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What participants say

Hoopla Rack

Hoopla Rack,
third place and $4,000,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity;
third place and $700,
Tong Prototype Prize;
and Younkle Best Presentation Award

“Through the whole process, I actually began to see my design turn into a prototype, and now my prototype might actually become a patented reality. By the end, I was so happy that I had chosen to take a chance on myself and do something that brought my engineering and hooping life together.”

—Danielle McIntosh

Pen Smart

Pen Smart,
$1,000 Judges’ Award for Special Merit,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity

“I thought of this product two years ago—I wrote it down and kind of forgot about it for awhile. And I realized that if I didn’t do it, I’d always regret it, so I just decided to pursue it. The competition is a great outlet for anyone interested in innovation and development. The experience gives you the tools to develop the idea and the confidence to continue.”

—Daniel Gartenberg

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Tong Prototype Prize 2007

Wedell AT Binding Interface

Wedell AT Binding Interface (large image)
Wedell AT Binding Interface

Wedell AT Binding Interface: A system that provides alpine touring abilities to a standard downhill skiing system

“I’ve been backcountry skiing for a while, and I didn’t see a low-cost alternative for getting into the sport, since most of the startup equipment is very expensive, so I decided to make something. I looked a lot at body mechanics and materials analysis. I learned to get creative with the materials. I really enjoyed it, and hopefully I’ll have this product on the market within five years. That’s the plan.”
— Geoffrey Wedell Gullickson

Innovator: Geoffrey Gullickson



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