2023-2024 COMPETITION KICKING OFF
SIOY Kickoff is Tuesday, September 12th at 6 pm in the Engineering Building event space. Come learn more about the competition, connect with potential teammates, and enjoy pizza from Two Jacks!
The application for the 2023-2024 Student Innovator of the Year competition is open! This means that you can apply now and get up to $400 in funding. Your idea doesn't need to be finished, perfect, or big; it just has to be innovative. The sooner you apply the sooner you can get started!
Click here to download our application guide and see what you need to do to receive up to $400 in funding. Apply by November 1.
SIOY QUICK LINKS
The BYU College of Engineering hosts this student competition each year in partnership with the BYU Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology. The annual Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) competition has kickstarted now-successful companies Owlet, Khione, Myostorm and more across its 13-year history. Competitors are in the running for part of the total $50K in prize money.
Student teams sharpen their innovations throughout the yearthrough activities like the IP Info Session and Speed Mentoring, making their presentations to the public and judges at a showcase on February 13. Finalists are selected to present their ideas on stage in a final event on February 29. Winners and audience favorites receive thousands of dollars of prize money to help make their ideas a reality.
2023 SIOY FINALS RESULTS
1st Place: Bro-less, “Righting agriculture's biggest wrong”
2nd Place: Mindsmith: “Democratizing learning through generative AI”
3rd Place (and crowd favorite): Aerofold Spacer, “Pocket-sized Collapsible Asthma Spacer”
2023 SIOY SHOWCASE RESULTS
FINALISTS
These are the teams that will be presenting on March 1. Each team is awarded $4,000 for making it to Finals. First place will get a total of $12,000, 2nd place $10,000, 3rd place $8,000, and Finals Crowd Favorite will get another $2,000.
Aerofold Spacer, “Pocket-sized Collapsible Asthma Spacer”
Bro-less, “Righting agriculture's biggest wrong”
Cinnamon, “Cleaning Elevated”
Mindsmith: “Democratizing learning through generative AI”
Plant Au Pair, “Give Your Plant a Voice”
Pronto Work, “Gig marketplace for flexible restaurant staffing”
TradeView by Bespoke, “See Your Trade Differently”
HONORABLE MENTION
Each of these teams is awarded $500 and is eligible to enter next year's competition with the same project.
Investor Bot, “Automating Your Real Estate Investing Search”
Ratchet Watch Band, “Perfect Fit, Every Time!”
Safety First, “Safety - don't get stuck without it!”
Self Starter Kits: “Creating Engineers with Curiosity”
REMAINING TOP 20
Each of these teams is still eligible to enter next year's competition with the same project, as are all the teams that weren't selected as finalists.
ACE Athlete Training, “Automated Coaching Expert for Athlete Training”
Align Security, “Security for Your Home on the Road”
Athena, “Empowering and protecting women on the streets”
Cultivate Your Talents Academy: “Learning is better when we help one another.”
FOLD 3, “Luxury wallets engineered to bend the rules.”
NUVÄN Nursing Sling, “Track your baby's milk intake”
Offloading Brace by Eazistep, “Step into recovery”
Smart Home Farming Robot, “The First Smart Farming Robot that Moves”
Swap & Swap
CROWD FAVORITE
More than 740 attendees voted, and this team came out on top, winning $500.
Athena, “Empowering and protecting women on the streets”
Kickstart Your Idea
The annual SIOY competition has kickstarted now-successful companies Khione, MyoStorm and more across its 13-year history.
Ready to get started?
