• Purpose & Background
• The Challenge & Schedule
• Sponsors
• How To Participate
• Forming Teams
• Submission Guidelines
• Evaluation Criteria and Judges
• Selection Process & Prizes
• Working with the Office of Technology Licensing
• FAQ

Evaluation Criteria

NOVELTY: Is this a truly novel approach to the problem?

SCIENCE: Does the submission reflect a thorough understanding of related principles and prior work?

PRIOR ART: How does the proposed approach compare against known products? Cite specific strengths and weaknesses compared to key existing products.

MANUFACTURABILITY: Is this concept reasonable in terms of engineering and manufacturing?

USABILITY: Would the intended user of average skill be able to use the invention? If a consumer device, would a consumer/patient be able to use the device with minimal instruction or training?

COST: Is the expected cost for this approach reasonable considering the potential benefit and comparable commercialized products, if any?

IP: An overall rating with respect to patenting, potential for licensing and/or start-up opportunity.

IMPACT: What is the potential impact of the product on bicycle safety? How big is the market?

SUSTAINABILITY: What aspects of design, manufacturing or development use or promote sustainable practices?

Note: Submissions are blinded. The panel will not know the identity of the inventors until and unless they become finalists.

Invention Challenge Panel of Judges

We are excited to have a dedicated panel of judges for the challenge:

Russ Altman, Chair of Bioengineering

Blair Clark, Sr. VP Marketing and Sales, Smith Optics

Ellen Corman, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Stanford Hospital

Randy Komisar, Partner, Kleiner Perkins

Randy Livingston, Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer,Stanford University

Thomas Prehn, Director, CatEye Service & Research Center

Laura Wilson, Director, Stanford Department of Public Safety

Russ Altman
Dr. Russ Altman is a Professor of Bioengineering, Medicine, Genetics and Computer Science (by Courtesy) at Stanford University and is the chair of the Bioengineering Department. His work focuses on the application of computational technologies to solve problems in molecular biology of relevance to medicine.

Dr. Altman is a Fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and the American College of Physicians. He has a PhD/MD from Stanford University in Medical Information Sciences.

Blair Clark
Blair Clark is Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Smith Optics in Ketchum, Idaho. Blair was formerly the Vice President of sales for Specialized Bicycles and also served as President of Giro Sport Design/Bell Sports the leading bicycle helmet company. Blair serves as a Board Member of the Bikes Belong Foundation (B.B.F) launched in 2006 to promote bicycle safety and as well as Safe Routes to School. Blair is the founder of the Paul David Clark Bicycling Safety Fund in honor of his brother who was tragically killed by a driver on the wrong side of the road while he was riding his bicycle in Contra Costa County.  The fund provides grants for bike safety projects that will make our roads safer and bring awareness to the safety issues pertaining to bicyclists of all levels. Blair also serves as a Board Member for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) that promotes responsible riding as well as the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business.

Blair wrote about his participation in the challenge:

"As a member of the Bikes Belong Foundation and having recently lost a brother to a senseless bicycle-automobile crash, for me there is nothing more important to the quality of life than bicycle safety. The best part of the judging was listening to bright articulate people with shared values developing business models to make bicycling safer and communities healthier. I fully expect that many of the product ideas generated by your contest can be commercialized by the Interbike trade show this Fall and I will be surprised if I don’t’ see one there. As an aside, my MBA thesis was on a bicycle helmet and seven years later I became the President of Giro, the leading bicycle helmet company. If I can do that, your students who have significantly more intellect and drive than can change the world."

Ellen Corman
Ellen Corman, MRA, is the injury prevention coordinator, Trauma Services, Stanford Hospital, and director of Stanford Hospital’s Farewell to Falls program has over 20 years experience working in the area of injury prevention. She has an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy and a Masters degree in rehabilitation administration. Ellen sits on the state’s Strategic Planning Committee, is active in the state’s Stop Falls Network, and currently co-chairs the San Mateo County Fall Prevention Task Force.

Ellen's response to the efforts of the teams:

"I was truly impressed with the level of commitment the teams showed and the inventions that they brought forward. I look forward to seeing a change out on the streets as the invention(s) comes to life and bicycle riders become more visible at night. "

Randy Komisar
Randy Komisar joined Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in 2005 as a partner. For several years prior, Randy partnered with entrepreneurs creating businesses with leading-edge technologies. He was a co-founder of Claris Corporation, served as CEO for LucasArts Entertainment and Crystal Dynamics, and acted as a "virtual CEO" for such companies as WebTV, Mirra and GlobalGiving. He was a founding director of TiVo where he is currently chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Earlier, Randy served as CFO of GO Corporation and Senior Counsel for Apple Computer, following a private practice in Technology Law.

Randy holds a BA in Economics from Brown University and a JD from Harvard Law School. He is a Consulting Professor of Entrepreneurship at Stanford University and author of the best-selling book The Monk and the Riddle, as well as several articles on leadership and entrepreneurship. Randy frequently speaks here and abroad on such topics.

When asked about the challenge, Randy's reply:

"I was extremely impressed by the creativity and dedication of the contestants.  Their work highlights the pillars of great entrepreneurship – solve a big problem, create a novel solution, aim it at the market.  The winners were nearly “shovel ready” and all the participants exceeded expectations.  It was a hard set of choices, but a delightful experience.  I wish them all well, and hope this is only the beginning of their entrepreneurial lives. "

Randy Livingston
Randall S. Livingston is vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer for Stanford University. He was formerly with OpenTV as executive vice president, chief financial officer and director. Livingston, who earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from Stanford in 1975 and a master's degree in business administration in 1979, is an avid cyclist.

Randy indicated his interest in the challenge:

“Improving bicycle safety is a critical need for Stanford and society at large, especially if we are to become a greener community with more people riding instead of driving to work.  I was thrilled to see the [Biodesign] program and so many creative students focus on this issue.”

Thomas Prehn
Thomas Prehn is the Director of Cat Eye Service & Research Center, President of International Cycle Works and President of Boulder Sports Research and has been involved in cycling since the early 1970s. He won the 1986 USPRO road championship and was a consistent top finisher in US national championship races throughout his career. He has written two books on cycling: Racing Tactics for Cyclists and Expert Bike Handling. Thomas also serves on the Board of the Bicycle Suppliers Association (BPSA).

Laura Wilson
Laura Wilson is Director, Stanford Department of Public Safety and Police Chief of Stanford, California. Wilson, who earned a bachelor's degree in human biology from Stanford in 1991, was the first female officer as well as the first alumnus to serve as police chief. Wilson joined the Department of Public Safety as a deputy sheriff in 1992. She was promoted to sergeant in 1998 and began supervising the community service officer division in 1999. In January 2001, she was promoted to lieutenant and worked in the investigations division and oversaw the special events program. A triathlete who ran track at Stanford and was a member of the cycling team, she now promotes bicycle use in police work. She is a member of the International Police Mountain Biking Association.