Rise-Up program

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges

What are Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges?

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges, powered by RISE-UP, allows URI students and researchers to contribute to problem-solving for real-world issues within the university environment. In partnership with the URI Honors program and with support from deans, faculty, and staff, challenges are developed with students and researchers. Submissions that excel in innovation, feasibility, creativity, and impact will win cash prizes, as listed below!

By aligning RISE-UP resources with both local and global challenges, the program offers hands-on experiential learning, access to seasoned mentors, and Lean Launchpad-based tools and curriculum. Bootcamps, seminars, and advanced technical resources help participants succeed.

Challenge Overview

This year’s challenge invites students from all majors to generate creative ideas for addressing social, political, environmental, and economic problems through democratic innovation and entrepreneurship.

This challenge aligns with the theme of the Fall 2024 Honors colloquium “Democracy in Peril,” which aims to promote thoughtful and informed dialogue on this issue (amongst scholars, experts, and the broader community), raise awareness of the challenges facing democracy today, and highlight the importance of promoting democratic values and institutions. The full colloquium schedule can be found at https://web.uri.edu/hc/.

2024-25 URI RISE UP I&E Challenge: Democracy

Challenge Requirements Checklist

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During the Fall semester, students interested in participating in the challenge will be required to attend at least two colloquium presentations and must register through the interest form.

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Participating students will form interdisciplinary teams (maximum of 5 students) to identify a problem, establish a mission, and ideate on possible ways to make a positive impact.

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By the end of the Fall semester, participating teams will submit a 1-page problem/mission impact statement for first round judging on the Brightspace project site.

Interest Form

Honors Colloquium Website

Fall 2024 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges – Key Dates:

Honors Colloquium: 9/17 – 11/12 [Most Tuesdays at 7 PM in Edwards Auditorium.]
- Colloquium Ends 11/12
Open Registration for Challenge: 9/17 – 11/15 [Indicate your interest and register via Google form.]
- Registration Deadline 11/15 [Last day to register to compete! Students must have attended 2 colloquium talks.]
Information Sessions and Workshops: 9/23 – 12/6 [RISE-UP will offer info sessions and ideation workshops aimed at helping students brainstorm and develop their project ideas.]
- Teams Submit Statements 12/9 [Teams are required to submit their problem, mission, and impact statements for the first round of judging via Brightspace.]
  - Finalists Announced 12/16 [Finalists chosen to refine and prototype their ideas, develop their pitch, and compete for the grand prize during Spring 2025 I&E Week.]

Program Lead

Cynthia Taylor

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Meet Our Team

Christian Cowan

CO-PI

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Peter Rumsey

CO-PI

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Gina Lopardo

Program Administrator

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Joe Loberti

Consultant

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