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InventOR Context & Deliverables:
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.
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.
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.
Meet with InventOR Advisors & Mentors
Complete the InventOR Survey
Submit an Expense Log (weekly updates & final log due at the end of the competition)
Innovation/ Invention
InventOR submissions must be a physical invention. For example, we do not accept lifestyle apps and standalone software that does not have a physical component. We do, however, accept and encourage the use of technology as part of a physical invention.
InventOR does not restrict the competition to any industry. We accept submissions in any sector or industry, but encourage submissions that focus on green or sustainable inventions. All submissions should be able to point to an environmental or social impact.
Teams must have at least 2 members. Scroll down Team requirements.
All teams are required to showcase their progress at the Finals Pitch Competition & Prototype Exhibition on June 27th, 2025, demonstrating how their prototype has evolved, starting from the beginning of the program to its current state. While a fully functional prototype is not expected within 8 weeks, teams must have a physical representation of their prototype and be able to clearly articulate their design decisions.
Stage of Development
InventOR accepts submissions that are still in the idea phase. However, each Finalist Team is judged on how much progress the team has made toward developing their prototype. While you can apply to InventOR with an idea (and this is encouraged!) you must be willing to work hard to execute and build a prototype. Teams that do not demonstrate progress may be disqualified.
A submission may be pre-revenue, or producing revenue. Student companies that have generated more than $100,000 in any single year are not eligible.
A team is ineligible if it has received outside institutional funding (venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, corporate funds, etc.).
Teams may accept non-institutional funding (contest prizes, grants, loans, etc.) of up to $250,000 prior to or during this competition/ program, so long as no equity ownership is associated with the funding.
Team Requirements
Teams must consist of at least 2 team members.
There is no limit to the number of team members. However, InventOR will only cover costs for up to 4 team members to attend Bootcamp and Finals.
Solo team members may apply to the program but must recruit at least one additional team member to participate for the duration of the 8 week program.
At least one team member must be an eligible student directly affiliated with the partner school. Other team members can be recruited from outside the partner school ecosystem, or from within the larger community, including students attending other schools, or other interested parties within the state of Oregon.
Eligible students are defined as:
Currently enrolled Undergraduate, Graduate, PostDoc students at partner school
Alumni who have graduated within the last 12 months from partner school
In good standing with partner schools’ Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility. Consult faculty advisor for clarification.
Faculty and Staff members can participate as an advisor on an all-student team, but are not considered teammates.
Although not required, InventOR recommends that teams consist of one technical and one business lead.
No team or individual may participate in the InventOR program with the same concept or prototype more than once if that team or individual was awarded a place/ prize at the final competition in any previous year. Note: this refers to prize money and does not include prototyping grant funds.
Program Timeline
(April 25th) - Qualifying Events at Partner Schools completed and Finalist Team identified
(May 2nd, 3rd, & 4th) - InventOR Bootcamp in Portland (3-day Intensive Design Sprint)
(May 5th - June 27th) - InventOR Program (teams refine prototypes, receive mentorship, and access additional resources to advance their innovations.)
(May 5th - 9th) - 1st Check In w/InventOR Advisor
(May 12th - May 23rd) - Prototyping Grants Funds Dispersed
(May 12th - May 23rd) - InventOR Mentor Match
(June 16th - 20th) - Pitch Coaching with Spenser Meeks
(June 26th) - InventOR Finals Orientation and Exhibition Setup
(June 26th) - InventOR Program Survey DUE
(June 27th) - InventOR Finals at University of Portland (Pitch Competition & Prototype Exhibition)
(July 4th) - Deadline for Final Grant Purchases
(July 14th) - InventOR Expense Report DUE
Participation
InventOR requires that at least 2 team members from each Finalist Team participate in the entire 8 week program from May 2nd to June 27th, 2025.
8 week program includes:
InventOR Bootcamp (May 2 - 4)
Access to InventOR/ PSU Center for Entrepreneurship Network & Resources
Bi weekly 1:1 Advisor Check-ins (Finalist Teams and InventOR staff)
Mentor Match*
InventOR will pair each finalist team with a dedicated mentor from our network, based on availability and expertise.
Mentors are sourced from local, statewide, and international professionals, as well as experienced founders.
Teams will meet with their mentor at least twice during the 8-week program.
Finalists will also receive a 1:1 Pitch Coaching Session with Spenser Meeks.
InventOR Finals - Pitch Competition & Prototype Exhibition (June 27th)
Diverse Teams
InventOR recognizes the value and importance of diversity in entrepreneurship.
Teams with diverse backgrounds tend to perform better—according to McKinsey, teams that are racially and ethnically diverse perform 33% more profitably than less diverse teams.
InventOR encourages inclusive teams with members who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, women, and/or other underrepresented groups.
Awards and Prizes
Each InventOR Finalist Team will be awarded a $2000 grant to develop their prototype. Onboarding & Reporting Guidelines will be provided upon acceptance into the InventOR program.
Grant and Prize money may be payable to the student, or the venture.
Members of the winning teams must sign a Prize Agreement (Included in the Innovation Development Grant & Use Agreement) .
Prize Money will be dispersed as outlined in the Prize Agreement.
If the Finalist Team is offered, and accepts additional funding, teams will be required to execute additional documentation.
**In order to compete at InventOR Finals, team members must complete the InventOR Program Survey.
**In order to receive Prize Money, teams must submit their InventOR Expense Report.
All this will be covered at Bootcamp during Orientation and Onboarding on May 4th, 2025.
Intellectual Property (IP) disclosure
Finalist Teams will be required to execute an IP Disclosure (Included in the Innovation Development Grant & Use Plan) with submission.
Finalist Teams must disclose if they have patented their technology prior to the competition.
InventOR and PSU Center for Entrepreneurship waive all claims to intellectual property for any submissions to the InventOR program.
Finalist Teams should consult with their faculty advisor for specific details and school rules regarding intellectual property developed by students and/or faculty.
Disqualifications
Failure to disclose or follow rules and guidelines are grounds for disqualification not only for Finalist Teams, but for Team Members participation in following years.
All grant funds must be used for expenses related to technical and commercial development of the project such as prototyping, materials, supplies, or other activities that assist in moving the team’s goals forward. Grant funds may not be used to purchase alcohol or drugs.
Teams who do not adhere to the participation requirement may be disqualified.
InventOR/ PSU Center for Entrepreneurship reserves the right …
to disqualify a team at any time for any reason at its discretion
to remove a non-progressing team from the program
to require all grant funds disbursed to Finalist Teams be returned if a team fails to meet participation requirements
Required Documentation
All finalist teams must submit the following forms upon entry into the 8-week InventOR program:
Competitor Agreement and Declaration of Eligibility:
Signed form certifying eligibility and agreement to abide by competition rules.
Innovation Development Grant & Use Agreement:
Name the lead finance officer.
Outline team goals for the competition.
Specify prize distribution agreement if the team wins.
Additional Forms for PSU Foundation Processing:
Submission and Guidance
All forms will be completed with guidance during the Orientation and Onboarding session at the InventOR Bootcamp on May 4th, 2025.
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