Open Innovation Challenges
In spring 2018, SIPP convened our first Open Innovation Challenge, a four-month public competition, sponsored by Island Savings, to find the best and brightest local innovators with new ideas. We were blown away by how much engagement we received from a diverse range of backgrounds—non- profits, academia, businesses, and private citizens. In all, we received 69 applications, which resulted in 10 finalists, and ultimately three prize winners who took away $15,000 each.
In September 2018, SIPP and Island Savings teamed up to present the Future Innovator Challenge, a competition for high school and post-secondary students to help improve the quality of life for citizens of the region, and to compete for seed funding for their projects.
We live in a community that deeply values innovation, and it fills us with hope to see the bright ideas of the next generation of leaders—we received more than 70 student submissions!
In January 2019, teams pitched their projects to a panel of judges at a public event at University of Victoria with media in attendance. Two teams were declared the first-place winners in their categories (high school and post-secondary). Teams received cash prizes of $1,500, $750, or $500 to fund their winning ideas.