Enter the TriNet Challenge today!

A UC San Diego partnership of the Rady School of Management, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the von Liebig Center for Entrepreneurism and Technology Advancement at Jacobs School of Engineering, the Triton Innovation Network (TriNet) encourages anyone with an innovative idea to get connected.

The Goal

The goal of the Challenge, sponsored by the Scripps Foundation, is to promote innovation and commercialization within the three schools and provide entrepreneurially-minded scientists and engineers with the opportunity to develop and advance their technology?s commercialization plan while providing an avenue for potential funding. The Challenge provides networking opportunities ? bringing together scientists and engineers with entrepreneurs ? and personalized mentoring by experienced businesspersons. The top three projects will also receive cash prizes.

The Process

Anyone with a current affiliation at Scripps Oceanography, Jacobs School of Engineering, or Rady School of Management may apply ? student, faculty or staff. The application is a short Statement of Interest, described below. After all statements have been received, approximately five semifinalists will be selected.

Semifinalists will be paired with business advisors from the von Liebig Center. These experienced entrepreneurs will assist participants as they hone their product, market and business concepts, as well as coach them on their presentation (see below). All semifinalists will also be alerted to additional potential funding opportunities.

All semifinalists will give a 5-minute presentation at the TriNet Challenge on January 17, 2013 in Wells Fargo Hall (Rady School of Management). The signature event of the Triton Innovation Network, this well-attended public event draws its audience from the university as well as local business and venture communities.

Timeline

• October 2012 — Mixers at SIO, Jacobs and Rady
• November 9, 2012 — Statement of Interest due
• November 26, 2012 — Semifinalists selected
• January 17, 2013 — TriNet Challenge

Cash Prizes

• 1st place — $6,000
• 2nd place — $3,000
• 3rd place — $1,500
• Audience prize — $500

1st — 3rd place prizes also include additional vLC business advisor mentoring and Rady MBA student collaboration

Statement of Interest Guidelines

(Word document, 2 page maximum, 12-point font minimum):

• Descriptive project title
• Name of the lead applicant and any team members; include department, phone and e-mail addresses for all
• Identify the unmet need that is being addressed, describe the market, the size of the opportunity and the technology that is being applied to address the unmet need
• Summarize the current state of development (concept, data available, prototype built)
• Describe the competitive advantage, barriers to entry and go to market strategy
• Describe prior funding sources and the status of the intellectual property protection for the technology **

To be considered for the Triton Innovation Network Challenge, applications must be submitted via e-mail to BusinessDevelopment@sio.ucsd.edu by 5:00pm November 9, 2012.

*** If your technology originates from UCSD, you must consult the UC San Diego Technology Transfer Office prior to submitting your application and if applicable, file an invention disclosure. If you are unsure whether this applies to you, please contact Sr. Licensing Officer Dave Gibbons (dgibbons@ucsd.edu; x40175)