August 16-22, 2015Blacksburg and Roanoke, VA, USA

VT KnowledgeWorks Global Student Challenge Trophy

Finalists at the 2014 Global Student Challenge

The VT KnowledgeWorks Global Student Business Concept Challenge winners receive $25,000 and an attractive trophy to display at their home institution. In addition, as a permanent tribute to their outstanding effort, the team name and home university are engraved on the Global Challenge Trophy housed at VT KnowledgeWorks. Teams honored with second place and the People’s Choice award each receive $5,000 cash prizes.

The People’s Choice award of $5,000, sponsored by Virginia Tech’s Outreach and International Affairs, was awarded to Team DD-MOff from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, in Santiago, Chile. Their winning concept presented by Andrea Carolina Mohr Beckdorf, Trinidad Schlotterbeck Suárez, and Alison Kareen Scheuch González was a natural product to kill Didymo that has been in contact with objects, which is a highly invasive algae spreading in several rivers and lakes around the world, while reducing the chance of its dissemination to new environments.

The grand prize went to Leonardo Stenico, Galena Kostoska, Alberto Parrella, and Julia Wache of Team feelSpace, representing the University of Trento, in Trento, Italy. Their winning concept provides a GPS-driven, vibrating, navigational device for blind people, allowing users to have their hands and ears free to fully perceive their environment when navigating.

The second place prize of $5,000 was awarded to Team Santé West representing the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada. Cam Stuart of Team Santé West aims to bring the proven science of partial weight bearing to a personal, convenient device, helping the user recover from knee and lower leg injuries in less time with better functional outcomes.

VT KnowledgeWorks Global Partnership Week August 16-22, 2015

The VT KnowledgeWorks Global Partnership Week offers university students and faculty from all over the world a chance to collaborate, form partnerships, and build their global networks. The Global Partnership is an ongoing, cooperative association of regions building permanent social and academic relationships with each other, for mutual long-term advantage. Members of the partnership gather annually during a weeklong event hosted by VT KnowledgeWorks, the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Virginia Tech, and the citizens and businesses of Roanoke and Blacksburg, Virginia. All participants will take home priceless memories and a personal global network of colleagues and friends. Two concurrent tracks will be offered during the Global Partnership Week including a: Student Track • Chance to compete for the VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge Trophy and a $25,000 Grand Prize,

$5,000 Second Place Prize, and $5,000 People’s Choice Award • Shadow experience in local, technology-based American companies • Lodging provided by local host families • Downtown Blacksburg and Roanoke tours and shopping • Virginia Tech campus and Lane Stadium tours • Celebratory meals, banquets, and social gatherings with Virginia Tech students • Opportunity to build your global network with other university students … ALL FREE for competing student team members!

University Track • Roundtables that explore and facilitate multi-university cooperative arrangements • Brainstorm sessions to exchange best practices • Overview of Virginia Tech and introduction to university executives • Celebratory meals and banquets with global students and faculty • Downtown Roanoke attractions and shopping • Admission to the Global Student Business Concept Challenge and Awards Banquet • Opportunity to network and partner with other universities

Event Agenda The VT KnowledgeWorks Global Partnership Week is a weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship offering a Student Track and University Track where attendees will enjoy the following: Sunday, August 16 –

• Student teams arrive and meet host families in Blacksburg

Monday, August 17 – • Kick-off lunch and introduction to host companies • Presentation coaching with host companies • Informal welcome dinner with host families at the Wikiteria Market and Café

Tuesday, August 18 – Student Track:

• Center for the Arts, Virginia Tech campus, and Lane Stadium tours • University Bookstore shopping • Student teams work on campus on their presentations • Late lunch and presentation coaching in the afternoon with host companies • Dinner with host families

University Track:

• Center for the Arts and Virginia Tech tours • Introduction to Virginia Tech and lunch with university leaders at The Inn at Virginia Tech • University Partner Roundtable on exploring research and education collaborations • Dinner at Jim Flowers’ house, Executive Director of VT KnowledgeWorks

