Applications open for second annual BIG Pitch Competition
Undergraduate and graduate collegiate innovators who have creative and sustainable solutions are invited to submit their ideas for the second annual BIG Pitch Competition, hosted by and 糖心Vlog鈥檚.
This year鈥檚 BIG Pitch Competition focuses on sustainability and invites individuals or teams to submit solutions and innovations that improve economies, health and the environment for the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize. Applications are now open, and applicants are encouraged to apply early. The deadline is Sept. 30.
Eight finalists will be invited to present their ideas and solutions at Ocean Exchange Nov. 11 in front of 150 delegates representing businesses, NGOs, academia and government. Delegates will vote on who receives the cash award.
鈥淭he board and team at Ocean Exchange are excited for year two of the BIG Pitch Competition,鈥� said Ocean Exchange CEO, Millicent Pitts. 鈥淟ast year exceeded our expectations in the quality of the solutions that applied. Our delegates at the Ocean Exchange event were gratified to see young adults so engaged in sustainability innovations and entrepreneurship, both cornerstones of our existing Gulfstream庐 Navigator and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Orcelle庐 Awards. Frankly, I see BIG Pitch as a pipeline to bring solutions into our greater awards process as those collegiate innovations mature in one-five years.鈥�
Last year鈥檚 competition drew nearly 30 collegiate team applicants from around the country, Canada and India. Opus 12 from Stanford University was selected as the winner for its sustainable innovation, 鈥淩enewable Fuel Production from Carbon Dioxide,鈥� which uses technology developed at Stanford University to take carbon dioxide and convert it into usable fuel, ethanol that can then be used by oil refineries and corn ethanol plants.
鈥淏IG Pitch is quickly becoming one of the premiere platforms for college students to showcase their innovative concepts,鈥� said Business Innovation Group Director Dominique Halaby, D.P.A. 鈥淭eams are coming from across the globe for the exposure that comes from presenting in front of such an esteemed delegation.鈥�
Since winning the competition, Opus 12 has won grants from the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF), and also won DOE鈥檚 2015 among several other awards. Nicholas Flanders, the co-founder and CEO of Opus 12 was also featured among for energy. Opus 12 was also selected by to receive funding for an initial feasibility study.
BIG Pitch is part of the Business Innovation Group, in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 College of Business Administration. For more information about the competition and to apply, please visit.
Ocean Exchange is an international non-profit with the mission of helping advance the adoption of transformative solutions that support sustainability. Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics are worldwide sponsors.
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