majors are encouraged by judges.

“I think by having a diverse side to the challenge, of having the different majors, it brings to light what Catapult is which is a conglomerative of all the different programs we have on campus,” Hale said.

The idea pitched will be judged based on a criteria. Students must consider the impact to student life at Southeast, innovation and feasibility.

First, the judges of the competition will award first, second and third place will be awarded, with cash prizes of $750, $500 and $250 to split amongst team members. Those present will vote to select a People’s Choice winner to receive a gift bag of Redhawks memorabilia. The top three winners will be notified by Thursday, Nov. 8 and must present their idea WEdnesday, Nov. 14 in Academic Hall between noon and 1:30 p.m.

A registration form must be completed by Friday, Oct. 19 for the team to have sufficient information about the competition. For more information, visit catapultsemo.com/sic.

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