The Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE):
Breakthrough Innovation Challenge

Organized in partnership with the UH College of Engineering

Sponsored by the UH Office of Technology Transfer and Economic Development

New in Fall 2009

UH's first Challenge of its kind will provide UH students and faculty the opportunity to:

1. bring attention and recognition to their innovations with the winners receiving cash prizes;
2. network with community leaders and others within the University who may be helpful in the further development of the innovation; and
3. create a fun, learning environment for competitors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to classified UH students and faculty employed by UH
• Individuals and/or teams may compete
• Innovation must have been created at UH

Entry Requirements

• Be a maximum of 4 pages, double-spaced
• Explain the innovation
• Explain the necessity of the innovation in the current market
• Explain the uniqueness of the innovation
• Demonstrate completion of a preliminary search with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or U.S. Copyright Office

Video: Skills Workshop & Mixer

[QuickTime video – 182 MB]

Paper Submission Guidelines

All entries must be submitted in two formats by 5:00 pm on October 29, 2009

• ONE file as an e-mail attachment to pace@hawaii.edu
  • File must be no more than 2MB and preferably in one combined PDF
• ONE hard copy to the PACE Office
  • Hand-delivered copies must arrive before 5:00 pm
    Drop off at Shidler College of Business Room E301
  • Mailed copies must be postmarked by October 27, 2009
    2404 Maile Way, E301
    Honolulu, HI 96822

Entry Requirements

1. Cover Sheet
   1. Business Name
   2. Names of all team members
   3. UH Identification number next to each member’s name
2. Summary
   3 - 4 pages (8.5"x11") double-spaced
   1. Font size no smaller than 12pt
   2. Margins of at least 1 inch on all sides
   3. One corner staple. Binding not necessary.
   4. See the following Judging Criteria for content
3. Printout of patent search

Judging Criteria

• Description of the Innovation (20%)
  • Is the innovation clearly described?
• Intellectual Property Search (20%)
  • Was the search adequate?
  • Based on the preliminary search, is there enough evidence to support the uniqueness of this innovation?
• Value of the Innovation (40%)
  • Is the innovation a breakthrough from the status quo?
  • Is there demand from customers in this market for the innovation?
• Market Opportunity (20%)
  • Does the innovation clearly solve a market need?
  • Is the market need large enough to create a profitable business?

Confidentiality

The University of Hawaii Honor Code applies to all participants of the Breakthrough Innovation Challenge. While every effort will be made to preserve the confidentiality of each submission, it is suggested that highly sensitive material be excluded from the entry if a team is concerned about the confidentiality of such material. Note, however, that teams will be making final presentations to an open audience. Of course, technical drawings and formulae need not be shown at this presentation, or even included in the paper. The University of Hawaii and the organizers of the Breakthrough Technology Challenge cannot take further responsibility to protect the intellectual property or other rights of the competitors. Protection of such rights is ultimately the responsibility of each competitor. Competitors are urged to mark as "CONFIDENTIAL" any portion of their entries which they consider to be confidential.