Program Overview

Introduction to Innovation Quest (iQ)

Innovation Quest (iQ) is a program designed to empower and support innovators and entrepreneurs in building interdisciplinary teams to transform ideas into prototypes and companies. The program encourages innovators to pursue their ideas and provides the necessary funding to launch their businesses.

Program Overview

Founded in 2004 by Cal Poly graduates and business leaders, iQ has awarded over $400,000 in support of Cal Poly innovators and entrepreneurs. The program has enabled students from all colleges at Cal Poly to compete, form companies, and remain involved, giving back to the program.

Program Details

• Innovators and entrepreneurs from all colleges at Cal Poly can participate in iQ.
• The program is designed to encourage innovators to pursue their ideas and provide funding to launch their businesses.
• iQ has already awarded more than $400,000 in support of Cal Poly innovators and entrepreneurs.

Application and Competition

• Applications for iQ are accepted on a competitive basis.
• The competition involves innovators and entrepreneurs presenting their ideas and prototypes to a panel of judges.
• The program offers a grand prize of $15,000 and over $10,000 in additional prize money.

Past Winners

• Past winners of iQ have included innovative projects such as NeuroCom, a wearable tactile device, and GreenSight Technologies, an AI-powered innovation.
• Winners have gone on to launch successful businesses and remain involved in the program.

Program Benefits

• iQ provides a platform for entrepreneurial-minded students to showcase their innovations.
• The program offers funding and support to help launch businesses.
• iQ enables students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as entrepreneurs.

Related Programs

• The Hatchery: a program designed to shape and grow student-led startups.
• Camp PolyHacks: a student-run, multidisciplinary hackathon dedicated to social entrepreneurship and human-centered design.
• Elevator Pitch Competition: a competition where students can pitch their ideas to a panel of entrepreneurs and compete for cash prizes.
• Startup Launch Weekend: a program where students have 54 hours to build a business with a team of strangers.