Past winners
Two competitions in, the people who stood on this stage are running companies with customers, contracts, and users.
Innovation Day, December 5, 2025 — single track, three cash prizes.
December 2025 · First place
Founder
A peer-to-peer network for RV and van travelers to book safe overnight parking on private property. Vanly Pro adds AI trip planning.
Where they are now: 40,000+ users and 3,000 host listings across all 50 states; first place and Audience Choice at 20Fathoms' TCNewTech pitch competition (Feb 2026); named a SmartZone “Company to Watch”.
December 2025 · Second place
Founder, with clinical collaborators
Now BridgeSpace: an emotionally intelligent AI companion, Izzy, that helps kids practice social moments safely — saying hi, handling nerves, making a friend. Built with clinicians.
Where they are now: Launched the BridgeSpace scenario platform and a Hope Network pilot; returned as a GR DeepTech finalist in May 2026.
December 2025 · Third place
Founders, with faculty mentor Dr. Suhila Sawesi
An AI-native platform that lets institutions digitize validated cognitive tests, localize them across languages, deploy them securely, and monitor cognition over time — with EHR integration.
Where they are now: Early-stage pilot users; presented at Web Summit Qatar Alpha; pursuing pre-seed funding.
Finalists
Judges
Innovation Day, April 24, 2026 — two tracks, one winner each.
May 2026 · Winner, Venture Track
Co-founders
AI for law enforcement, inside the CJIS boundary. Reads an agency's records, reports, and device extractions and answers investigators with page-specific citations. Technology licensed through the GVSU Research Corporation.
Where they are now: Signed a $260,000 contract; building with a founding partner agency, a large Michigan sheriff's office.
May 2026 · Winner, Emerging Ideas Track
Co-founders
Smartphone-camera gait analysis, validated against the GAITRite clinical system. The dataset behind it is published on IEEE DataPort.
Where they are now: Continuing validation work at Grand Valley; no external milestones to report yet.
May 2026 · Finalist
Co-founders
A wearable sensor, belt, ballistic ball, and app that digitize movement assessment for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers.
Where they are now: Selling into clinics and training facilities in West Michigan.
Finalists
Judges
Innovation Day, Grand Rapids.