The hallmarks of truly great national and global universities are extraordinary scholars, excellent teaching, and groundbreaking research.  Over the next five years, we will dedicate more resources to programs like Invent@SU to challenge students to solve real-world problems, and provide faculty the tools and support to deliver innovative experiential learning opportunities.

These kinds of investments allow students like Niall Shannon ’20 and Mina Diamantis ’19 to participate in the invention accelerator program. Students from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Visual and Performing Arts formed 10 teams competed to in a “Shark-Tank”-style presentation to design, prototype and pitch new products.

Shannon and Diamantis focused on how traditional wheelchairs can tip over and they were determined to come up with a solution.

“This is what I always wanted to do. I’ve had ideas in the past where I said, this solves a problem and I think other people could find it very useful,” says Shannon.

Their idea took first place and the $5,000 prize.

The Invest Syracuse: Advancing Academic Excellence and the Student Experience initiative will help more student teams receive seed funding support and assistance from faculty across campus to develop their inventions. Learn more about how Invest Syracuse advances discovery and innovation.