Innovation Challenge competition set

Ever wonder how entrepreneurs seen on Shark Tank get their start? The Innovation Challenge is one way Cal State Long Beach students can begin developing their own potential business model and maybe land a spot on the reality show.

The annual Innovation Challenge allows students from across the university the chance to put their ideas and business savvy to use and make a difference in local and perhaps global communities. The winning team receives $10,000 in seed funding, marketing and legal and accounting services totaling an estimated $40,000.

The second Innovation Challenge workshop, featuring Professor Bruce Sparks, was held last week in the Duncan Anderson Design Gallery, but there are two mixers coming up that give participants the chance to meet people of different diciplines to build and strengthen their teams. Check the school's Innovation Challenge website for dates and further details. 

Sparks believes that that budding entrepreneurs not only have to understand their market, but the product needs to make sound financial sense. Writing out a business proposal is helpful.

Last year’s winners, Anthony Gonzalez, Gina Gionta, and Eric Lara created a mobile boxing gym that catered to seniors. They proposed traveling to assisted living and recreational centers to teach seniors about the benefits of non-contact boxing.

A solar-powered cellphone charger (pictured) earned Calvin Leung, Rudy Delgado, Oscar Dossland, Alec Selfridge, and Dylan Smith and their company, 1010 Innovations Labs, one of four finalist slots last year.

Entries are due in February 2017 and judging is done in March 2017. Winners will be announced in April 2017.