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SIOY JUDGING RUBRIC & RULES
Innovation
- Problem Definition
- Newness/Uniqueness
- Visibility
Engineering
- Prototypes
- Testing
- Engineering Design/Refinement
Impact
- Size of the Market
- Value
SIOY UPCOMING events and deadlines
Check this page for new information regarding the 2023-2024 SIOY Competition.
| Date / Time | Title | Location | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A / Mentoring | Schedule mentoring by emailing SIOY@BYU.EDU | ||
|
Tuesday, September 12
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
|
SIOY Kickoff | EB Event Space | Kick-off your Student Innovator of the Year competition experience. Learn how to receive up to $400 to prototype your idea and how to join the process that will increase your technical and professional development and give you a chance to win part of 50k in total prize money. Network with fellow innovators. |
|
Thursday, October 26
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
|
SIOY Intellectual Property Info Session | EB Event Space | Learn from an IP pro the basics of protecting your innovative ideas and the resources available on campus to help you. |
|
Wednesday, November 01
11:59 PM
|
SIOY Application & Funding Deadline | Applications currently open— apply now! Your team can receive up to $400 in funding to prototype your project. To request funding, follow directions on the SIOY application. Questions? Email sioy@byu.edu. Submitted applications are reviewed weekly until the application deadline. | |
|
Thursday, November 30
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
|
SIOY Speed Mentoring (Mentor Alliance) | Clyde Building (CB) Step-down Lounge | Be mentored by BYU College of Engineering alumni and other industry professionals. Deliver your idea or product pitch, answer questions, and receive high-quality feedback from the mentors. You may just find a mentor for your team for the duration of SIOY and beyond. |
|
Tuesday, February 13
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
|
SIOY Showcase | EB Event Space | This preliminary judging competition determines the seven teams that will advance to the Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) Finals competition. Students, faculty, and the public are invited to attend this fair-style event. |
|
Thursday, February 15
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM
|
SIOY Finalist Mentoring | Engineering Building (EB) | Mandatory - Prior to the final event, each finalist team will be coached by a private mentor in the development of their short presentation. This presentation coaching will focus on including all aspects of the judging rubric while being engaging and entertaining. |
|
Thursday, February 29
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
SIOY Final Competition | EB Event Space | The seven finalist teams will give their presentation to judges in front of a large crowd. Each finalist team will receive $4,000 just for competing in the final event. Finals competition winners will receive additional cash awards of 1st place- $8,000, 2nd place - $6,000, 3rd place - $4,000, and Crowd Favorite - $2,000. Those that attend will get free pizza and have a chance to win awesome prizes! |
Student Resources
Equipment
Labs
Other
Checkout Equipment
ME Checkout Room
154 CB
Services include: free rental of hardware or equipment like electronics, motors, sensors, and gauges. Also offers workspace rentals, project consultation, and access to certain testing equipment (tensile testers, wind and water tunnels, heat treating ovens, digital microscopes, etc.). Students are trained according to the equipment they want to use and their prior experience.HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pmFor questions, contact Kevin Cole:
Email: cole@byu.edu
Phone: (801) 422-7446
ECEn Checkout Room/Shop
416 CB
https://ece.byu.edu/shopA one-stop location for all electronic needs: rent or purchase many types of chips, sensors, and equipment. Services include laser cutting, PCB milling, and 3D printing.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri.: 8am-5pmCONDITION OF USE:
Students cannot take anything off campus. All students must complete safety training through ytrain.byu.edu (search college and then find ECEn checkout room). For purchasing and loan policies, see: https://ece.byu.edu/shop/policies.Labs
MFGEN 101 Lab
101 CTB
https://mfgen.byu.edu/labsThe MFGN 101 Lab is mostly a machine lab that offers metal aids, metal mills, and CNCA equipment. It also has a metal shearing machine.
The MFGEN 101 Lab is only open to students who are in or have taken MFGEN 220 or ME EN 382.
HOURS:
Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pmEmail to reserve. For available times, click here.
MFGEN Weld Lab
140 CTB
https://mfgen.byu.edu/labsThe MFGEN Weld Lab includes stick welding, wire and feed welding, and tig welding.
CONTACT:
Students must go to the lab to schedule or talk with a lab assistant. Hours are posted on the door with contact information as well.CONDITION OF USE:
Students have to have taken a manufacturing welding calss or have proof of past welding experience .MFGEN 3D Printing Lab
155 CTB
https://mfgen.byu.edu/labsThe MFGEN 3D Printing Lab has several kinds of plastic machines for 3D printing and a metal 3D printer.
