The University of Washington hosted the Alaska Airlines Environmental Innovation Challenge, where 22 teams of university students competed with startup ideas focusing on environmental protection. The winning teams received prizes ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Utilizing software, drones, chemistry, engineering biology, and other technologies, students showcased their innovative solutions for addressing environmental challenges facing the world.
One of the winning teams, AgroFilms, took home the $15,000 Grand Prize for their biodegradable film made from hemp waste that can be used to prevent irrigation water evaporation on agricultural fields. Another team, C-1 Bio, received the $10,000 Second Place Prize as well as the $2,500 Climate Impact Prize for their strategy involving specially engineered aquatic bacteria to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into precursor chemicals for industrial use. Additionally, Minimycelium won the $5,000 Third Place Prize for their project focusing on using mushrooms to decompose and convert plastic into organic matter.
Former participant Makoto Hamamoto Eyre, who is now the CEO of a carbon capture startup called Homeostasis, provided words of encouragement to the students. He emphasized the importance of being rigorous, open to pivoting, and deeply immersed in their projects despite facing numerous challenges along the way. Judges, including Eric Carlson from E8 venture capital group, praised the students’ dedication and highlighted the essential role their energy and commitment would play in overcoming environmental challenges in the future.
Other winning teams at the challenge included SuperSurya, receiving the $5,000 UW Clean Energy Institute Clean Energy Prize for their technology improving the efficiency of residential solar power, and SEAPEN, which won the $2,500 Leo Cup Innovation in Oceanography Prize for their artificial intelligence platform that digitally analyzes marine images and videos capturing wildlife, pollution, and vegetation. The event was sponsored by Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, and the UW’s Clean Energy Institute, with students from various universities participating in the competition held at the Seattle Center.
The competition showcased the creativity and innovation of university students in the Pacific Northwest, as they presented novel ideas and technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues. With a focus on sustainability, carbon capture, renewable energy, and marine conservation, the participants demonstrated their commitment to finding solutions for a more environmentally-friendly future. The event provided a platform for these young entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and drive for making a positive impact on the planet through their innovative startup ideas.