Wednesday, August 19 –

• Cascades Hike with the Virginia Tech German Club members • Lunch at Panera in Christiansburg • Student teams work in the afternoon on their presentations at CoffeeWorks • Dinner with host families

Thursday, August 20 –

• Global Student Business Concept Challenge at The Inn at Virginia Tech • Awards banquet and celebration at The Inn at Virginia Tech • After party celebration with a local organization in Blacksburg

Friday, August 21 –

• Bus to Roanoke and check into The Hotel Roanoke • Visit downtown Roanoke attractions and informal lunch • Tastes and Sounds of the Valleys Reception at The Hotel Roanoke • Opportunities to visit downtown Roanoke bars and restaurants at your leisure • Overnight at The Hotel Roanoke

Saturday, August 22 –

• Departure

How to Register Deadline is July 1, 2015 1. Join the Partnership and Pay the Annual Dues VT KnowledgeWorks and all the other members of the Global Partnership would like to confirm your region’s full and active participation by completing the Annual Regional Partnership Registration. By registering as an annual regional partner and paying the $250 administrative fee, you commit to participating in the Student and University Tracks during the Global Partnership Week, August 16-22, 2015. The Student Track offers university teams from all over the world a chance to pitch their business concepts and compete for a $25,000 grand prize and Global Challenge Trophy. The University Track offers faculty and staff members a chance to participate in the university-to-university relationship roundtable to explore cooperative arrangements and exchange best practices, hosted by Virginia Tech’s Outreach and International Affairs. 2. Team Registration for the Global Student Business Concept Challenge After you join the Partnership, reserve a spot for the winning student team in your region at the Global Student Business Concept Challenge by submitting an Intent to Compete Form. Each team or organization must submit an Intent to Compete, accessible at www.vtkwglobal.com/2015/rules. Please review all rules and guidelines and direct any questions to the VT KnowledgeWorks Staff to ensure a student team’s eligibility. Only full-time university students are eligible to participate in the Global Student Challenge. Students may elect to work with teams of up to five members. All student presentations at the Challenge must be made in English. Once your team receives email confirmation of a reserved place in the finals, each member of your winning student team and any accompanying faculty/staff must individually register, as mentioned below. 3. Individual Registration Please complete steps 1 and 2 before you make your individual registrations online by credit card. Register at www.vtkwglobal.com/2015/participant to purchase event admission for the Student or University Track. If you prefer to pay by check or wire transfer, please contact the VT KnowledgeWorks Staff at info@vtkwglobal.com for more information. To access the forms online and learn more about registration, go to www.vtkwglobal.com/2015/participant.

Outcomes of the Fifth Annual Global Partnership Week The Fifth Annual VT KnowledgeWorks Global Partnership Week held on August 17-23, 2014, provided a unique opportunity for student teams and faculty from all over the world to collaborate and initiate their personal global networks through learning, socialization, and friendly competition. During this week-long celebration, we had over 35 international students and faculty members from 12 universities around the world visit the Roanoke-Blacksburg region. We were able to award three finalist teams $35,000 in cash prizes to encourage their entrepreneurial endeavors, and we created a host of new international ambassadors for our region. We had over 250 regional participants that were involved or supported the event, including 12 regional technology companies, 18 host families, and 29 sponsors, just to name a few.

