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Thrifty inventors garner cash prize

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Also by Ken Harris:

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UW leaders distribute 2008 awards for undergraduates (April 29, 2008)
Attacker in jail for assailing student (April 28, 2008)
Crazylegs event to attract 15,000 (April 25, 2008)
Microsoft, UW announce plans for new lab downtown (April 24, 2008)

by Ken Harris

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

University of Wisconsin student entrepreneurs who won the Wiscontrepreneur 100 Hour Challenge are scheduled to receive awards today from Chancellor John Wiley in Bascom Hall.

Three separate students will be given awards of up to $300 for their efforts in purchasing $10 worth of spare parts from Surplus With a Purpose and making a marketable product in 100 hours during the competition’s second year.

UW sophomore Anastasiya Kvit won the $300 “Most Value Created” award for creating the product judged to be the most marketable. Her entry was the “UFO coffee table,” which is circular and has colorful lights all around its edges. With the most views on her project’s webpage, Kvit’s coffee table also won the $100 “Peoples’ Choice” award.

With the “iPedal,” UW junior Matt Manske won the $300 “Most Creative” prize. His entry makes use of one’s bike wheel to power handheld devices like iPods or cell phones while pedaling.

Manske said he was inspired for his creation when his friend and partner “ditched” him and his iPod ran out. “I was looking for some music,” he added.

Manske said his product was easy to use, so it might be marketable.

“Basically you just ride your bike,” Manske said. “As you pedal, this thing rotates and generates power.”

He added he is not familiar with marketing products but would start at today’s ceremony by going around and “shaking a few hands.” Manske said he was nervous about meeting the chancellor, but suggested students “place their orders now” for their “iPedal.”

Peter Dykstra, who also participated and won a prize last year, will receive the $300 “Most Social Value Created” award this year for his “Space Heater Safety Alarm” that sounds when a space heater tips over, reducing the risk of fire.

He said the biggest challenge for him this year was coming up with an idea. He was out of town most of the weekend and did not start working on the project until Sunday night, the night before it was due.

“There were more competitors. The competition was a little steeper than last year,” Dykstra said.

Doug Bradley, UW Office of Corporate Relations assistant director of marketing, said there were more entries this year than last and added he has been impressed with students’ entries both years.

“We’ve got clever students, very creative,” Bradley said. “This is a chance for them to flex their entrepreneurial muscle.”

Manske said he is excited about the money and that he already has plans for it.

“My fridge is empty at the moment,” Manske said. “I’ll get to eat again. I’m pretty excited about that.”

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