Student teams were awarded over $50,000 for their business concepts

Team Hoola One from Canada was awarded $22,000 for its project that removes microplastics from beaches
U.S. teams were awarded an additional $7,000 for their tire recycling innovations

San Diego CA— At this year’s Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge, 41 student teams received a total of $57,000 for their social venture concepts aimed at tackling social issues around the globe. Focus areas included wireless technology impact, the diversity of female voices and leadership in sustainable business ventures and a new focus area this year on innovative new ways to use recycled tires.

2019 WINNERS

Social Innovation Track

• Hoola One (Université de Sherbrooke), $22,000
  • An effective solution to remove microplastics from beaches
• Truely (San Diego State University), $15,000
  • Replacing traditional petrochemical plastic consumer products
• SoulMuch (San Diego State University), $2,000 for audience choice
  • Upcycling leftover restaurant food ingredients for making delicious cookies
• Re: Fresh Smoothies (University of San Diego), $1,000 for audience choice
  • Smoothie powders using imperfect fruits and vegetables

Tire Recycling Innovation Track

• EcoRail (NewSchool of Architecture and Design), $3,000
  • Lowers highway fatalities through an ecological approach
• QuakeSafe (University of San Diego), $3,000
  • Using surplus tire waste as crumb rubber to reduce impact of earthquakes
• Plastic Solutions (Ferris State University), $1,000
  • Incorporating recycled tires into rubber products

Qualcomm Wireless Impact Track

• Sensibin (Trinity College Dublin), $5,000
  • Tech that stops people from putting waste in the wrong bin

Women Innovators Track

• SoulMuch (San Diego State University), $3,000
  • Upcycling leftover restaurant food ingredients for making delicious cookies
• Mobie Dock (Loyola Marymount University), $2,000
  • Creates partnerships between college campuses and micromobility operators to charge devices with campus energy sources

This year’s Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge gathered participants from 26 universities across 12 countries to pitch their business plans in front of a panel of judges made up of San Diego’s industry and social good leaders. The students developed a nuanced understanding of an issue of their choice, identified gaps in the existing approaches and developed their plans for a solution.
The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge started at the University of San Diego in 2011, featuring only student groups from the university. Over the years, it has grown into a global program inviting students from around the world to present their ideas for changing the world.
With the annual showcase, USD’s Center for Peace and Commerce, a partnership between the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and the School of Business, changes the way these future leaders view business as a necessary element in creating social good.
“The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge inspires future leaders to shift the way they see business as a means for creating social good and making a difference in their communities,” said Amitkumar Kakkad, PhD, director of USD’s Center for Peace and Commerce and faculty member at the School of Business. “I’m confident tonight’s winners – and each participant – will be a positive force in our society. While tonight’s top winner, Hoola One, will be reducing plastics on our shores, all of our participants will contribute to a reduction in ignorance and indifference in the business world.”