Stay Connected:

Global Partnership – www.vtkwglobal.com VT KnowledgeWorks – www.vtknowledgeworks.com Blog – www.insidevtknowledgeworks.com LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/vt-knowledgeworks Twitter – http://twitter.com/vtkw Facebook – www.facebook.com/vtknowledgeworks

Event Outcomes www.vtkwglobal.com/press

2014 Video http://youtu.be/9nwKUWwcPDA

Press Release www.insidevtknowledgeworks.com/2014/08/fifth-annual-global-partnership-winners-announced.html

Photos www.facebook.com/vtknowledgeworks

Testimonials from First Place Winning Teams 2010-2014 Global Student Business Concept Challenges “When our team heard that we had the chance to go to the VT KnowledgeWorks Global Student Challenge we became motivated and spent quite a bit of effort on our project and the pitch. We learned a lot during our preparations but we learned the most during the finals week in Virginia. We received very good and constructive feedback from our host company, Click & Pledge, including how to make a pitch. This event not only educated us from a business standpoint but it was a special cultural experience. Being hosted by local families gave us insights about the culture and we significantly enjoyed our time with them. Students from all over the world participated in the event, so we could learn more about their cultures, as well. It was a great opportunity to broaden our business and personal networks in this wonderful, positive atmosphere. We are very grateful for the experience and look forward to seeing what happens with the other projects and teams, as well as who competes next year.”

Leonardo Stenico, Galena Kostoska, Alberto Parrella, and Julia Wache of Team feelSpace from the University of Trento, Italy, Winners of the 2014 Global Student Challenge

“The VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge was an enriching experience and incredibly beneficial on several different levels. During the event week, we were able to challenge our current market vision and the way we conduct business. These new visions came to light through the help of our host company, Interactive Achievement, who served as a business coach during the event week. Thanks to their constant support, we were highly motivated for the Challenge. Generally speaking, it was a pleasure to exchange ideas with the Virginia Tech staff, our host families and our host company, who made us feel welcome and enhanced our experience in the USA. It was also enlightening to see and learn about all the other teams’ ambitious projects. We look forward to hearing about their successes and general progress!”

Sarah Cherruault & François Dupayrat of Team Auticiel from Télécom Ecole de Management, France, Winners of the 2013 Global Student Challenge

“The VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge was a phenomenal experience for our team and our business. This competition motivated us to push forward our venture during the months leading up to the event, and discover its potential. While in Virginia, we were provided with valuable mentorship from a partner company, as well as peer mentorship from our fellow participants. We learned about entrepreneurship around the globe, and felt privileged to be part of an incredible community of leaders. It was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are extremely grateful to have been

a part of it. I am sure this was an amazing stepping stone in the careers of all participants, and we are curious and excited to see how each of these teams and leaders progress into the future. Best of luck to all participants, and thank you to the entire VTKW team, our host families/companies, and everyone involved for your gracious support!”

Annelies Tjebbes & Mayank Kalra of Team VersiCool from the University of British Columbia, Canada, Winners of the 2012 Global Student Challenge

“VT KnowledgeWorks Global Challenge provided us tools for improving our business model and giving us the chance to receive feedback, which was key for our success. The competition was very challenging, facing high potential teams with awesome ideas. We also enjoyed all the recreational activities and the time spent with our host families, which was the best way to relax throughout the week. The Global Challenge was more to us than just winning the $25,000 grand prize; it was an excellent networking opportunity to build our international partnerships with local companies and to make friends from different cultures. Are you ready to compete with high potential startups and have a lot of fun in the beautiful town of Blacksburg? If your answer is yes, then it’s your turn to take the Challenge.”

Matias Rojas, Andrés Testón, Mauricio Ulloa & Guillermo Vargas of Team Kimeltu from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Winners of the 2011 Global Student Challenge

“The Global Challenge provided our business with an opportunity like no other. Having been involved with business competitions locally, the Global Challenge provided us with a forum to really develop our business and a platform to do so on a global level. The support we received from VT KnowledgeWorks was incredible and a real testament to the hardworking, dedicated and knowledgeable staff there. The Global Challenge provided us with an opportunity to network with students and business leaders from across the world. This has helped us to develop our business and strengthen our personal network. The Global Challenge is a world class event, hosted by experts, and we highly recommend this experience to student teams.”

