PDMA Product Innovation Competition for Students

Sponsored by: The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) – Carolinas Chapter

Once again, we are excited to announce our 2020 student competition.  It is a highlight for our attendees at Innovate Carolina 2020 conference and offers student innovators a networking forum to present their ideas in front of industry leaders and get feedback.

Our conference this year will be on Thursday, April 23rd at University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Center City Charlotte, NC

Key Dates:
  • NEW! Two call-in information sessions for prospective professors and student teams
  • Intent to submit – Friday, March 6th
  • Full submission – Friday, March 27th
  • Conference – Thursday, April 23rd
Who can participate?
  • Any student – we offer two paths, one for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Historically, we have had submissions from engineering or business students – BUT – we encourage students from other disciplines.
  •  Have a new wearable device that can help prevent medical issues? What about a transportation idea to help to get rid of more cars on the road?  Can we use music or arts to help solve a social issue?
  • Do you have an idea for the next new social app?  What about an accessibility tool or product?  How about something that solves a problem for you or someone you know?  The only limitation is your imagination.
What’s in it for you?
  • Invitation to present your idea at the 2020 PDMA National Conference in New Orleans on Sept. 19-22
  • An opportunity to win a cash prize – we offer 1st and 2nd prize for both undergrad and grad
  • Practice presenting your product idea and marketing plan
  • Receive mentorship and feedback from industry leaders in the innovation space
  • Innovate Carolina Conference admission and networking opportunity with those in the business
  • Winning team will represent their university in the Innovate Carolina & PDMA National conferences and will be included in the press release
What do I need to do to participate?
  • Identify your idea or product. Product concept developed during either the Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 semesters.
  • Send your intent to submit by March 6th (see below requirements)
  • Complete your final, full submission by March 27th (see below requirements)
Intent to Submit
  • A one page summary of your service, product, social innovation, etc.
  • Team name, team member’s names and contact information (email and phone number), graduate or undergraduate level and university name. If one or more of the team members are graduate level, please enter as a graduate team
  • Name and contact information of the university professor(s) either teaching the innovation/product design class (if class project) or supervising the work (if independent study)
  • Email to Cheryl Jacobs (cheryl.jacobs@wellsfargo.com) and Dinesh Perumal (dinesh.perumal@wellsfargo.com) by March 6th with the subject line: 2020 PDMA Product Innovation Competition for students
Full Submission
  • One document (PDF) with the team name, product or service name, name and contact information of all team members, team category (graduate or undergraduate), university name, and name and contact information of sponsoring professor. This document will remain with the competition coordinator.
  • A separate document (PDF) with the full submission containing all details of the new product concept.  This document will be distributed to a team of judges. The team members’ names or university affiliation should not appear in this submission document.
  • Typical submissions are anywhere from 4-7 pages of well thought and structured information pertaining to the Scoring Criteria listed below.  Submissions that do not address each of the scoring criteria will not be judged.
  • Optional short video (3 to 5 min) explaining the concept or product idea can be included (similar to Shark Tank). The video can be uploaded at Student competition videos.
  • Email to Cheryl Jacobs (Cheryl.jacobs@wellsfargo.com) and Dinesh Perumal (dinesh.perumal@wellsfargo.com) by March 27th, 2020 with the subject line: 2020 PDMA Product Innovation Competition for students
Posters (optional but encouraged if you’re at the conference)
  • Create a poster  (not more than 60”X36”) that highlights main aspects of the product innovation
    • Bring a solid backing on which to mount your poster (e.g., cardboard, foam-core, etc.)
  • One team member needs to be available and able to explain the poster contents during the conference
Scoring criteria

By the PDMA definition: “Products are bundles of attributes (features, functions, benefits, and uses) and can be either tangible, as in the case of physical goods, or intangible, as in the case of those associated with service benefits, or can be a combination of the two.” Submissions may be of a product, a service, or a combination of the two. Submissions will be judged on five criteria.  Ideas previously submitted to the student competition will not be accepted.

  1. Product Concept. Clarity of the definition of the proposed new product and its capabilities through written descriptions, drawings, prototypes, etc.
  2. Innovation. Is the product new to the world or an incremental innovation? Uniqueness? Social benefit? Will its production and sale help or harm society and the environment? Is the product difficult to substitute or imitate?
  3. Behavior Change.  What are the observable behaviors of the intended audience that most need to change and how do you see your offering impacting those behaviors?
  4. Value. What is the unique value to the customer? How will they use it? Any customer research to support the product’s claims?  What emotional connections can your product make to its intended users?
  5. Market. What is the size of the market? Expected sales on a yearly basis? Cost to produce? Price? Profits?
  6. Promotion. What are the sales channels? How will it be marketed and promoted?  If this is not a product, how will the idea for change reach its audience
What is Innovate Carolina?

Innovate Carolina is an annual conference held in North Carolina, focused on innovation and new product development.  Innovate Carolina is sponsored by the Carolinas chapter of the Product Development Management Association (PDMA), an association focused on improving the skills and capabilities of its members in product development, product management and innovation.

The conference is consistently ranked by attendees as equal as or better than other national innovation conferences and typically draws more than 150 attendees.  It’s local, affordable, and will inspire you to think differently.

For more information

Visit us at http://www.innovatecarolina.org/student-competition/

Contact: Cheryl Jacobs and Dinesh Perumal, VP of Academic Affairs at cheryl.jacobs@wellsfargo.com and dinesh.perumal@wellsfargo.com