The judges have chosen Linq SmartVents as the 2014 Student Innovator of the Year and grand prize recipient of $5,000. They also received the $1,000 prize for "Crowd Favorite."
This year’s competition started with 40 contestants which were narrowed down to eight finalists. Innovation enthusiasts, interested investors and supportive peers packed the WSC Varsity Theatre Thursday to watch the finalists present their inventions.
Linq, awarded the first place prize, created SmartVents that improve the efficiency of a home's heating and air conditioning, saving the average home over 25 percent on its total energy usage. Linq SmartVents use proprietary hardware and self-optimizing predictive modeling algorithms to learn and optimize HVAC usage patterns. Linq's members include Mason Wooley, a BYU electrical engineering major; Jason Griggs, a BYU chemical engineer and Caleb Moore.
Second place and $3,000 was presented to Kiband, a writstband that parents can use to track the proximity of their children, greatly reducing the risk of a child getting lost.
The $2,000 third place award was given to Clutch Pump, a small, portable air cartridge that can be refilled and used repeatedly to repair flat tires on a bicycle.
The “great potential” title and $1,000 award was given to Simple Citizen. Simple Citizen is a digital solution that helps people submit their U.S. Permanent Residency application online, reminding the user of important deadlines and simplifying the often complex and cost prohibitive process of applying for residency.
Honorable mention awards from the judges were given to the following:
Best business opportunity: Simple Citizen
Best innovation: Penny Pledge
Best engineering work: Inofridge
For more information about the Student Innovator of the Year competition, sponsored by the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology and the Marriott School Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship, can be found at venture.byu.edu/sioy.