CONTACT:
Students must go to the lab to schedule or talk with a lab assistant. Hours are posted on the door with contact information as well.CONDITION OF USE:
Students pay to have lab assistants complete their project.MFGEN Waterjet
101 CTB
https://mfgen.byu.edu/labsThe MFGEN Waterjet uses GibbsCam to generate code and a modified Fanuc controller to operate the waterjet.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri.: 8am - 5pmCONDITION OF USE:
Only lab supervisors are allowed to operate the machinery but any student can request something to be made on the machines.Email to reserve.
Foundry
140 CTB
The Foundry consists ofmetal welding, casting, brazing, and soldering lab.
CONTACT:
Dr. Miles, in charge of lab:Email: mmiles@byu.edu
Phone: (801) 422-1858
TA: Juston Goldade
Email: justonjgoldade@gmail.com
BYU Cleanroom
487 CB
https://cleanroom.byu.edu/A class 10 cleanroom used for research in solid state, optoelectronics, photonics, nanotechnology, micro-fabrication, MEMS, micro-fluids, etc.
Contact Jim Fraserhere for use of the BYU Cleanroom.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri.: 7am-5pmIf students are part of the ECE dept. or have a professor who is, they have 24/7 access.
CONDITION OF USE:
Complete training tutorialshere. Attend a 3hr in-lab training, it occurs every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 1-4pm. Contact Jim Fraser and let him know you are attending.Prototyping Lab
EB 117
The Prototyping Lab has 3D printers, waterjet, laser cutting, CNC machines, mills, woodshop, welding equipment, lathes, and hand tools.Click here to book.
OFFICE PHONE:
(801)422-6297HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri.: 8am - 5pmCONDITION OF USE:
Any student can access the lab but they must follow strict safety standards:- Students must wear close-toed shoes, long pants, and bring their own safety googles
- Regardless of machine experience, students must always ask for lab assistant help when running a machine
Plastics & Composites Lab
115 SNLB
The plastics and composites lab offers casting, thermoforming, injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, roto-molding, and most composites processing methods. Sells some limited in-house stock materials for those processes. Does NOT offer part design, material procurement, or mold creation. (Prototyping lab can help with molds!)HOURS OF OPERATION:
Varies each semester according to TA schedules, contact lab to get schedule.CONDITION OF USE:
Available to all students but they must learn about the materials and processes before using the lab. TA's can help but students should come well-informed. Students are welcome to contact Dr. George and his TA's to ask about which materials or processes to research for a given product. (Some equipment requires specific training. When applicable, TA's will indicate and aid in the training process.)CONTACT:
Contact Dr. George for any questions:Email: andy_george@byu.edu
Phone: (801) 422-7878
Presentation
Kickoff
View the presentation slides from the kickoff event to get an overview of SIOY.
Fast Pitch
Learn to present your idea in a concise, informative and engaging way through these resources
Brigham Young University Resources
BYU Technology Transfer Office: Intellectual Property
3760 HBLL
http://techtransfer.byu.eduGet answers about the protection of your intellectual property.
