The 10th Annual InventOR Finals highlighted an incredible range of student innovation from across Oregon. While our Grand Prize and podium finishers showcased outstanding ventures, several additional teams were recognized for their creativity, impact, and entrepreneurial spirit through special awards. This post celebrates four award-winning teams who earned recognition—and prize funding—for their standout ideas at this year’s competition. 4th Place — Dec Vac | $3,000 Oregon I

Innovation often begins by improving everyday challenges, and Luma Dental Technology is doing just that. At the 10th Annual InventOR Finals, the team from Oregon Institute of Technology earned 3rd Place for developing a practical solution that enhances efficiency and visibility during dental procedures. The team—Diego Garcia, Erick Amador-Gonzalez, Kaylee May, and Anesti Audeh—created a smart heated oral mirror that warms to body temperature, permanently eliminating lens fogg

The 10th Annual InventOR Finals showcased innovative ideas from student entrepreneurs across Oregon, recognizing ventures that are tackling real-world challenges with creative, impactful solutions. Representing Oregon State University – Cascades, Cascade Safety Systems earned 2nd Place for developing technology designed to improve safety for skiers and snowboarders. The team—Jared Messersmith, Makani Hiltner, and Hunter Erhard—developed the Tree Well Guardian, a boot-mounte

One of the most memorable moments of the 10th Annual InventOR Finals wasn't a pitch or an award ceremony—it was hearing directly from the entrepreneurs who helped shape InventOR's legacy. As part of this year's celebration, five InventOR alumni returned to the stage for a special panel discussion, sharing how the program influenced their entrepreneurial journeys and helped prepare them for opportunities far beyond the competition. Representing nearly a decade of InventOR his

At the 10th Annual InventOR Finals, innovative ideas from student entrepreneurs across Oregon took center stage—but one team stood out for its mission to improve accessibility and create lasting impact. Representing Oregon State University (Corvallis), PNW Assistive Technology earned 1st Place and took home the $10,000 Grand Prize for their work developing adaptive mobility devices that empower children with disabilities. The team—Alex Lind, Torin Campbell-Kaswell, Callaway

After an incredible weekend at InventOR Bootcamp 2026, 20 finalist teams from colleges and universities across Oregon are officially moving on to the next stage of the competition. Representing 20 different institutions from across the state, these student innovators are tackling real-world problems through engineering, healthcare, sustainability, consumer products, accessibility, and entrepreneurship. Over the next 10 weeks, each team will receive $2,000 in grant funding to

Each year, the Invent Oregon Finals bring together the brightest student innovators from across the state — and 2025 was truly one for the history books. Hosted this summer at Portland State University , the 2025 InventOR Finals showcased Oregon’s next generation of changemakers: 20+ finalist teams , over 200 attendees , and a community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors all gathered to celebrate bold ideas that make a difference. From sustainable materials and medic

Plastic waste is one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges — but Chloe Hsy and Luka Mosidze from Reed College are thinking smaller to solve it. Much smaller. Their project, MicroCycle , uses specially cultivated plastic-eating bacteria to break down unrecyclable plastics and transform them into valuable industrial chemicals. It’s a bold idea that blends biology, chemistry, and environmental science into a sustainable circular-economy model. The Reed team’s innova

For most of us, turning on a faucet or stove is routine — but for families with small children, seniors, or people with disabilities, it can be risky. That’s where Burn Buddies from the University of Portland comes in. Created by Shoji Mori, Lucy Wu, and Evelyn Bang , Burn Buddies is an automatic valve system that prevents scalding injuries and detects leaks before they become hazards. The team’s design is as simple as it is powerful — easy to install, reliable, and potenti

🏆 1st Place + People’s Choice Award – Invent Oregon 2025 Meet the champions of Invent Oregon 2025 — the EEGonaut team from Oregon Health & Science University . Chloé Le Moing, Aaliya Mehnaz Ahmed, and Joe Gordon are combining neuroscience, play, and compassion to help kids manage ADHD, anxiety, and emotional regulation through a groundbreaking VR headset powered by brainwaves. Their device offers short, interactive games that respond to the player’s brain activity in real

🏅 3rd Place – Invent Oregon 2025 Wildfires have become one of Oregon’s most pressing challenges, destroying homes and reshaping communities. But two innovators from Klamath Community College , Melanie McClure and Niles Walter , decided to take the fight directly to the flames with their project, Fire Stoppers . Their invention, Ember Block , is a simple, tool-free device designed to protect homes from the tiny embers that often cause the most damage during wildfires. The be

🏅 Winner of the Visionary Award Access to vaccines can mean the difference between life and death — but keeping them cold in remote areas is a challenge. That’s the problem Mark Morrison and Elijah Anderson-Justis from Southern Oregon University set out to solve with ColdConnect . Their compact, solar- and USB-powered vaccine cooling system uses IoT monitoring to ensure safe, last-mile vaccine delivery — even in areas without reliable power. What began as a classroom idea

Medical innovation often starts with empathy — and the team behind CompressEase from Oregon Health & Science University understands that deeply. Brenda LaVigne, Terrisa Gardner, Cheri Richtenburg, and Greg Richtenburg developed a more comfortable, automated compression therapy system for patients dealing with circulation issues. Traditional compression devices can be frustrating and restrictive, but CompressEase offers a flexible, user-friendly alternative that prioritize

When you think about sustainability, golf might not be the first sport that comes to mind. But for Quincy Beyrouty of Oregon Institute of Technology , it was the perfect place to make a difference. This collegiate golf created ReTee Golf , a line of durable, eco-friendly golf tees made from recycled grips. By reimagining a small but essential part of the game, they found a way to reduce golf course waste while improving performance on the green. This idea came from countless

That’s a wrap on an incredible Invent Oregon 2025! The energy in the air was undeniable as student inventors from every corner of Oregon brought their vision, grit, and genius to the stage. From sustainable technology to life-changing healthcare solutions, these teams wowed the judges and inspired everyone in the house. Here’s a look at this year’s standout winners and their groundbreaking inventions. 🥇 1st Place: EEGonaut (Oregon Health & Science University) A new frontier

With Invent Oregon 2025 just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible moments and achievements from last...

In a landscape shaped by continuous innovation, the 2024 Invent Oregon competition revealed a collection of transformative projects that...

In a rapidly evolving world where innovation drives progress, it's inspiring to see young minds stepping up to create impactful solutions...

In an age where technological advancements continually reshape our world, the 2024 Invent Oregon competition highlighted several...

In a world where innovation is the driving force behind progress, it's inspiring to witness young minds stepping up to the plate and...