Calling all BYU students! The Student Innovator of the Year competition gives you the opportunity to assemble your own team and create an innovative product to solve a pain point. $400 in prototyping funds is available to kickstart the idea and you can win part of $50,000 in total prize money!
Why start now? The final deadline to apply to the competition and for funding is November 1, but teams who begin early usually perform better. So, dive in!
SIOY QUICK LINKS
2024-2025 COMPETITION WINNERS
🏆 First place: Varroa Tech
- A biotechnical solution to remotely detect and monitor parasite levels within beehives
🎉 Second Place: Dry Rise
- A device that tracks how full a bladder is and wakes the user before they have a bedwetting incident
🏅 Third Place: LUNIR Watchbands
- An innovative buckle and watchband that fits every wrist size, adjusts easily, adaptable to all watch pieces
🌟 Crowd Favorite: Varroa Tech
Varroa Tech
Varroa Tech
Dry Rise
Dry Rise
LUNIR Watchbands
LUNIR Watchbands
BRIZI
BRIZI
Indel Industries
Indel Industries
R3ALITY
R3ALITY
SudStream
SudStream
1
of
7
Showcase Results
Finalists
Honorable Mentions
Crowd Favorite
These 7 teams presented to a live audience and judges in the Final Competition on Feb. 27. Each team was awarded $4,000 for making it to Finals, with the first place team receiving a total of $12,000, 2nd place $10,000, 3rd place $8,000, and and the Finals Crowd Favorite winning an additional $2,000.
Brizi
- Ventilated car seat inserts to keep infants cool
DryRise
- A device that tracks how full a bladder is and wakes the user before they have a bedwetting incident
Indel Industries
- Using novel technologies to engineer a treatment for a mutation linked to over 50% of human cancers
LUNIR Watchbands
- An innovative buckle and watchband that fits every wrist size, adjusts easily, adaptable to all watch pieces
R3ALITY
- A compact 3D printer designed to print in any orientation, anywhere (yes, even in space)
SudStream
- An integrated shower and soap delivery system to streamline the showering experience
Varroa Tech
- A biotechnical solution to remotely detect and monitor parasite levels within beehives
Each of these teams is awarded $500 and is eligible to enter next year's competition with the same project.
CompraSi
- An app that empowers local vendors in underserved Guatemalan communities to network through WhatsApp
Crimson
- A robotic crop harvesting assistant that navigates autonomously
Easey Cream
- A cream that can heal eczema
FidgiTech
- A modular fidget box that can be reconfigured at will
Showcase attendees voted, and this team came out on top, winning $500.
Varroa Tech
- Finalist and Crowd Favorite - congrats!
The BYU Ira A. Fulton 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 15-year history. Competitors are in the running for part of the total $50K in prize money.
Student teams sharpen their innovations throughout the year through activities like the IP Info Session and Speed Mentoring, making their presentations to the public and judges at a showcase on February 10. Finalists are selected to present their ideas on stage in a final event on February 26. Winners and audience favorites receive thousands of dollars of prize money to help make their ideas a reality.
Kickstart Your Idea
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SIOY JUDGING RUBRIC & RULES
Engineering
- Engineering Process
- Effectiveness
Innovation
- New or Unique Solution
- Expertise
Impact
- External Validation
SIOY UPCOMING events and deadlines
Check this page for new information regarding the 2025-2026 SIOY Competition.
| Date / Time | Title | Location | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q&A / Mentoring | Schedule mentoring by emailing SIOY@BYU.EDU | ||
|
Thursday, September 11
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. Participate in an ideation activity and network with fellow innovators. |
|
Thursday, October 23
4:00 PM - 5:00 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. |
|
Saturday, November 01
11:59 PM
|
SIOY App & Funding Deadline | Application and funding deadline for the 2025-2026 season. | |
|
Thursday, November 20
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
|
SIOY Speed Mentoring (Mentor Alliance) | EB First Floor | 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 10
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
SIOY Showcase | EB Event Space | Showcase is the heart of the Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) competition where students from across campus share their innovations and receive valuable feedback from the public and industry professionals. This event also serves as the preliminary judging competition to determine the seven teams that will advance to the SIOY Finals competition. You are invited to attend this fair-style event, vote for the Crowd Favorite, and enter to win a prize! |
|
Wednesday, February 25
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
|
SIOY Finals - Rehearsal | EB Event Space | Mandatory - Finalists only. |
|
Thursday, February 26
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
|
SIOY Final Competition | EB Event Space | Attend the SIOY Finals on Thursday, Feb. 26, vote for your favorite team, and enter to win a raffle of epic prizes! Seating opens at 2:30. Pizza 🍕 will be served 2:30-3:15 while supplies last. 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 - and more. |
Student Resources
Other
Equipment
Labs
Presentation
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)422-6266Makerspace
HBLL 4735 (4th Floor)
The Makerspace offers 3D printers, 3D scanners, Laser cutters, Micro Imaging Rig, Sewing Machines, Virtual reality and gaming consoles, wide format printer, wide format scanner, workspace, hand tools, and crafting resources.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon.: 8am – 9pmTues.: 8am – 9pm
Wed.: 8am – 9pm
Thurs.: 8am – 9pm
Fri.: 8am – 6pm
Sat.: 10am – 6pm
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.
Cougar 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
VMWare Academic Program
Software for running virtual machines on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Click here to download software for free.
Click here to download software for free.
Checkout Equipment
ME Checkout Room
107 EB
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.: 8:15am - 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
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.