Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources will host its inaugural Industry Innovation Challenge on Friday, Oct. 10, bringing students and agricultural industry leaders together for a full day of collaboration, competition and creative problem-solving.
The event, set for 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the university’s Innovation Hub at Research Park, includes some 50 undergraduate students, nominated by their departments, to tackle pressing challenges presented by industry partners. This year’s participating organizations include Dairy Max, Ceres Tag, Ranchbot, and the Plains Cotton Growers Association.
Over the course of the day, students will form teams, receive mentorship from industry experts, and develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. Each team will then pitch its proposals to a panel of judges. The winning team will earn scholarships and the chance to advance their solutions toward commercialization.
“This challenge is about more than competition - it’s about collaboration, giving students the opportunity to test their ideas while working hand-in-hand with future employers in a real-world context,” said Cele Stone, senior director of strategic partnerships and innovation at Davis College, who will moderate the event.
The schedule includes reverse pitches from industry leaders, a value proposition workshop led by Innovation Hub Managing Director Taysha Williams, and extended teamwork sessions guided by mentors. The event culminates in a final team pitch competition – five minutes to present and three minutes of Q&A from the judges – and an awards ceremony.
Organizers noted that industry donations are helping fund facilities, meals and student scholarships, ensuring that the event remains accessible to all participants.
The Innovation Hub, launched in 2015 as the first of five facilities built to anchor Texas Tech’s entrepreneurship initiative, has since become a cornerstone for regional economic development. By providing resources, mentorship and space for collaboration, the Hub serves as a proving ground for ideas with the potential to fuel growth in West Texas and beyond.
CONTACT: Cele Stone, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-6266 or Cele.Stone@ttu.edu
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