Vincent Murray & Colm Connolly of Team Ecosy from Queen’s University, Northern Ireland, Winners of the 2010 Global Student Challenge

Assero - Kent, England

Disha Bansal

University of Kent

BONDTOUR - Monterrey, Mexico

Irving Omar Guadarrama Díaz, Mariana Garza Villalobos

Tecnológico de Monterrey

DD-MOff - Santiago, Chile

Andrea Carolina Mohr Beckdorf, Alison Kareen Scheuch González, Trinidad Schlotterbeck Suárez

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

feelSpace - Trento, Italy

Roman Chirikov, Galena Kostoska, Alberto Parrella, Leonardo Stenico, Julia Wache

University of Trento

Fishman - Alexandria, Egypt

Essa Muhammad, Muhammad Magdi Saad, Omar Salama

Alexandria University

OpenDoor - Vienna, Austria

Maria Hochstöger, Philipp Omenitsch

Vienna University of Technology

2014 Global Student Business Concept Challenge Finalists

Microfinance today is the provision of financial services to those individuals who lack access to banking and other related services. By entering this industry, Assero will implement a biometric mobile point of sale technology that provides a secure conduit to save data on the server at the back end directly. By doing this, date, time, location and biometrics of the transactor are all recorded in a tamper-proof manner which the agent cannot access following an upload. Since the microfinance industry today lacks a strong technological tool, Assero will be the solution to address fraudulent transactions, as well as non-repayment of dues, multiple loans, etc. The key factor being - the one who is meant to benefit needs to benefit!

BONDTOUR seeks to connect tourists with local people and businesses through technological support, while preserving and reinforcing the essence of worldwide culture, providing unexpected adventures, and saving tourists time and money. BONDTOUR provides an application with social media interaction, as well as tools that will improve the trip-planning experience, like a booking system, maps, photo and video uploads, agendas, and information about the destiny. It supports the involvement of micro and small local businesses, respective to where the tourist is traveling, by promoting their products and services through the platform.

Didymo is a highly invasive algae spreading in several rivers and lakes around the world, affecting negatively their natural flora and fauna. DD-MOff is a natural product designed to be applied on any object that was in contact with the algae, killing the latter effectively and reducing the chance of dissemination to new environments, while not affecting other ecosystems. DD-MOff kills the algae faster and more effectively than any other existing solutions.

feelSpace provides a navigation device for blind people. It is a belt that has vibrating units around the waist. The unit that points to a selected goal - either a gps coordinate or north - is always vibrating, thereby indicating the way. This is especially useful for blind and visually impaired people who need their hands and ears free to fully perceive their environment when navigating.

Fishman system is an artificial gill system that produces oxygen from water to be breathed by scuba divers. Fishman can give scuba divers more time under water and it’s lighter than diving cylinders. With these advantages and with a growing global scuba diving equipment market, Fishman market is expected to grow at a good rate. Fishman will create economic benefits through making profits, creating jobs, and supporting other businesses related to scuba diving.

OpenDoor is a better and safer way to manage building access. Through a small physical device, any intercom can be upgraded to be controlled through the OpenDoor system. The administrator can hand out and revoke permanent or temporary keys to anybody with the OpenDoor app on their smartphones. This ensures real-time information about who has access to and who enters a certain building, and eliminates all the hassles that come with physical keys.

Restovation optimizes the customer experience in restaurants by making use of the latest technologies and innovations in the restaurant sector. Lately, the industry focus has been on optimizing restaurant workflow. Indirectly, this has impacted the customer experience. Restovation creates software to enhance the menu by providing additional information about food and beverages in the restaurant, and allows the customer to order. This application will be linked to pre-existing systems available in restaurants.

