Overview
The Idea is an innovation competition exclusively for veterinary students aimed at spurring creativity and innovation directed toward animals, veterinarians, and/or veterinary students.
Concept
Ideas can include new products, tools, services, or technologies that can improve the veterinary field. A passion for and knowledge of the area are most critical in pushing your idea forward.
Stage
Entries can be anywhere from the beginning of a concept to an actual prototype product. A very strong idea alone can go quite far in this competition.
Goal & Prizes
Help students take their idea and create a plan that could lead to the development of their innovation. The top three teams will take home a combined $17,500+ in cash prizes.
Kickoff & Launch Event
19 March 2016 - SAVMA Convention 2016 in Ames, Iowa
After mingling over food and drinks, several speakers shared their inspiring stories of how an idea has changed their lives and the lives of others. The Kickoff event served to encourage students to put their thinking caps on, assemble a team, and start to explore whether they have the next big idea in veterinary medicine!
INTRODUCTION
Ira Gordon, DVM, DACVR
BACKSTORY & INSPIRATION
Mauricio Dujowich, DVM, DACVS
KEYNOTE
Randy Acker, DVM
KEYNOTE
Dani McVety, DVM
KEYNOTE
Nikhil Joshi, VMD
Time Line
Important Events and Milestones
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19 March 2016
Launch & Kickoff Event: Registrations Open
The competition kicks off at SAVMA 2016 with a huge launch event featuring food, drinks, and great speakers. Registration will officially begin at the event that marks the start of the year-long journey to find The Idea.
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15 July 2016
Submissions Due
Individuals and teams must register online for the competition and submit their preliminary idea by 15 July 2016.
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August 2016
Semi-finalists & Mentors Announced
The judges and organizers will meet to review the submissions and choose the best ideas. Semi-finalists will be announced and those individuals/teams will then begin working with their mentor/coach.
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January 2017
Proposals Due & Finalists Chosen
Full proposals are due in January 2017. The finalists will then be chosen based on the submitted proposals and those individuals/teams will start preparing for their live pitches and presentations at SAVMA 2017 in Texas.
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March 2017
Live Finals Pitches at 2017 SAVMA Convention (Texas)
After months of team meetings and development, the final teams will make their pitches live to the judges and panel. The top three teams will be awarded a total of more than $17k in cash prizes while the winner also receives a huge boost toward making their idea a reality.
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The Real
Innovating
Begins!
About
The competition is being organized by leadership from VetPrep. Additional panelists and judges will be announced in due time.
Ira Gordon, DVM, DACVR
Co-founder
Mauricio Dujowich, DVM, DACVS
Co-founder
Steve Shaw, DVM, DACVIM
Co-founder
We're excited to announce our judges and mentors. They have each brought innovative ideas to life in their own work and are thrilled to have the opportunity to advise others on doing the same in their own right.
Semi-finalists
Teams & Ideas
We have blown away by the number of entries in The Idea, Veterinary Student Innovation Competition! Thank you to all teams for submitted your awesome Ideas for consideration. Congratulations to the following teams - our semi-finalists!
| Participant(s) | School/University | Concept | Mentor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelsey Bailey | Louisiana State University | Medical Device | Dr. Alejandro Ramirez Iowa State University |
| Jared Baum | University of Florida | Surgical Device | Dr. Peter Lotsikas Skylos Sports Medicine |
| Ally Yi Chen | University of Calgary | Medical Device | Dr. Mary Gardener Lap of Love |
| Parker Collins, Christopher Payton, and Kimberly Mistarz | University of Georgia | Nutrition Device | Dr. Jennifer Larsen University of California Davis |
| Eloise Cucui | Cornell University | Diagnostic Device | Dr. Jeff Zuba San Diego Zoo Global |
| Wendy Evans, Kaitlin McDaniel | University of Missouri | Ancillary Service Concept | Dr. Dani McVety Lap of Love |
| Jennifer Groover | University of Florida | Medical Device | Dr. Ed Cooper The Ohio State University |
| Joel Helbling, Rebecca Gibbs | Colorado State University | Medical Device | Dr. Chuck Widmeyer University of Missouri, Columbia |
| Erin Koballa | North Carolina State University | Medical Supplement | Dr. Jodi Davis Royal Canin |
| Zach Loppnow, Mikayla Schroeder | University of Minnesota | Ancillary Service Concept | Dr. Jess Trichel Live Oak Bank |
| Oren Ofer, Andrew Popp, Steven Nguyen | Western University of Health Sciences | Diagnostic Device | Dr. Brian Scansen Colorado State University |
| Joshua Packer, Jacob Van Dyke, Mark Robison | Washington State University | Animal Information Device | Kalpesh Raval VitusVet |
| Jordan Palubicki | University of Minnesota | Medical Supplement | Dr. Justin Shmalberg University of Florida |
| Anna Pennacchi, Caitlin Conner, Tyler Kosich, Sharon Venglar, Sam McDonald | Texas A&M | Client Communication Concept | Dr. Mark Russak Past President AAHA, NBVME Member |
| Ally Radford, Mary Rentfrow | University of Florida | Ancillary Service Concept | Nick Padlo The Pet Loss Center |
| Lauren Redies | University of Saskatchewan | Nutrition Device | Dr. Brent Mayabb Royal Canin |
| Becky Riedel | Auburn University | Medical Device | Dr. David Wong Iowa State University |
| Andres Rivera-Velez | Texas A&M | Animal Information Device | Dr. Adam Little Texas A&M University |
| Richard (Todd) Smith | Louisiana State University | Husbandry Device | Dr. Nikhil Joshi VCA |
| Aaron Spacher | Auburn University | Animal Information Device | Dr. Mark Olcott VitusVet |
| Megan Sullivan | University of Florida | Animal Information Device | Caitlin DeWilde The Social DVM |
finalists
Congratulations!
