InnovateGC

Innovate GC logo with a red door opening.

Winners & Past Events

2026 Innovate GC. April 7-11, 2026.

  • 2026 themes were #12 Responsible Consumption and Production and #16 Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
  • The keynote speaker was Ajuna Kyaruzi ’17. “Congratulations, You Failed.” Innovation isn’t about getting it right. It’s about getting it less wrong, over and over, until something works.
  • Mentors and coaches were Prof. Gemma Sala, Jeanne Pinder ’75, and Emily Kolbe ’07.
  • Judges were Joe Bagnoli, Robert Gehorsam ’76, and Ajuna Kyaruzi ’17.
  • Student event organizers were Dayana Garcia ’26 and Arabelle Rohs ’28.

Congratulations to the teams!

First place team with Wilson Center Director and Judge Ajuna.
Second place team with Wilson Center Director and Judge Robert.
Third place (tie) team with Wilson Center Director and Judge Joe.
Third place (tie) team with Event Coordinator Dayana and Wilson Center Director.
  • First place was Team Deus who developed Circl. Etzel Miller, Jason Chigabatia, Timur Amirgaliyev, and Alex Nerubay.
  • Second place was Team SJW designing Smart Tray. Champ-Pacifique Mukiza, Kobina Derby, Maun Ahmed, Sora Mamo, and Raun Ahmed.
  • Tied for 3rd place were Team Environmental Alliance and Team Pho Real.
  • Environmental Alliance had the idea for G Tray. Edgar Romero, Roy Wang, Reid Singer, and Kevin Dong.
  • Pho Real presented Squirrel Closet. Nam Do, Duc Tran, Vy Nguyen, and Hoang Nguyen.

2025 Innovate GC. Feb. 21 – Mar. 1, 2025.

  • 2025 themes were #3 Good Health and Well-Being and #10 Reduced Inequality within and among countries.
  • The keynote speaker was Barb Baker.
  • Mentors and coaches were Prof. Monty Roper, Prof. Liz Queathem, Prof. Jeff Blanchard, Michael Lawrence, and Andrea Brennen ’04.
  • Judges were Chris Bair ’96, Rachel Bly ’93, and Sophia Ford ’25.
  • Student event organizers were Nifemi Ogunmesa ’25, Arabelle Rohs ’28, and Isis Ovelar ’27.
A group of four young people hold a sign with text: Innovate GC First Place; the judge is also pictured to the side.
A group of three young people hold a sign with text: Innovate GC First Place; the judge is also pictured to the side.

Congratulations to the two teams who tied for first place!

  • STARSync is the prototype developed by Carolyn Rivero, Agnes Saracouli, Mariela Lopez-Gonzalez, and Istar Abdullahi. The STARSync app would be a support and motivation structure for students who struggle with time management and study habits. Judge Sophia is pictured to the side.
  • Paso Adelante, envisioned by Stephany Ronquillo-Contreras, Kayla Nguyen, and Italy Perez, would partner with local church volunteers to break down various barriers that could enable lawful permanent residents living in the U.S. to realize their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens. Judge Sophia is pictured to the side.
A group of four young people, one holds a sign with text: Innovate GC Second Place; the judge is also pictured to the side.
A group of three young people hold a sign with text: Innovate GC Third Place; the judge is also pictured to the side.

Congratulations to our second- and third-place teams!

  • The Kiddie business and app is the brainchild of Parikshit Roychowdhury, Avaash Bhattarai, Candice Lu, and Rabbani Batra. The Kiddie prototype was presented as a regional subscription delivery service for many essential baby products that also gives back to the community by donating to parents in need. Judge Chris is pictured to the side.
  • MedLink is the prototype translation service proposed by Eti-Abasi-Laurel Edet, Ibrahim Topchubashov, and Alexei Jeffryes. Realizing that language barriers at healthcare visits can lead to incorrect or misunderstood diagnoses and treatment, MedLink would have systems to assist anyone whose first language is not English – from international students to immigrant families – to find bilingual practitioners in the US and provide translation services for medical documents. Judge Rachel is pictured to the side.

2024 Innovate GC. Feb. 23 – Mar. 2, 2024.

  • Nine teams of students competed for the top three places.
  • 2024 themes were #5 Gender Equality and #11 Sustainable Cities.
  • The speaker panel included Tolu Alabi ’13, Marc Gottschalk ’83, and Lihbin Shiao.
  • Mentors and coaches were Tolu Alabi ’13, Marc Gottschalk ’83, Kevin Allen, Jeffrey Blanchard, and Michael Lawrence.
  • Judges were Ajuna Kyaruzi ’17, Amy Blanchard, and Bill Menner.
  • Student event organizers were Nifemi Ogunmesa ’25 and Dayana Garcia ’26.
Team of 4 students with the Wilson Center director and one of the judges presenting the award for first place.
Congratulations to first place team with their IX proposal! They are Kaycie Brookens, Jinny Eo, Candice Lu, and Lily Piede. They are pictured with Jeff Blanchard on the left (Director of the Wilson Center), and judge Amy Blanchard on the right.
Two of the three teammates with the Wilson Center director and one of the judges presenting the award for second place.
Congratulations to second place team with their Community Threads proposal! They are Julia Aguilar-Pan, Ganga Prakash, and Ekta Shaikh. They are pictured with Jeff Blanchard on the left (Director of the Wilson Center), and judge Bill Menner on the right.
Team of 4 students with the Wilson Center director and one of the judges presenting the award for third place.
Congratulations to third place team with their CapitalShe proposal! They are Kripa Bansal, Nandika Jhunjhunwala, Anu Oli, and Dev Sethia. They are pictured with Jeff Blanchard on the left (Director of the Wilson Center), and judge Ajuna Kyaruzi on the right.