Section: Academics
Start-stop engine takes 1st place in Innovation Challenge
Mar 19, 2008

Bryan Randal took second place for his development of SNAPr, a program that would make online searches more personalized. Photo by Dave Neligh

Junior mechanical engineering technology (MET) major Michael Long may have started something with his start-stop engine that took first place in the Innovation Challenge during Innovation Week, March 10–14.

Long took home the $500 grand prize for his presentation on a start-stop engine that would lower emissions. He spent two years on his idea for the engine. “At times the only thing on my mind was the project,” he said.

Long’s next step is to build a prototype, working alongside MET Professor Mingli He.

According to He, Long is a bright kid with a great idea, it is patentable, and quite feasible to accomplish. However, without Innovation Week, he wouldn’t have been able to convert his dream to reality.

“(Innovation Week) was well put together and was a needed forum for students like myself,” Long said.

(l to r) Third place winners Damon Fleming and Richard Arbour. Photo by Dave Neligh

“It goes to show that there are great minds at Metro State,” said Mick Jackowski, interim director of the Center for Innovation, which sponsored Innovation Week. “You can be young and still have great ideas.”

In Jackowski’s opinion, the first-ever Innovation Week turned out to be a big success. “We were pleased that Metro students were excited about the week as much as they were,” he said.

Throughout the month of January, the Center for Innovation took applications from students to participate in the Innovation Challenge. The winners were announced Tuesday, March 11.

Second place, with a $250 prize, was awarded to Bryan Randall, a sophomore in the individualized degree program, for his development of SNAPr, a program that would make online searches more personalized. Third place went to junior computer information systems major Richard Arbour and sophomore Damon Fleming, who has a double major in MET and civil engineering technology.

On Thursday, the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour arrived on campus and the alumnus and student Oppenheimer Funds Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were announced.

Robert Lanphier (’95) owns Buff Brothers Sports Bar chains and junior Jason Elkins owns Team Direct Sports and Corporate Outfitters. Both received $500.

Elkins demonstrated to the judges that his business is run successfully, with nine full-and part-time employees. He also contributes to the community through his involvement with teaching local school kids about business, donating sports uniforms to kids and working with Metro Volunteers.

(l to r) Challenge winner Michael Long and Associate Professor of Marketing Jeff Lewis. So far, Long has spent two years on his start-stop engine. Photo by Dave Neligh

Elkins said that the weeklong event held many networking possibilities, and could be a great incubator for small business.

“(Innovation Week) is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to be an entrepreneur,” said Elkins, who’s owned his business since 2001.

Jackowski agrees. “It’s terrific to see people who go to school and accomplish great things, but to see people who own their own business and still have time to go to school is great.”