Cascade Safety Systems Earns Second Place and $7,500 at the 10th Annual InventOR Finals!

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-mounted sensor that automatically detects when a skier or snowboarder becomes trapped upside down in a tree well or other snow immersion incident.

When the device detects a sustained inversion, it triggers an audible alarm to alert nearby riders while simultaneously sending GPS emergency notifications to designated contacts, including ski patrol. By reducing response times during these critical emergencies, the Tree Well Guardian has the potential to increase the chances of a successful rescue when every second matters.

Throughout the InventOR program, the team refined their concept through customer discovery, mentorship, and feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and judges. Their final presentation demonstrated both the technical innovation behind their product and its potential to make outdoor recreation safer for winter sports enthusiasts.

With Oregon's strong connection to outdoor recreation and mountain sports, Cascade Safety Systems exemplifies how student entrepreneurs are developing solutions inspired by the needs of their communities. Their thoughtful approach to addressing a life-threatening safety challenge earned them recognition as the 2nd Place team at this year's InventOR Finals.

Congratulations to Jared, Makani, and Hunter on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to following the continued development of Cascade Safety Systems and seeing the impact the Tree Well Guardian can have on winter recreation safety.

Stay tuned as we continue celebrating the 10th Annual InventOR Finals with more winner spotlights, team features, and behind-the-scenes highlights from InventOR 2026. We'll also be sharing exciting updates about the 2027 InventOR program and next year's Finals. We can't wait to continue showcasing the innovative ideas and entrepreneurs shaping Oregon's future.