Convergence Innovation Competition Looking for Student Participants

Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology (IPaT) and the Research Network Operations Center (RNOC) are looking for undergraduate and graduate students for this semester’s Convergence Innovation Competition. 

Students participating in the competition, also known as the CIC, create technology products, applications, and experiences in categories determined by campus, industry, and community partners. Each fall and spring semester, they work individually or on teams and can submit class projects or projects unrelated to a class. Current Georgia Tech graduate and undergraduate students, as well as those enrolled in the Institute the previous semester, are all eligible to participate.

Here are the categories for the Fall 2019 Convergence Innovation Competition:

Climate Solutions, in partnership with the Georgia Tech Global Change Program, is focused on developing practical solutions related to climate change. Solutions may contribute to limiting carbon emissions, coping with environmental, social, or business changes, or promoting a greater understanding of how climate change impacts wellbeing and prosperity.

Health on the Move promotes the vision that all individuals — regardless of age, socioeconomic status, or health — fully engage in life, sustaining relationships, independence, and quality of life while continuing to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Innovation in this category will support health and wellbeing in any phase of life.

Players and Fans encompasses innovations that benefit athletes, artists, entertainers, esports gamers, fans, team owners, or professionals, whether at the amateur, youth, or professional level. Solutions could focus on improving performance, expanding access and interest in the craft, lowering financial or other barriers to participation, skills acquisition, injury prevention, and enhancing the fan experience.

Competition organizers are reminding students that the solutions outlined in these categories are suggestions to spark ideas. If you have a question about whether your idea fits, send an email to RNOC. 

RNOC also provides access to the App Lab in the Technology Square Research Building, where students can get help with their projects and check out mobile devices for testing.

Students must submit competition entries on the project submission page by Sunday, November 10, at midnight. The invitation-only CIC demo and judging event is on Wednesday, November 13, from 4-7 pm at IPaT’s Centergy Building location.

Winning CIC entries include a working end-to-end prototype and a value proposition model. Previous winners have leveraged their CIC experience to participate in other competitions, find internship and job opportunities, and commercialize their projects.

Learn more about the CIC, including sponsorship opportunities, at cic.gatech.edu.