SAIO enhances the quality of companies’ digital customer service through an online platform, humanized by a virtual assistant, Lily. The user has access to all of the company’s media on the platform, including their website, native application, Facebook page, physical terminal, etc. Lily addresses users’ questions, thanks to a semantic search engine, and helps the user navigate through the platform to the right interlocutor through the communication channel of his choice (click-to-chat, click-to-call, web call back, etc.). SAIO allies the best of virtual and human resources. The benefit for the user is that it’s simple to find answers, wherever you are, whenever it is, and just the way you want it. The benefit for the company is to enhance its customer satisfaction and trust, while optimizing its human resources and reducing its support costs. Learn more at www.saio.fr.

Santé West aims to bring the proven science of partial weight bearing to a personal, convenient device, helping the user recover from knee and lower leg injuries in less time with better functional outcomes.

Jewelry based in fusión between amazonia art of indigenous people of Ec-uador and modern techniques. We use seeds and plumes in a silver combi-nation and all designs are personalized. Every piece tells a story, including the history behind the piece and the history of the mystique native cultures from Ecuadorian Amazon. We are delighted to export globally with this new Ecuadorian-based product and to promote the local cultures.

Why can your smartphone guide you from thousands of miles away to within 20 feet of your destination, but when you arrive you’re on your own for finding a parking space? The most outdated part of your commute today isn’t your car; it’s finding that space. We believe we have an answer to this problem and that solution is Vestigo, your parking lot GPS. Vestigo uses a novel data collection system that takes advantage of inexpensive, high-quality laser rangefinders in tandem with a mobile service – to provide a real time map of available parking.

There is a critical need to develop widely available diagnostic and monitoring technologies for the treatment of individuals with degenerative disorders of the nervous system, such as Parkinson’s disease. WalkScan™ is developing a cost-effective “first point of care” mobility analysis technology. WalkScan™ assists a family’s medical practitioner to make accurate diagnoses of progressively degenerative diseases, particularly in their early stages. An earlier referral to a specialist has a positive impact on a patient’s overall quality of life, and can reduce future injuries associated with mobility disorders. The WalkScan™ analysis technology also has other associated medical applications in trauma rehabilitation, as well as non-associated commercial applications in security scanning and retail environment mapping.

Restovation - Ghent, Belgium

Maxim Sergeant, Adriaan Theys

Ghent University

SAIO - Evry, France

Jean-Claude Giron, Marina Lostan, Nicolas Mitchell

Télécom SudParis and Télécom Ecole de Management

Santé West - Progressive Weight-Bearing Brace - Vancouver, Canada

Cam Stuart

University of British Columbia

Secha Jewelry - Quito, Ecuador

Lucely del Pilar Tigse Iza, Nanki Lauro Saant Juank

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Vestigo - Virginia, USA

Joe Acanfora, Paul Feagan, Jeff Morris

Virginia Tech

WalkScan™ - Sydney, Australia

Armin Adeli, Sadra Boutorabi, Christopher Michaelides

University of Technology Sydney

Update on Some of the Past Global Student Challenge FinalistsAs of May 2014

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner in 2013 Auticiel – Evry, France Sarah Cherruault and François Dupayrat Télécom Ecole de Management

Team Auticiel pursued their business idea and has partnered with the Orange Foundation and UNAPEI to launch “Applications-Autisme.com”, the first interactive site collating all the applications for people with autism. Applications-Autisme.com is an interactive platform, a place of exchange and sharing, which enables caregivers and the parents of those who suffer from autism to find specially designed applications and in this way to foster their learning. Thanks to medical-social professionals and families, Applications-Autisme.com today lists almost 100 highly relevant applications.

$5,000 Second Place Winner in 2013 Roka - Sydney, Australia Conchita De Souza, Janek Gonsalkorale, Paridhi Jain, and Natalia Krslovic University of Technology Sydney

In December 2013, as well as January and February 2014, Team Roka sent over 20 university student volunteers to Bangalore, India, to engage the quarry communities with Roka and to develop the social side of their jewelry business. They trained and now employ 12 women in two quarry communities. They are working on a new website and logo, fulfilling orders, and are looking to hire a logistics manager in Bangalore to oversee the business. Currently, they are researching marketing and sales strategies in Australia.

