2025 Something from Nothing Innovation Challenge

Official Rules and Guidelines

CHALLENGE: During this rapid innovation challenge, student teams are tasked with turning a surprise item into something of value in 3 hours or less! By the end of the event, students will submit a short pitch video to be eligible for cash prizes. Video pitches must explain the item's commercial, social, or artistic value.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. This registration form is due by February 7th at 11:59pm. This form must be completed by any student team participating in the event.

2. Contestants will have from 6-9PM on February 11th to complete the challenge.

3. Students may work in teams of 3-4 students.

4. Each participating student team will need to create an innovation and then submit a video pitch following the guidelines outlined below.

5. Each team may select only one sponsoring organization (sports team, club, department, class, etc). Representatives from the sponsoring organizations are invited to attend the event and serve as mentors (but this is not required). Organizations may serve as sponsors to multiple teams. Sponsors must be listed on this registration form to receive prize winnings.

6. Judging & Voting: All video pitches will be reviewed by a panel of judges, who will select our semi-finalists. The semi-finalist pitch videos will be posted online for fan favorite voting by Feb. 17th. Fan Favorite vote will be determined purely by popular vote. A panel of judges will determine our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd award winners. All winners will be announced on February 28th.


VIDEO PITCH GUIDELINES:

1. All video pitches submitted must be recorded live by eHIVE Staff on Feb. 11th and be 30 sec. to 1 min in length.

2. The video must include an explanation of the innovation itself (what is it and what does it do?)

3. The video pitch must show the value of innovation, including if the innovation has commercial value, artistic value, or social value. (what it would be used for, purpose, etc.)

MATERIALS:

1. Various supplies will be available for use so that teams can create their items. The challenge item must be the primary item used. Students are able to bring their own supplies or materials in addition to the items listed below.

2. Supplied Items: MYSTERY SURPRISE ITEM, Glue, Rubber Bands, Paperclips, Crayons, Markers, Colored Pencils, Paints, Newspaper, Recycled Cardboard, Balloons, Scissors, Plastic Cups, Toothpicks, Straws, Masking Tape, Craft Sticks, String, Pipe Cleaners, Play Dough, Craft Paper. These items will be available to all student teams but on a first, come first serve basis until they run out.

AWARD DETAILS:

1ST PRIZE: Team Prize of $400
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: $200

2ND PRIZE: Team Prize of $300
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: $150

3RD PRIZE: Team Prize of $200
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: $100

FAN FAVORITE: Team Prize of $300 based solely on popular vote during semi-final round

Please note: Awards will be split evenly between team members.

Registration Information

As a team leader, please be sure to input your team members names and emails correctly. You will responsible for signing the disclosure at the end of this form on behalf of your team.

Team Member Information:

Complete the following fields for each of your remaining team members. This project may be completed with 3-4 people.

Sponsoring Organization

Sponsoring organizations: departments, schools, dorms, clubs, etc. may sponsor an innovation team. If a team wins the sponsoring organization wins too! Sponsors must be listed on this registration form to receive prize winnings.

Disclosure