"Your ideas can change your life"

What is the New Product Innovation Competition?

The New Product Innovation Competition was established by the Sawyer Business School in 2006 to encourage innovation among its students.

The competition was founded by Executive in Residence Sushil Bhatia, a globally known innovator, entrepreneur, inventor, author, and professor, who holds several patents for his innovations.

Eligibility Requirements

Both the Urvashi Bhatia Green Product Award and the Bottom of the Pyramid Award are open to the general public. All other awards are only open to Suffolk University undergraduate and graduate students and alumni.

Contest Rules & Guidelines

• The product ideas only need to be well-formulated ideas. Contestants do not need to physically create their products, but illustrations are encouraged.
• The product can be inspired from an existing product and/or technology, as long as it does not replicate or fully copy an existing consumer product.
• Contestants may apply individually or as a team.
• Submissions will not be accepted after the submission deadline on December 2, 2011.
• Submissions will only be accepted electronically via the online submission form.

Judging Criteria

Here is a list of questions the judges base their decisions on:

• How bold/fresh is the concept?
• How persuasive and coherent is the concept?
• How does the concept meet the customers’ needs?
• How compelling are the concepts’ quantitative and qualitative benefits?
• Does the product have "green" environmental features?
• How does the concept provide a unique competitive advantage?
• What are the risks? Are these risks addressed?

Dates & Deadlines

All entries must be submitted electronically via the online submission form no later than: December 2, 2011.

Finalists will be announced during the Awards Ceremony, which all contenders are encouraged to attend. The ceremony is a great socializing event with free food and beverages.

Finalists will be announced on March 8, 2012, and the winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony in April 2012. Additional details will be available soon.

Prizes

Each entry will be evaluated by a team of business professionals who will decide on the following eight awards:

• Freshman Award
• Sophomore Award
• Junior Award
• Senior Award
• Graduate Award
• Alumni Award
• Bottom of the Pyramid Award*
• Urvashi Bhatia Green Product Award**

The finalists then create product development plans to compete for a Seed Capital Award of up to $50,000 (in cash and professional services).

*The Bottom of the Pyramid Award recognizes inexpensive and useful products designed to help 4+ billion people who live on roughly two dollars a day.

**The Urvashi Bhatia Green Product award, named after Sushil Bhatia's wife, is given to products that meet environmental needs.

For details, contact: sbhatia@suffolk.edu

Challenge Yourself to Dream Big!