Celebrating More 2026 InventOR Award Winners!

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 Institute of Technology

Dec Vac, created by Toby Ruston and Walter Ruston, offers a simple yet innovative solution to a common outdoor maintenance challenge. Their device is designed as the first one-step solution for cleaning between deck boards, attaching directly to a standard shop vacuum and using a patented scooping blade to efficiently remove debris in a single motion.

By streamlining a time-consuming task, Dec Vac demonstrates how practical engineering solutions can improve everyday household maintenance.

Outstanding Community College Award — Swift Lock | $2,000

Linn-Benton Community College

Swift Lock, developed by Brian Cortez-Cabezas, Ronyn Gaudet, and Saeed Valdivia Munoz, is a magnet-operated belt designed to improve ease of use for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and their caregivers.

With a focus on accessibility and independence, Swift Lock addresses a simple but meaningful daily challenge, making dressing easier and more comfortable for users who may struggle with traditional belt designs.

Visionary Award — Spotzhole | $1,500

Clackamas Community College

Spotzhole, created by Kellan Green, Cecilia Williams, and Jordan Sullivan, is a sensor-based system that attaches to the front of a vehicle to detect potholes and collect geolocation data.

The system is designed to help local governments identify road damage more efficiently by providing accurate, real-time information about infrastructure issues. Spotzhole highlights how student innovation can contribute to smarter, data-driven public services.

People's Choice Award — The Final Rose | $1,000

Portland State University

The Final Rose, developed by Eric Asakawa, Evangeline Van, and Owen Swifter, is an improv-based tabletop card game inspired by reality TV dating shows.

Designed to help reduce anxiety around dating, the game provides a structured and playful environment for users to build confidence and gain real-world social experience in a safe setting. Voted People's Choice by attendees, the project stood out for its creativity and relatability.

Celebrating Innovation Across Oregon

From accessibility tools and infrastructure solutions to playful social experiences and everyday problem-solving, these four teams reflect the diversity and creativity of student entrepreneurs participating in InventOR.

Each project demonstrates a commitment to identifying real-world problems and developing thoughtful, impactful solutions—core values of the InventOR program.

Congratulations to Dec Vac, Swift Lock, Spotzhole, and The Final Rose on their well-deserved recognition at the 2026 InventOR Finals.

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting more 2026 InventOR winners, team spotlights, and behind-the-scenes stories from this year’s competition. We’ll also be sharing updates about the upcoming 2027 InventOR program and Finals.