By LYNN YANG
Tiger Media Network
For individuals looking to make a difference with an idea, connect with other innovative thinkers or launch a new venture, this weekend’s EPI²C Sustainability Challenge is an opportunity to do just that.
The EPI²C Sustainability Challenge is a 48-hour innovation marathon that provides a platform for individuals and teams with sustainable development ideas to turn their ideas into reality through brainstorming, collaboration, and practice. This is not just a competition, but a great opportunity to explore how to meet today’s environmental challenges through innovation.
The event is open to any student, regardless of their background, major or experience.
According to Event Coordinator and Instructor of Management at FHSU Henry Schwaller, this competition is the best platform to showcase your business talents. He encourages attendees to bring sustainable innovation ideas, join the competition and win your prize.
“This is a great exercise in building several skills,” Schwaller said. “…teamwork, innovative problem solving, visual and oral presentations, basic business skills, such as marketing, management, finance, accounting and information technology; and mastering the process of validating a business idea by communicating with customers.”
The first night’s activities are mainly for communication and team building. Attendees can join the event whether they already have an idea or not. Those who come with an idea will have the opportunity to share and polish it with other participants who are passionate about sustainability. Even those without a specific idea can contribute their wisdom and skills by joining an existing team.
“Participants must have a collaborative spirit and be willing to work with others,” said Olamide Awosika, a GTA within the Department of Management. “It’s not necessary to have any advanced skills or expertise beforehand—just bring your idea and an open mind.”
The second day of the event will be the most creative moment – under the guidance of experienced coaches, each team will further refine their ideas, from feasibility to market potential, and comprehensively improve the competitiveness of the project. The coaches will not only provide critical feedback, but also help the team prepare for the final presentation.
“One of the most common challenges participants encounter is bringing their ideas to life,” Awosika said. “Often, participants have great concepts but struggle with execution—whether it’s knowing the best way to publicize their ideas or how to make them profitable.”
Awosika emphasized the importance of the event judges, coaches and professors, who assist attendees through the different stages of the program.
“These professors specialize in various fields such as marketing, finance, organization, and human resources, providing guidance on how best to manage and develop their ideas,” she said.
On Sunday, the final day of the event, each team will present their project to the jury. The judges will score the ideas and select the winners based on their innovation, feasibility, contribution to sustainable development, among other criteria.
“This year’s event will offer more prizes, including two new categories: Creative Idea and best presentation,” Schwaller said.
In this year’s FHSU EPI²C Sustainability Challenge, the top three ideas will receive cash prizes:
- 1st Place: $2,500
- 2nd Place: $1,500
- 3rd Place: $500
- Best Presentation: $250
- Most Creative Idea: $250
- Founders Award for Most Improved Team: $500
The primary motivation behind hosting this event every year is seeing the growth and progress that participants achieve. Many participants not only work on their ideas during the event but continue to develop them afterward, even after receiving funding. Watching these individuals bring their ideas to life is incredibly rewarding for the organizers.
“People walk on those ideas,” Awosika said. “They bring their ideas to join these activities to explore their business idea. Even after they’ve gotten the money, people still put in the work and still bring those ideas to life. So seeing people bring those ideas to life makes us happy.”
At last year’s FHSU EPI²C Sustainability Challenge, the American University of Phnom Penh (AUPP) team won first place and $2,500 for their innovative business plan “Watt Wise.” The project helps consumers track their electricity consumption and identify energy waste through an energy audit web application, achieving cost savings and reducing carbon emissions.
Second place, “Watt Spot,” is an off-grid solar charging station that can operate self-sufficiency in remote areas such as parks and campgrounds. Third place “BIA” provides an innovative, cost-effective water filtration system for livestock farming. The Founder Award was awarded to “BargainBite,” which reduces food waste by distributing unused restaurant food through an online platform.
Awosika emphasized the importance of maintaining an open mind throughout the event. The advice is not solely about focusing on money but rather on the value of learning and applying that knowledge in the future.
“So the best advice I have for participants is just come to learn,” she said. “So open their mind and try their best to use their knowledge to join this activity. So you would learn and brush your knowledge.”
Registration is required. REGISTER HERE: https://epi2cchallenge.com/
For more information, please contact: h_schwalleriv@fhsu.edu
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