The Convergence Innovation Competition: Helping Students Create Innovative Products and Experiences via Technical and Business Mentorship

The Convergence Innovation Competition is an annual event designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among students from multiple disciplines and experience levels. The competition provides a unique model for engaging industrial partners to work with students through category definition, mentoring and judging. In this paper we describe the evolution of the program over the last eight years, lessons learned and new opportunities for engaging students in a meaningful learning experience.