CONTACT:
Phone: (801)422-6266Cougar Creations
1010 WSC
Cougar Creations offers black & white and color copying/printing (self-service available), posters & oversized printing, coil binding, vinyl covers, cutting, 2- & 3-hole drilling, laminating, transparency printing, and pick-up/delivery services.HOURS OF OPERATION:
Fall/Winter Hours:
Mon. - Fri.: 8am - 7pmDoors close at 6:45 pm
Sat.: 11am - 4pm
Spring/Summer Hours:
Mon. - Fri.: 8am - 6pmSat.: 11am - 4pm
CONTACT:
Customer Support: (801) 422-1469printandmail-support@byu.edu
Office phone: (801) 422-2786
Color Center: (801) 422-3794
Click here to visit their website
CougarTech
3rd floor of WSC
CougarTech offers operating system installs, virus removal, software installs, hardware diagnostics, hardware upgrades, hardware repairs, data backup, data recovery, data migration. Students must pay for services.HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon. - Fri. 7:45am - 6pm; Sat. 10am - 6pmClosed for Campus Devotionals - Tues. 10:45am - 11:45am
CONTACT:
Phone: 1(800) 253-2578 (ask for CougarTech), byustore.com@byu.eduEquipment & Tech Services
Level 2 of HBLL
Equipment and Tech Services offers laser cutters, microform, VR, experiential lab, computer accessories, computers and tables, GIS and mapping, instruments, multimedia production equipment, multimedia viewing, printing and copying, and studying tools. See website for entire list of services and products.HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon.: 8am – 9pmTues.: 8am – 9pm
Wed.: 8am – 9pm
Thurs.: 8am – 9pm
Fri.: 8am – 6pm
Sat.: 10am – 6pm
CONTACT:
Email: science_reference@byu.eduPhone: (801) 422-2987. Can also live chat on website here.
Engineering Building Hardware Proving Grounds
1st floor EB
The Engineering Building Hardware Proving Grounds is a project work area with storage cabinets for engineering students only available by reservation.RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Engineering students may use their CAEDM password to log-in on the college reservation website. Near the top of the page, click on arrow to the right of "College Resources" Select "Hardware Proving Grounds," click on desired cabinet, and input the information for approval.Click here to make a reservation.
VMWare Academic Program
Software for running virtual machines on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Click hereto download software for free.
Click hereto download software for free.
Need help with funding?
Check out our funding guidelines below.
SIOY In The News
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BYU SIOY: Students across campus vie for big money to get innovative ideas off the ground
From products for ‘plant parents’ to AI-powered learning platforms for teachers, this year’s Student Innovator of the Year Competition covered a lot of ground. Held every year at BYU, SIOY showcases student innovators vying for bragging rights and cash to get their ideas off the ground.
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Past SIOY contestant James Orgill creates successful YouTube channel
James Orgill wanted to use his chemical engineering degree to help others learn about science, but he never imagined that he would become a popular YouTuber.
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First All-Female Team at SIOY Finals Invents Dating Safety App
The BYU Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering continually encourages females to participate in their programs and events. As one of the largest competitions in the college, SIOY holds many opportunities for competitors, but few females have made it to the finals. This year, that changed, and SIOY had its first female team compete at finals.
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Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease and taking eyecare to third-world countries: BYU student innovators deliver again
Every year innovative students at BYU give their best shot at developing new technologies that can make the world a better place. With $50,000 in prize money on the line, the 2022 Student Innovator of the Year Competition once again delivered potentially life-changing results.
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Female Engineers Represented and Empowered in LaparoVision SIOY Win
Across the nation, female engineering students face the daunting issue of being in the minority. However, at BYU, mechanical engineering student Amanda Lytle Bartschi produces inspiring results for other women in engineering as she defeats the odds and wins awards for her work.
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BYU competition fosters ingenuity and impactful products
Each year, the competition’s contestants never cease to amaze, inspire and motivate with their innovative ideas. This year was no different.
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10th annual SIOY tackles roofing, insulin, satellites, and more
Former Shark Tank competitors awarded $50,000 in prizes throughout 2020 Student Innovator of the Year competition
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2019 Student Innovator of the Year launches business plan into space
Known for launching BYU students’ great ideas into real businesses, this year’s Student Innovator of the Year Competition launched its winner’s idea even further--into space, that is.
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BYU Engineering student entrepreneur becomes CEO of multi-million dollar company Owlet
BYU Chemical Engineering graduate Kurt Workman went from BYU student entrepreneur to multi-million dollar CEO in just a few years.
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BYU Mechanical Engineering alum takes Shark Tank by storm
The BYU alum was a guest judge for the SIOY Final Competition in 2020
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Contact SIOY
Have questions? Don't hesitate to contact us! We genuinely want to help students get involved with this unique and valuable opportunity to be fostered into the next innovator.