Veterinary Innovation Challenge looks to students for entrepreneurship, creative ideas

Designed to encourage entrepreneurial thinking and innovative ideas among veterinary students, the inaugural Veterinary Innovation Challenge is now accepting proposals. The competition, founded by University of Pennsylvania veterinary students in 2013, will field business ideas from student-led teams with a grand prize of $10,000. The University of Pennsylvania will host the final round of the competition this September in Philadelphia.

Proposals will be accepted through May 1. Successful business proposals will center on an idea of relevance to the veterinary industry, veterinary medicine or veterinary education. One person or more may form a team. Each team must have a designated team leader who is a degree candidate at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school. Eight teams will be selected as finalists in June and offered a professional mentorship prior to the grand finals Sept. 6, where business proposals will be presented to a panel of judges.

While the first-place team will be awarded $10,000, the second-place team will receive $5,000 and third place will receive $2,500. For more information, go to vetinnovation.com.