The Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted a successful first annual Georgia InVenture Prize. Joined in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Department of Education, University System of Georgia and Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Georgia Chamber was able to host the two-day competition, and is looking forward to watching the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs expand their skills.

The first place winner of the Georgia InVenture Prize is Extendo Socket from Fort Valley State University. Extendo Socket is an extension cord that is built into the outlet socket and can retract back into the outlet when not being used.

The second place and People’s Choice Award winner is Spartan Wheel Chariots from Southern Regional Technical College. Spartan Wheel Chariots is a wheelchair designed for an outdoor lifestyle, with more opportunities through thick wheel treads.

The Georgia Chamber proudly thanks the Georgia Power Foundation and the Georgia Inventure Prize sponsors, University System of Georgia, NCR Corporation,Georgia Lottery Corporation and Gulfstream, for their participation in a great opportunity for college students in Georgia.

It was an honor to have Mark Curry, actor, comedian and host, as the host of the Georgia Inventure Prize. The final competition judges included Lonnie Johnson- invented Super Soaker, Tiffany Krumins- founded MomGenius and Janelle Fitzpatrick- invented Better Options Company.

Georgia Inventure Prize highlights the state’s innovation ecosystem and its high potential, ambitious and growth-oriented student entrepreneurs. There were 19 colleges represented by teams and they each presented their unique business solution in front of 20 preliminary judges. The preliminary judges were made up of corporate, community and business leaders from around the state.

The Georgia Chamber would like to recognize and congratulate the 19 teams who proudly displayed their invention:

• Albany State University

• Atlanta Technical College

• Augusta Technical College

• Columbus State University

• Dalton State College

• Fort Valley State University

• Georgia College and State University

• Georgia Gwinnett College

• Georgia Tech

• Georgia Southern University

• Georgia State University

• Kennesaw State University

• Mercer University

• Middle Georgia State University

• Savannah State University

• Southern Regional Technical College

• University of Georgia

• University of North Georgia

• Valdosta State University

The Georgia Chamber’s Georgia Inventure Prize Program Manager, Cathy Hill, stated, “We are pleased with the first annual Georgia InVenture Prize and send our congratulations to the winning teams. The Georgia Chamber is promoting an innovative business environment for Georgia with increased focus on college students who define the next generation. We are looking forward to next year’s event.”