AKRON — Goodyear, in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University, is inviting college and graduate students to "design the future" as part of its fifth annual Innovation Challenge.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's Innovation Challenge will be conducted virtually, Goodyear said. The theme for the 2021 challenge is the mobility ecosystem and "repositioning for the new normal."
Students can practice innovation skills in a real-world context and receive valuable mentoring and interaction with Goodyear innovation leaders, Goodyear said. Students must submit proposals in response to the Challenge brief by Feb. 1, 2021.
The top five teams will be invited to a four-day virtual hackathon beginning Feb. 22, culminating in virtual pitches to Goodyear leaders and an awards program on March 3.
The competition includes cash prizes valued at $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Goodyear also will interview participating students for a possible internship position next summer.
"The Goodyear Innovation Challenge gives students an opportunity to show their talent and ideas, and we are consistently amazed at the passion and innovation they show," John Brainerd, Goodyear manager, Innovation Lab, said.