Rise-Up program

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges

What are Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges?

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges, powered by RISE-UP, allows URI students and researchers to contribute to problem-solving for real-world issues within the university environment. In partnership with the URI Honors program and with support from deans, faculty, and staff, challenges are developed with students and researchers. Submissions that excel in innovation, feasibility, creativity, and impact compete for implementation grants, as listed below.

By aligning RISE-UP resources with both local and global challenges, the program offers hands-on experiential learning, access to seasoned mentors, and Lean Launchpad-based tools and curriculum. Bootcamps, seminars, and advanced technical resources help participants succeed.

Challenge Overview

Each academic year, the challenge invites students from all majors to generate creative ideas for addressing social, political, environmental, and economic problems through innovation and entrepreneurship.

This challenge aligns with the theme of the annual Honors colloquium which aims to promote thoughtful and informed dialogue on the selected topic (amongst scholars, experts, and the broader community), raise awareness of the topic’s challenges, and highlight the importance of promoting topical values and institutions. The full colloquium schedule can be found at https://web.uri.edu/hc/.

Challenge Requirements Checklist

During the Fall semester, students interested in participating in the challenge are required to attend at least two colloquium presentations and must register through the interest form.
Participating students will form interdisciplinary teams (maximum of 5 students) to identify a problem, establish a mission, an idea about possible ways to make a positive impact.
By the end of the Fall semester, participating teams will submit a one-page problem/mission impact statement for first round judging on the Brightspace project site.

INTEREST FORM

HONORS COLLOQUIUM WEBSITE

Fall Innovation & Entrepreneurship Challenges – Key Steps:

Review Honors Colloquium information here and adhere to deadlines.
Register for Challenge:
- Registration Deadline 11/15 [Student applicants must have attended 2 colloquium talks.]
Attend Information Sessions and Workshops:
- Teams are required to submit their problem, mission, and impact statements for the first round of judging via Brightspace by early December.
  - Finalists are announced by mid-December. Chosen finalists refine and prototype their ideas, develop their pitch, and compete for the grand prize during late Spring semester.