M.B.A./M.Des. Student Awarded Top Prize at Chicago Innovation Awards Scholarship Competition

Chicago Innovation Awards and IIT Stuart partnered to host the Chicago Innovation Awards Scholarship Competition, providing students a unique opportunity to apply their knowledge to finding solutions for under-served or unmet needs. 110 students competed this year for awards totaling $10,000.

Gold Prize | $5,000

• "Catalyst" — Web-based service to connect scientists with specialized lab instruments, submitted by J. Thomas Gaskin, IV (M.B.A./M.Des. ‘14), and developed in collaboration with Maggee Bond (M.Des. '14), Anushree Jain (M.Des. '14), and Alisa Weinstein (M.Des. '13).

Silver Prizes | $1,500

• "Axon" — An international marketplace for healthcare. Connects cost-conscious patients to international medical services created by accredited healthcare providers, submitted by Evan Scott (M.B.A./M.Des. ‘15), and developed in collaboration with Fernando Jose de Buen (M.Des. '15), Brian Lucas (M.Des. '15), Ariana Shadlyn (M.Des. '15), and Amanda Rosenberg (M.Des. '15).
• An innovative car rental company based on the ownership and sharing of private, low-emission cars, submitted by Pingshi Li (M.S. MAC ‘15).

Bronze Prizes | $500

• Business model for leasing solar power to households, submitted by Mukesh Muthu (M.B.A. ‘16).
• Rent Your Future — Luxury goods rental service for men, submitted by Yiyang Liu (M.S. MAC ‘15).
• Ivy EDU — Web-based service connecting international students with advisors from top U.S. universities, submitted by Yingxian Lin (M.S. MAC ‘15).
• Relocation consulting service for those moving to new environments, submitted by Sheng Mao (M.B.A. ‘15).