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Competitions and Challenges

The California Institute for Innovation and Development (CIID) provides a variety of opportunities for students to explore the many sides of innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more about some of the challenges and competitions available to students below.

Triton Innovation Challenge

The Triton Innovation Challenge, supported through the generosity of the William and Kathryn Scripps Family Foundation Inc., is a collaboration of Rady School of Management, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Jacobs School of Engineering and supports UC San Diego faculty, staff and students proposing new commercially promising technology ventures to address environmental problems. Now entering its eleventh year, the competition provides teams with training, mentoring, cash awards, and post-competition support to help ensure the success of new ventures.

This year the competition will award cash prizes totaling at least $12,500 to support new and innovative ideas that relate to the environment (comes from, is inspired by, or directly impacts nature.) Environmentally related social innovation ideas and those with or without a prototype are encouraged to apply.

Important Dates:

  • Info sessions/networking - April 5, 2023 at noon RSVP Here
  • Applications due – April 9, 2023 (midnight)
  • Applicants notified of status – April 14, 2023
  • Semifinals – May 10, 2023
  • Final event – May 23, 2023 RSVP Here

Who can participate?
The Triton Innovation Challenge is open to any current UC San Diego student, staff or faculty member can apply.*  Those with environmentally relevant ideas at all stages of development, including social innovation ideas, are welcome to submit an application. 

How do I apply?
Applications are now open! Apply online by April 9th (midnight) Apply Here

Need inspiration?
See last year’s finalists pitch their technologies - watch the 2022 event.

Questions?
Contact SullivanEntrepreneurship@rady.ucsd.edu

*Previous prize winners are not eligible to apply.