What participants say …

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,
$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

Innovators in the news …
articles about past competitors

Personal In-flight Exercise System (PIFEE)

Personal In-Flight Exercise Equipment (PIFEE): an exercise device that allows the user to stimulate the lower leg muscles during long airline flights to help prevent the occurrence of blood clots in the legs.

Stephanie Wysocky, Brent Schultz, Mark Schumacher, Chris Wessing and Jennifer Rutt display their exercise device that enables the user to stimulate the lower-leg muscles during long airline flights to prevent blood clots in the legs. (large image)

Personal In-flight Exercise System (PIFEE) (large image)