Paradigm Robotics of the University of Texas at Austin Wins the 2024 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge

Over $75,000 in prizes awarded to social startup ventures over the weekend

The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge was held last Saturday at the University of San Diego. The showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship brings student participants from universities all over the world, with teams representing 12 countries and 40 universities at the competition this year. The event highlighted the importance of a “purpose-driven economy,” and ventures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as explained by the event’s host, Andrew Biros, EdD. The emphasis on the need for investment towards student social innovators to achieve their goals is necessary to achieve our most pressing challenges. 

"We will not have the social and environmental innovations our society desperately needs, unless we invest in social innovators," Biros said. "USD has been a trailblazer toward this aim, with an ethos of innovation and entrepreneurship where ideas are discussed openly among a vibrant intellectual community. The Fowler GSIC is a fundamental example of how higher education institutions can collaborate and catalyze solutions our world deserves."

Paradigms Robotics presenting at the 2024 Fowler Global Social Innovation Finals

The winning team, Paradigm Robotics from the University of Texas at Austin, captured the audience and judge’s attention with their innovative fire search and rescue robot that aims to reduce the risk of death or injury for firefighters battling structural fires. The project earned them the grand prize of $25,000 in seed venture funding.

FireBot, the Paradigms Robotics robot

Since its inception in 2011, the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge has been a pivotal event at the University of San Diego, starting as a local contest for USD students and expanding into a global pitch contest in 2018. It has connected over 3,000 students and distributed more than $750,000 in seed funding to kickstart the most innovative ventures.

Organized in partnership between the University of San Diego and the University of St. Thomas, this event reflects USD’s ethos of fostering an environment where ideas are discussed openly among a vibrant intellectual community. As we reflect on the success of this year's event, we are reminded of the importance of collaboration among higher education institutions in catalyzing solutions for a better world. The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge stands as a testament to the transformative potential of ideas and the imperative of investing in those who dare to innovate for social good.