The PSU Center for Entrepreneurship (CE) stewards InventOR, Oregon’s only statewide collegiate invention competition. Students secure a spot at InventOR Bootcamp by first winning a preliminary competition at their college or university. This invitation-only, three-day intensive and immersive design sprint helps them refine their innovation for a chance to compete at the InventOR Finals. Teams that progress further in the competition receive a $2,000 development grant to build or enhance their prototype within 60 days.

During the program, teams that advance will receive:

• Experiential education in entrepreneurship at Bootcamp

• 1:1 guidance from a dedicated InventOR advisor

• 1:1 mentorship from an industry expert 

• Pitch coaching to refine their storytelling and presentation skills

• $2,000 prototyping grant to develop their idea

• Access to CE tools, resources, and networking opportunities

• Fully covered accommodations, meals, and reimbursement for travel to Bootcamp and Finals

• A chance to compete for $30,000 in cash and prizes at the InventOR Finals (Annual Pitch Competition & Prototype Exhibition)

At the InventOR Finals, teams must:

• Create a compelling slide deck to showcase their idea and progress

• Deliver a 5-minute pitch on stage

• Field questions from a panel of judges during a 3-hour prototype exhibition

• Present a physical representation of their prototype at the exhibition—while it is not required to be fully functional, it must be representative of their concept. Teams must be able to explain their design decisions, development progress, and future direction.

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Students compete for $30,000 in cash prizes at this annual event, which highlights the imagination and talent of the next generation of Oregon’s entrepreneurs.