The 9th annual NH Social Venture Innovation Challenge (SVIC) has concluded and we are pleased to announce the winning teams among nine finalist teams who advanced to the Final Round and presented live via webinar on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
We could not host this transformational learning experience for NH's students with out the support of our many partners - thank you!
Major supporters of the 2021 SVIC include Alnoba, Timberland and Kennebunk Savings; additional supporters include CCA Global Partners, Prime Buchholz, NH Businesses for Social Responsibility, and Maurice Prize for Innovation.
The SVIC is a collaborative, interdisciplinary event, organized at UNH's Changemaker Collaborative, a partnership of UNH's Sustainability Institute, the Peter T. Paul College of Business & Economics and the Carsey School of Public Policy. Additional collaborators include a record number of UNH faculty who embedded the SVIC into their fall courses, Ian Grant, Executive Director of UNH’s ECenter, who served as advisor to many teams who advanced to the Final Round, and Drew Bonfiglio, Co-Founder of Emzingo, who led an intensive credit-bearing human-centered design course for students entering the SVIC.
Congratulations to the 2021 SVIC Winning Teams!
3Vize
3Vize is providing low-cost 3D printed products for students with disabilities to reduce accessibility barriers when transitioning to higher education.
Daisy Burns, UNH 2024 | Economics: Sustainability and Public Policy
Tim Sicard, UNH 2024 | Finance and Business Analytics
Will Sargent, UNH 2024 | Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Ian Grant, Executive Director, ECenter
Judges Award:
Best Articulated Problem
Apropos Energy
Apropos Energy is a software company using video games to equip the next generation with the knowledge needed to tackle the world’s energy challenges.
Samuel Mercer, UNH 2023 | Chemical Engineering
Eli Duggan, UNH 2023 | Bioengineering
Matt Libby, UNH 2023 | Chemical Engineering
Henry Lavoie, UNH 2022 | Analytical Economics, German
Ben Mackillop, UNH 2023 | Political Science, Economics
Advisor: Ian Grant, Executive Director, ECenter
Audience Choice Award:
First Place
FoodConnect is an app that will allow grocery stores to sell their excess food that would otherwise go to waste to low-income families in need.
Madeline Kayser, UNH 2023 | Business Administration, Management Option
Avery Harrison, UNH 2023 | Business Administration, Management Option
Peyton Kemp, UNH 2024| Business Administration, Finance Option
Advisor: Drew Bonfiglio, Co-founder, Emzingo
Audience Choice Award:
Second Place
Grey-t Water
Grey-t Water is a greywater filtration system that recycles water from your shower and sink drains and redistributes it to your toilets.
Emily Abrusci, UNH 2025 | Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
Nathan Brennan, UNH 2025 | Business Administration
Michael Hartmann, UNH 2025 | Business Administration
Advisor: Ian Grant, Executive Director, ECenter
Judges Awards:
Best Overall First-year Student Submission
& Most Impact Potential
Hidden Coast Aquaculture
Hidden Coast Aquaculture is a kelp-farming venture that reduces pollution in the Great Bay Estuary while stimulating economic growth in the region.
August Murray, UNH 2022 | Civil Engineering
Dana Sher, UNH 2022 | Civil Engineering
Meaghan Wiggin, UNH 2023 | Civil Engineering
Devan Sack, UNH 2023 | Civil Engineering
Advisor: Kyle Kwiatkowski, Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Judges Award:
Most Impactful Story to
Engage Stakeholders
Audience Choice Award:
Third Place
TakeBack
TakeBack is a business that helps food vendors and take-out customers say “no” to single use plastics through subscription-based reusable take-out containers.
Amanda Sun, Dartmouth College 2023 | Computer Science, Environmental Studies
Allan Rubio, Dartmouth College 2023 | Biology, Computer Science
Polly Chesnokova, Dartmouth College 2024 | Film and Media Studies
Advisor: Benoit Cushman-Roisin, Professor of Engineering, Thayer School of Engineering
Judges Award:
Most Financially Sustainable Solution
Tidan
Tidan is a solar-powered, autonomous microplastic ocean vacuum that helps restore the environment and improve the health of marine and human life across the globe.
Derek Bobbitt, UNH 2024 | Finance, Information Systems and Business Analytics
Yevgenia Men, UNH 2024 | Bioengineering, Sustainability
Kaiden Bedell, UNH 2024 | Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Ian Grant, Executive Director, ECenter
