The four Tracks for Concept Competition are listed below, along with descriptions and submissions details. Choose a track after navigating through the track descriptions below.

While your concept may seem appropriate for more than one track, you must choose ONE track to enter. Not sure which track to choose? Email one of the point of contacts from the tracks below!

ENGINEERING AND HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES TRACK

Hosted by: School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law, College of Arts & Sciences, School of Medicine, School of Nursing
Point of Contact:  Jim Cheng with Engineering, Rahul Keshap with the School of Law

Description: Projects in this track have drawn on any of the engineering disciplines, computer science, or medical and physical sciences, to develop solutions to meet or solve a societal or consumer need. The underlying discovery or innovation can originate from any of the science, medical and engineering disciplines: anatomy, genetics, immunology, materials, chemical, aerospace, electrical, computing, biology, physics, math, etc. Distinctly new applications of university-based research and capstone projects are eligible. any product or service where the primary customers would be hospitals, health and wellness centers or medical professionals.

Examples:

• Chip enabled credit card
• Wearable device to manage medication
• Process for recycling gray water
• Smart car
• Solar roadway
• Cyber security system
• Micro-plastics filter
• Improved method for hand-washing in hospitals
• Sensor technology to enable care of loved ones
• Device to enhance physical therapy

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK

Hosted by: Batten, Curry, Architecture
Point of Contact: Amanda Crombie with Batten School, Matthew Wheelock with School of Education.

Description: Projects in this track are sustainable business models with a mission to have a positive social impact. These social ventures may be for-profit or non-profit but they must be financially sustainable – that is, have a business model if for profit or a revenue generating model if non-profit, also referred to as an earned income stream. Concepts should consider their “triple bottom line” – financial sustainability, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. “Financial Sustainability” means that the concept should include how the entity will earn revenue to continue operating over time (i.e. not grant or charity based). The social impact for a for-profit is credited more when the mission of the venture is well integrated with how the venture generates income, for example a one-for-one model is stronger than a model where a percentage of profits is donated to a charity.

Examples of Social Enterprises: TOMS shoes, Warby Parker, Ethos Water (one for one models), Solar City (clean energy), Seventh Generation (environmentally friendly consumer goods), Graystone Bakery, Women’s Bean Project (employment for empowerment), or Impact Makers (consulting for good).

CONSUMER/BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS TRACK

Hosted by: Darden/McIntire School of Commerce
Point of Contact: MJ Toms and Eric Martin with McIntire

Description: Projects in this Track focus upon some new market category as yet unmet, or some pre-existing market need/want that is underserved — with either potential as customers, consumers or businesses. Meeting these needs/wants may not require any scientific breakthroughs. Instead, your project makes use of what’s available, perhaps in a novel way, to develop a compelling, even—dare we say— sophisticated solution.

Examples: An online marketplace for connecting fashion designers with feedback and customers; A new, healthy-food service on the Corner; A social media app that makes it easier to plan group events; A platform that helps private schools manage their finances and operations.

UVA-WISE (FOR STUDENTS WHO ATTEND: UVA COLLEGE AT WISE ONLY!)

Hosted by: UVA-Wise
Point of Contact: Shankar Naskar with UVA Wise

Description: This track is for all projects competing in the E-Cup at UVA College at Wise in Wise, VA.