The Bradley Mottier Innovation Competition in Systems Engineering

Do you have a great idea for a business plan you've been looking for a chance to develop? Here's a chance to form a team to build the plan, and win up to $5000, along with credibility to attract resources to make your idea a reality.

The Mottier Innovation Challenge is an annual event, housed in the department of Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering (ISE). The challenge runs from September through December and aims to stimulate innovation, engender team spirit and cooperative problem solving, and develop ideas that are financially and socially sustainable.

Guidelines

Team Awards

• The selection committee will evaluate and select the top three teams and offer awards as follows:
  • 1^st place - $5,000.00
  • 2^nd place - $2,000.00
  • 3^rd place - $1000.00

Application Process

• To enter, you need to know:
  • Project title
  • Team members
  • Goal of your innovation
  • How this goal is currently accomplished, and the limits of current practice
  • What's different in your approach
  • Risks and payoffs of your project
  • Cost and timeline of your project
• Applications will be selected based on intellectual merit, with preference to projects with a positive societal impact
• A dedicated web page is available for online applications, containing all pertinent dates, innovation themes, presentation format, eligibility requirements and deadlines for the Challenge. A standardized application template is used to ensure projects are similarly evaluated and applicants are given equal consideration
• Course credit will not be offered by the ISE Department
• Top three teams must attend the ISE Awards Banquet

Eligible Participants

• The Challenge is open to all students, undergraduate and graduate, enrolled in the College of Engineering
• A maximum of 10 teams of students are eligible to participate in the Challenge each year
• Competing teams must be composed of a minimum of 2 students and a maximum of 4 students
• At least two students – undergraduate or graduate - from each team must be enrolled in the ISE department
• A maximum of 3 graduate students can be on a competing team

Process and Criteria

• The Challenge will be a three-step process. Each step will provide incentives to progress through the challenge and complete the project:
  • Application - projects will be approved by the selection committee before teams are allowed to compete
  • Midterm Report – teams are encouraged to submit a report at the Challenge’s midterm, which will impact total points awarded for projects
  • Final Presentation – involves a written report and an oral presentation that may be accompanied by posters, computer graphics and design model(s)
• Focus will be on the practical viability of the idea and soundness of the business plan, as well as potential social impact
• Selection criteria will be composed of a rubric assigning points to:
  • Answer Heilmeier’s Catechism questions:
    • What are you trying to do? Articulate your objectives using absolutely no jargon.
    • How is it done today, and what are the limits of current practice?
    • What's new in your approach, and why do you think it will be successful?
    • Who cares? If you're successful, what difference will it make? What are the risks and the payoffs?
    • How much will it cost? How long will it take? What are the midterm and final "exams" to check for success?

Challenge Timeline Fall Semester (2024)

• September 15 – Deadline for team participants 
• September 19 - Kickoff event 
• October 20 – Mid-term reports due
• December 1 – Final reports due
• December 6 – Final presentations and judging 
• December 16 - Announce the top three teams

• Participating teams will be reimbursed up to $500 for expenses, including of materials, equipment, and other critical items needed to compete.

Mottier Challenge Winners