Innovation Challenge

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Inviting UCLA Students to Solve Real-World Problems Through Technology

We believe the strongest solutions to complex problems come from a diversity of thought, experiences, and backgrounds. This initiative brings together UCLA students from all disciplines and backgrounds to collaborate on driving a positive change in society.

Innovation Challenge Prompts

*Subject to change

Structure

This initiative provides ample opportunities for students to learn from industry leaders at major technology companies, meet and collaborate with like-minded students across campus and receive guidance from subject matter experts to propel their venture to the next level.

Innovation Challenge Events

Cross Campus Tech Mixer - Wed, October 25, 2023 @ 4PM

Team Formation Mixer + Info Session - Tue, November 14, 2023 - 5-7PM

Team Formation Lunch + Info Session - Tue, December 7, 2023 - 11:30AM-1PM

Team Formation Mixer + Info Session - Tue, January 16, 2024 - TBA

View Past Events

Prizes

up to $50k in cash prizes awarded

Team Testimonials

"Participating in the Innovation Challenge was exactly what our team needed to take our idea to the next level - the feedback from the judges not only helped us fortify our strengths, but also pointed out the critical weaknesses that we needed to address. Since the core of our team is rooted in the David Geffen School of Medicine, this competition has opened up our idea to the expertise and perspectives of the broader intellectual community at UCLA. The connections we have made, as well as the publicity and attention our idea has since garnered, have given us tremendous momentum."

CranioView (1st place winner, 2020 Innovation Challenge – Healthcare)

"The Innovation Challenge is the reason we exist today as a new startup. And it took cross-campus collaboration to make this happen! We are a fully remote team who came together after our CTO, a PhD candidate at the Samueli School of Engineering, posted an abstract about this novel, early- cancer screening technology. That one abstract and this Innovation Challenge opportunity catapulted us to push this unique technology out of academia into commercialization where its real world value can be realized. We've had incredible mentors along the way from Anderson and the Sameuli School of Engineering. Business acumen meets Engineering talent -- that's how UCLA can encourage more cross-campus collaboration, regardless of where you live in the world!"

Nur Labs (2nd place winner, 2020 Innovation Challenge – Healthcare)
READ ABOUT NUR LABS

"Our team had identified a critical need in the healthcare system. The Easton Innovation Challenge helped push us to not only come up with a potential concept to address this problem, but also assess the overall context of its impact and develop a roll-out strategy to make it a real world solution."

SigmaSense (3rd place winner, 2020 Innovation Challenge – Healthcare)

Students Driving Change

Newsroom

UCLA Anderson Innovation Challenge 2022 Is on the Horizon

The aim is to solve real-world problems through technology

Nur Labs Engineers Early Lung Cancer Detection Platform

A UCLA cross-campus innovation challenge created synergy for a startup

Partners

Special thanks to Dean Tony Bernardo for his continued support of this very important cross campus initiative

Supporting Organizations

Rules and Contact Information

For questions, please contact Connor Dougherty, Innovation Challenge Program Manager at connor.dougherty@anderson.ucla.edu OR schedule a 1:1 meeting via Calendly.

Easton Technology Management Center