Pavlis Honors College Husky Innovate News & Events

Husky Innovate Promote Your Innovation with Social Media deadline to apply 1/14/2020

Billions of dollars have been raised worldwide through crowdfunding.  Consequently crowdfunding has gained popularity as an alternative way to finance innovations and entrepreneurial efforts.  Typically we think of crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Rockethub; but did you know that Michigan Tech hosts its own crowdfunding platform called Superior Ideas to recruit funding for projects at the University?  Each year, in partnership with Husky Innovate, Superior Ideas hosts the Rekhi Innovation Challenge, a crowdfunding competition in which the winner receives awards including a match of up to $1,000 of the funds raised on the platform. This year’s project submission deadline is midnight January 22 (email Natasha Chopp, nichopp@mtu.edu to apply).   Those who are interested in getting prepped for the Rekhi Innovation challenge and other crowdfunding opportunities should not miss this workshop on January 15, 2020.  Register at http://bit.ly/socialmediacrowdfundingworkshop


Husky Innovate Speaker Series – Networking Talk with Darnishia Slade deadline to register 1/17/2019

Come join us on January 21st for an interactive talk with Darnishia Slade of the Pavlis Honors College.  Dar will reframe networking as an activity to learn, share, and connect professionally and not just a sales pitch about oneself.  Dar will lead us through icebreaker activities, tips, and natural approaches to make key professional connections and build your network.  She will discuss misconceptions about networking and lead us through a networking activity.  This talk is scheduled before Career Dayto give students a chance to practice and develop their everyday networking skills but these skills are applicable in many situations.  Register here – http://bit.ly/HISpeakerSeriesDarSlade


Rekhi Innovation Challenge (see above) deadline to apply 1/22/20 at Midnight (email Natasha Chopp, nichopp@mtu.edu to apply) Voting commences 2/1-29/20.


Husky Innovate Bob Mark Pitch Competition deadline to apply 1/24/2020

If you want to present at the Bob Mark Business Model Boot Camp on January 29th, 7:00 – 9:00 PM in the Atrium of the U.J. Noblet Forestry Building. The deadline to register is January 24th. Priority will be given to student contestants who have gone through either I-Corps or the Business Model Boot Camp. Register for the Bob Mark Competition at http://bit.ly/BobMarkBusinessModelPitchCompetition. Thousands of dollars worth of cash prizes will be awarded to top winners.

Husky Innovate Silicon Valley Experience deadline to apply 2/10/2020

Aspiring student entrepreneurs and innovators are invited to apply for the Michigan Technological University Silicon Valley Experience, a Spring Break immersive tour of California Bay Area companies that includes meetings with entrepreneurs and Michigan Tech alumni who are leaders in their field. The deadline to apply is February 10th, 2020.  The application form can be found at SVE Experience 2020 Application. Up to sixteen students will be guaranteed a slot on the trip. Priority will be given to students who have been previously engaged with innovation and entrepreneurship and articulate continued engagement on their application. Major funding for this trip is provided by the 14 Floors alumni group.  Husky Innovate – a collaboration between the Pavlis Honors College, the College of Business, and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization is co-hosting this with 14 Floors.  

Silicon Valley is known for its technology breakthroughs, high-tech startups, innovative companies and Fortune 1000 companies.  Its innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem including culture, policies, talent, resources, and networks serve as inspiration for students.

The Silicon Valley Experience will showcase multiple perspectives of a day in the life of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and business leaders. This tour will provide an interactive opportunity for students to discover more about a variety of industry settings, to sample various innovative corporate cultures through tours and presentations, and to meet and talk with successful alumni entrepreneurs.  

Students who apply and are accepted will have the opportunity to:

  • Tour companies like Google, Netflix, Hewlett Packard, Facebook, Ford, as well as the Michigan Tech alumni startup company Handshake
  • Meet with entrepreneurs and innovators
  • Talk with Michigan Tech alumni who are leaders in their field
  • Get answers to your real-world business, innovation, and leadership questions
  • Gain firsthand knowledge of the enterprises that are revolutionizing global business

Lodging, ground transportation to and from toured companies and some food will be covered. Students will be responsible for arranging and paying for their own air travel. As part of the student application, students will create a 2-minute video describing how they will share their experience with the Michigan Technological University community upon completion of their travel in order to positively contribute to our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students who have a demonstrated financial need can apply for a limited travel scholarship.