$5,000 People’s Choice Winner in 2013 GraphInsight - Trento, Italy Gleb Mikulich, Luca Mirabella, Jing Zhu University of Trento

GraphInsight is now transitioning to an open-source project for experts and researchers in advanced data analytics. It proved to be a great demo product to attract consultancy projects, but they shortly realized that the business was not scalable. Part of the team is now working full-time on a new startup called Skysense. Skysense offers remote-controlled charging pads and protective hangars for multicopters and VTOL aircrafts. They have a working prototype that implements their pending-patent technology. They are now setting up the commercialization and planning a Road Demo Tour from San Diego to San Francisco, CA, in May 2014. They've been selected as one of the top-10 Hardware Startups to showcase their product at the O'Reilly Solid Conference, held in San Francisco, CA, on May 21-22.

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner in 2012 VersiCool – Vancouver, Canada Mayank Kalra, Annelies Tjebbes University of British Columbia

Versicool is still being pursued in an academic setting and a proof-of-concept prototype is currently being tested. Their portable medical device induces controlled hypothermia in cardiac arrest patients, significantly reducing risk of death and other side effects.

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner in 2011 Kimeltu - Santiago, Chile Guillermo Vargas Keith, Matias Rojas, Andrés Testón, Mauricio Ulloa Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Team Kimeltu was awarded $40,000 from a Startup Chile challenge in 2012. Kimeltu was a web platform, which allows educators to measure students’ performance and to monitor their progress by taking easily generated tests. They stumbled into some challenges later on because school county managers weren’t willing to invest in their web-based service applications, since they had already allocated part of their budget on other competing services and technology products. One of the team members, Andrés Téston, started another startup, which is a management web application for professional football (soccer) clubs in Latin American and European countries.

$5,000 Runner-up Team in 2011 Bio-Sense Diagnostics - Kent, England William Humphries, Phoebe Maund, Emma Perot, Claudia Rathje, Caroline Tolley University of Kent

One of the team members, William Humphries, is currently working for an R&D company called Mologic and plans to pursue Bio-Sense Diagnostics as part of his research initiatives while working there. Bio-Sense Diagnostics develops novel diagnostics for the fast and efficient diagnosis of certain tumors.

$5,000 Runner-up Team in 2011 OOHLALA Mobile – Toronto, Canada Peter Cen, James Dang University of Toronto

Since the Global Student Business Concept Challenge, OOHLALA has grown to a team of 20 and is now revenue positive. Their business model has changed to directly working with universities/colleges by providing them with a mobile platform specific to their campus. OOHLALA is currently working with 90 campuses in North America and Europe, and recently completed a start-up accelerator and seed round of funding.

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner in 2010 Ecosy - Belfast, Northern Ireland Colm Connolly and Vincent Murray Queen's University

Ecosy, which offers innovative outdoor heaters powered by renewable fuel, is currently on hold. Awhile after the Global Student Business Concept Challenge, the European Union decided not to introduce a Europe-wide gas patio heater ban, which impacted their projected market size assumptions. Currently, both team members have taken jobs in the industry to gain as much relevant commercial and technical experience as possible to make sure they are equipped with the right skills to make their idea work in the future.

$5,000 Runner-up Team in 2010 EasyCheck - Emek Hefer, Israel Shahar Peled, Hadas Geva, Inbal Gutman Ruppin Academic Center

Although EasyCheck is no longer being pursued as a business, one of the team members, Shahar Peled, started his own company called ArTack Medical. ArTack Medical is developing the “eTack,” which is a novel, motorized, articulated hernia mesh fixation device. It is designed for laparoscopic repair, as well as open surgery, and can be used with any currently available mesh.

2014 VT KnowledgeWorks Sponsors

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