Arctic Innovation Competition

Serena Allen holds up giant check at AIC photobooth.
Main division first place winner Serena Allen, center right, receives her team's $15,000 award from AIC judge Justin Seavey, Usibelli Coal Mine vice president Lisa Cassino and UAF chancellor Dan White.

Congratulations to 2023 Arctic Innovation Competition (AIC) winner Serena Allen and team! Their idea was a is a portable outdoor air-purification system that filters out particulate matter. Allen, who heard about AIC from the UAF Center for Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship, traveled from Los Angeles to pitch her solution.

“Particulate matter pollution is a global problem that Fairbanks knows all too well. AIC allowed us to share our technology with an audience that understands the urgency of this problem,” Allen said. “The judges gave great feedback and asked questions that made us think critically about our technology’s understandability and deployment strategy. It was awesome to meet other Arctic innovators and listen to their pitches. ” 

Started in 2009, AIC is Alaska’s original idea contest that awards $45,000 in cash prizes and awards.

Some unique features of this competition include:

  • Ideas do not have to be Arctic-related
  • Free to enter
  • No business plan or prototype required (but recommended)
  • Individuals and teams of all ages may enter
  • Multiple ideas may be entered

The deadline to submit an idea for AIC 2024 is TBA. 

The AIC 2024 Award Ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Learn more or submit your idea!

Visit the AIC website!

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