Procedure to test healthy embryo wins UH Breakthrough Innovation Challenge

Accuity Consulting Services President Julia Okinaka, Goog Egg team members Arif Rahman and Kainalu Matthews (center) and PACE Executive Director Peter Rowan.
Accuity Consulting Services President Julia Okinaka, Goog Egg team members Arif Rahman and Kainalu Matthews (center) and PACE Executive Director Peter Rowan.

A team called "Good Egg," which consist of two electrical engineering students, won the 2017 UH Breakthrough Innovation Challenge on November 16. Sponsored by the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship (PACE), the team captured the top prize of $1,000 for their innovative idea that provides a solution to world hunger in developing countries. Team Osmopot received second place prize of $500 and team Good Egg received the Audience Choice award for $500. More than 60 people attended the event at The Pacific Club to view presentations of finalists.

Finalists included: 

  • Biobattery provides an affordable, biofriendly, non-explosive/non-toxic solution for energy storage.
  • Good Egg developed a noninvasive test for embryo health-check during In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) of bovine cattle.
  • Hyetopura is a deconstructed water-filtering straw that allows the user to disassemble and reassemble the device themselves.
  • Osmopot is a water conservation and solar purification potted plant technology.

UH teams were chosen from a 2-minute video in which they detailed their breakthrough idea and its market potential. A preliminary judging panel selected four finalists. PACE then matched the finalists with coaches from the local business community to help the teams further identify commercial opportunities for the idea and develop a five-minute presentation.

“This event showcases and celebrates the innovative ideas of our students at UH,” said Peter Rowan, Executive Director of PACE. “Many of the finalists study disciplines other than business, so for them, it’s their first taste of business and entrepreneurial concepts. Our hope is that they are inspired by the experience, and decide to further develop their idea by competing in the more rigorous Spring business plan competition.”

To read more, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2017/11/21/engineering-students-win-uh-innovation-challenge/