Sustainable Innovation: Showcase and Challenge

Join us for the Sustainable Innovation Showcase and Challenge, a university wide event bringing together students, faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups, and industry professionals focused on sustainability, climate technology, and innovation.

This exciting showcase and competition will feature innovative projects, research, business ideas, and early-stage ventures addressing real world sustainability challenges.

Finalists will present their pitches and posters before a panel of judges for the opportunity to win prizes, gain visibility, and connect with leaders from industry, academia, and the regional innovation ecosystem.

Whether you are interested in climate tech, entrepreneurship, sustainability research, or emerging technologies, this event is an opportunity to explore new ideas, support innovators, and build connections across disciplines and sectors.

Competition Awards

Teams and presenters will compete for the following awards:

• Faculty Innovation Award: $4,000

• Student Innovation Award: $3,000 plus a one-year membership and workstation at the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy,

• Poster Session Recognition Award: Up to $200

Judges

• Jennifer Le Blond, Managing Director of Emerging Climatetech at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

• Mark Michalski, Manufacturing Expert in Residence at FORGE

• Barbara Russell, Executive in Residence, Adjunct Professor, and Board Member for the iHub at UMass Lowell

Program Schedule

3:30 PM — Registration, Networking, and Poster Session
Connect with attendees while exploring student, faculty, and startup poster presentations. Refreshments, drinks, and light snacks will be available throughout the event.

4:30 PM — Welcome Remarks
Opening remarks from UMass Lowell and the Rist Institute for Sustainability & Energy.

5:00 PM — Innovation Pitch Presentations
Finalists present their sustainability and climate innovation projects to the judging panel.

6:15 PM — Networking and Judges Deliberation
Continue conversations with presenters, judges, and attendees while judges deliberate.

6:40 PM — Awards and Closing Remarks

Sponsors

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please contact this event’s organizer to make an accommodation request. (Please note: Requests submitted with less than 72 hours' notice may not be reasonable to provide certain accommodations).

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher RIST Institute for Sustainability and Energy