Date: February 22, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Location: St. Augustine Hall, 2nd Floor, St. John’s University, Queens, NY
A dynamic ideation competition where creative minds come together to brainstorm, innovate, and pitch groundbreaking sustainability solutions. Join us for a full day of collaboration, innovation, and competition with the chance to win exclusive opportunities and internships.
Students of all disciplines are welcome.
Registration Deadline: Monday, February 10, 2025
How to Participate:
- Registration Link: Click Here to Register!
- Eligibility: Open to all students enrolled at St. John’s University.
- Team Formation: Participants must form teams of 2-3 members prior to the challenge or we can connect you to other participants.
For more information, please contact:
Radhika Jha
Associate Dean of Graduate and Academic Engagement
[email protected]
About the Event:
Overview
Johnny’s Innovation Challenge is a student-led event designed to foster innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Interdisciplinary teams will work together to develop and present their ideas to a panel of expert judges.
Challenge Highlights
Student-Run Initiative: Organized and run by students, empowering participants to lead, innovate, and create.
Interdisciplinary Participation: Open to students from all academic disciplines, fostering diverse perspectives and promoting cross-field innovation.
Competitive Pitch Format: Teams pitch their solutions to a panel of expert judges, with top awards for the best ideas.
- Exciting Incentives: Finalists can unlock exclusive internships, secure a spot in the Venture & Innovation Center's (VIC) Incubation Program, and earn scholarships to attend European Innovation Academy, a summer accelerator program in Portugal!
Why Join In?
Showcase Your Ideas or Skills: Present your innovative concepts to a panel of industry leaders.
Win Big: Finalists can unlock exclusive internships, secure a spot in the Venture & Innovation Center's (VIC) Incubation Program, and scholarships to attend European Innovation Academy, a summer accelerator program in Portugal, and the first-place team goes to the Hult Prize National Competition in Boston, with a chance to advance to the finals in London for $1,000,000.
Network: Connect with industry experts, mentors and our sponsors.
Participate in Skill Workshops: Gain valuable insights and hands-on skills through workshops led by faculty and industry experts, designed to enhance your problem-solving, creativity, and business acumen.
Make an Impact: Drive meaningful, sustainable solutions that can create real-world change.
This is a unique chance to connect with a network of like-minded innovators, industry mentors, and sponsors, expanding your professional reach and opening doors to future opportunities!
🗝️ Finalists Can Unlock:
*Finalist opportunities are eligible for St. John's University Students only.
VIC’s Incubation Program
Finalists can secure a spot in the Venture & Innovation Center's(VIC)Incubation Program to advance your idea with a summer stipend.
Internships and Summer Accelerator Programs
Protiviti is offering an internship with a rotation in their Innovation Center for one of the winners.
*Subject to a successful interview process.
Scholarships to attend a summer accelerator in Portugal through European Innovation Academy
Hult Prize National Competition Spot
First-place domestic team secures a spot to complete in the Hult Prize National Competition in Boston to compete for a chance to advance to the final round in London, for the grand prize of $1,000,000!
🏆 Special Award & Digital Badges
🌟 The Farella Vincentian Innovation Award, sponsored by Steve Farella '77SVC, recognizes the team with the most impactful, socially-conscious innovation focused on social justice and community betterment.
🌟 Finalists receive a digital badge to showcase their achievement.
📋 Workshops:
Data-Driven Story Telling From Insights to Impact
Giancarlo Crocetti, DPS
Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Mathematics and Science
Design Thinking
Luca Iandoli, Ph.D.
Distinguished Chair and Dean of the Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies
Business Model Canvas
James M. Kinsley
Director, Venture & Innovation Center, Adjunct Professor, Tobin College of Business
📣 Need Help with Your Pitch? Visit the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Table!
Visit Ms. Tami Nelson at the Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) table for open-access office hours during the competition. This is your opportunity to:
- Ask questions about your idea or startup journey
- Refine and practice your pitch
- Receive feedback on presentation materials
- Gain insights into market opportunities and business strategy
No appointment needed—stop by during the competition to make the most of this resource!
Tami Nelson has most recently served as Investor and Senior Director of Strategic Projects, leading key VC and diversity initiatives investing in under-represented founders worldwide. She has also led the execution of Techstars’ Advancing Cities fund in partnership with JP Morgan, overseeing 9 cities and 257+ investments. A dedicated mentor in the national startup ecosystem, Tami is committed to identifying transformative ideas and supporting founders on their journey.
🤝 Meet our Speakers:
Opening Remarks 💡
Steve Farella '77SVC
Entrepreneur
Board Member, My Telescope
UN Guest Speaker 🌐
Naqib Noory
Director of the Office of Security Coordination
United Nations
🤝 Meet our Student Organizers:
Richard Perez Jr.
B.S. Computer Science Class of 2026
M.S. Data Science, Class of 2027
Nathaniel Rankine
B.S. Computer Science Class of 2026
Tomas Santos Yciano
B.S. Computer Science Class of 2026
M.S. Data Science, Class of 2027
📆 Event Schedule
- 8:30 – 9:15 a.m.
Arrival and Breakfast:
Participants arrive, check in, and mingle over breakfast.
- 9:15 – 9:25 a.m.
MC: Maria Rappa
Opening Remarks:
Steve Farella '77SVC, Entrepreneur, Board Member, My Telescope
- 9:25 – 9:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker:
Naqib Noory, Director of the Office of Security Coordination, United Nations
- 9:30 – 9:35 a.m.
Dean’s Remarks:
Luca Iandoli, Distinguished Chair and Dean, Collins College of Professional Studies
- 9:40 – 9:45 a.m.
About JIC:
Radhika Jha, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & Academic Engagement, CCPS
(5-minute cushion)
- 9:45 – 12:00 p.m.
Team Ideation and Development:
Groups will work collaboratively on their sustainability ideas, with industry professionals and faculty circulating to provide feedback and guidance. Students can visit the: Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Table during this time
- 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
Workshops:
Participants will attend a hands-on workshop focused on building creativity, teamwork, or sustainability strategies, led by an industry professional or faculty member.
- 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch Break:
Students will break for lunch and network with peers and professionals or meet with their team.
- 1:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Initial Screening of Teams:
Each group will informally showcase their ideas to a judge, who will take notes and score the innovation concepts based on a scoring rubric.
- 3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Judging Review:
Judges will review scores and determine the top five teams to present in the final round.
- 3:30 – 4:15 p.m.
Finalist Presentations:
The top five teams will present their ideas to the audience. Each team will have 5 minutes, followed by a brief Q&A session with the judges.
- 4:15 – 4:30 p.m.
Final Deliberation:
Judges will convene to select the first, second, and third place winners, and Farella Vincentian Innovation Award.
- 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony:
Winners of monetary prizes and the Farella Vincentian Innovation Award announced, and certificates distributed.
Closing Remarks
Radhika Jha, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & Academic Engagement, CCPS
Post- Competition:
Recipients of non-monetary unlocked opportunities will be announced within a week. Monetary prizes will be distributed digitally.
Resources For Participants
- Templates for pitch decks and business models.
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Access to mentors and industry professionals to help refine ideas leading up to the competition.
