• Are you a Princeton faculty member, postdoctoral researcher, or graduate student?

• Does your research have potential for commercialization, and/or cultural or societal impact?

If so, consider engaging with and presenting your research at Innovation Forum for the opportunity to win a share of $25,000 in prize money.

Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
Time: 1 pm
Location: Frist Campus Center

Apply to present

Innovation Forum is an annual competition and networking event showcasing Princeton research with the potential for commercialization, and/or cultural or societal impact. Participants present their research in a three-minute "elevator pitch" to a panel of judges, followed by a brief question and answer period. Following the presentations is a poster session and networking reception where participants can further discuss and demonstrate their research.

The event concludes with an awards ceremony where prizes totaling $25,000 are awarded to the top two innovations in each of two tracks:

• science and engineering
• social sciences and humanities

Innovation Forum is co-sponsored by the Office of Technology Licensing and the Humanities Council at Princeton.

Eligibility

Current faculty members, research staff, postdocs, and graduate students from any department at the University are eligible to present.

For guidance on whether your project is eligible, please email:

• Kathleen Crown (for Humanities inquiries)
• Cornelia Huellstrunk (for all other inquiries)

Projects from past Innovation Forum events | 2023 Innovation Forum videos

Prizes

The top two innovations entries in each track will be awarded funds in the following amounts in recognition of their work:

• $15,000 for first place
• $10,000 for second place

The funds will be awarded to the Principal Investigator for the research and must be used to advance the research or commercialization of the innovation.

Resources for presenters

In the months leading up to the event, presenters will have access to coaches who can assist with refining ideas and perfecting pitches. Additional feedback will be provided on presenter materials prior to the event by the forum judges.

Ready to present your research at Innovation Forum?

Step 1: Apply by June 21, 2024

• Complete the application by June 21, 2024.
• Once your intention to participate is approved - typically within two business days - you will receive an email with a link to submit your presentation materials.

Step 2: Submit initial presentation materials by August 9, 2024

Using the link you will receive, upload the following:

• An overview of your innovation in PDF format, no longer than two pages. The overview should include:
  • Background of the innovation.
  • Description of the innovation.
  • Nature of potential commercial, and/or cultural or societal application of the innovation.
  • Status and future plans for additional research.
• The preliminary slide presentation in PowerPoint and PDF format.
  • It should be no more than 5 slides and may not include video content or any transitions.
  • This does not need to be the final version, as you will be able to edit your slides prior to the event to incorporate feedback from the coaches and judges.
• A three-minute video pitch
  • Most presenters record their pitch using Zoom. Please reference the Zoom Help Center tutorial or email Gina Guarino for assistance.

Notes about presentation materials:

• The earlier materials are received, the earlier coaches can review and offer feedback.
• Final slide deck is due September 13, 2024.
• Innovation Forum is open to the public; therefore, the presentation of your research/technology is a public disclosure. The event will be filmed, photographed, and likely published on the Keller Center's online channels. Please contact the Office of Technology Licensing if you have questions regarding intellectual property protection for any research you may present.
• Keller Center strives to make our events and digital materials accessible for everyone. We recommend that presenters incorporate our accessibility best practices for presentations. Email the Digital Media & Communications team for guidance about making your presentation accessible.

Step 3: On the day of Innovation Forum

• You'll deliver your live pitch presentation (3-minute pitch with 5 minutes of Q&A from the judges). The audience will consist of investors, designers, community partners and industry, academia, and the broader Princeton-area innovation community.
• You'll be provided with one 4-foot table for your demo station. Email Gina Guarino by September 13, 2024 with:
  • A description of what you will display (e.g., poster, laptop, artifacts/demos).
  • Any requests for easel(s).