ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ

Arctic Innovation Competition awards to be presented April 20

Morrow Duszynski
907-474-5942
April 17, 2024

The University of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Fairbanks College of Business and Security Management will host the annual Arctic Innovation Competition finals and award ceremony at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel on Saturday, April 20, from 1-5 p.m. 

The event is open to the public, and attendees can win door prizes from The Lodge at Black Rapids, Riverboat Discovery and Gold Dredge 8, ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Railroad, North Pole Coffee Roasting Co., and more. There will be hors d’oeuvres and a chance to mingle with the competitors.

The competition, presented by Usibelli Coal Mine, invites innovators from North America to present  new solutions, inventions and business ideas, which are judged by local engineers and business experts. Competitors will win more than $45,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, including awards from ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ 529.

AIC lets individuals gain exposure for new business ventures, practice pitching to audiences and strengthen ideas through feedback from industry professionals. Competitors enter one of three divisions:  Main (18 years and above), Junior (13-17) and Cub (12 and under). The youth divisions are sponsored by Kinross ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ.

The competition ties into ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ CBSM’s mission to benefit communities in ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ and the Arctic through innovation in teaching, discovery and service. Additional sponsors include GCI and the ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. Founding sponsors are Design ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ and Northrim Bank.

Members of the public can and create an account to vote for their favorite ideas. The deadline for voting is noon, Friday, April 19. Votes may be cast in each division once per day. Each division winner will receive a Chris Marok Allstate Fan Favorite Lego trophy and cash award of $100. 

For questions about the competition, contact AIC staff at 907-474-6518 or uaf-aic@alaska.edu.

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