i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact

Awarded by
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

i3 is a pitch competition that encourages graduate researchers to think like entrepreneurs. Students compete in elimination rounds organized by WPI's academic departments and programs and the winners moved on to semifinal competitions run by the deans of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Business. The contest concludes with three-minute pitch presentations by the finalists before a panel of entrepreneurs and business leaders where, without the aid of visuals, they explain how their innovations address important commercial or societal needs, why they are better than existing technology or processes, and how they might gain the interest of the marketplace. Two cash prizes are awarded: for best concept and best presentation.

Browse Award Recipients

Year Recipient Name Title Awarded by Type Department Details
2015 Mingrui Wei i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Computer Science

Best Presentation

2015 Heather Cirka i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Biomedical Engineering

Best Concept

2015 Morteza Khaleghi i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Overall People's Choice

2016 Lindsay Lozeau i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Chemical Engineering

Advisor: Terri A. Camesano;  "AMProtection: Tomorrow’s Antimicrobials Fighting Today’s Infections"

Best Overall

2016 Lindsay Lozeau i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Chemical Engineering

Advisor: Terri A. Camesano;  "AMProtection: Tomorrow’s Antimicrobials Fighting Today’s Infections"

People's Choice Award

2016 Samim Safaei i3: Investing in Ideas with Impact Honorable Mention Worcester Polytechnic Institute Graduate Fire Protection Engineering

Advisor: Ali Rangwala; "The Enabling Radiant Heat Flux Gauge"