Mako Invent Hosts First Annual Mako Ryerson Student Invention Award

Online, March 19, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Mako Invent and Ryerson University, partnering with Samsung and RBC

Royal Bank, are hosting the first annual Mako Ryerson Student Invention Award on April 11, 2014. This exciting event will give Ryerson University students the chance to show off their inventions to such industry giants as Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Winners can get the opportunity to turn their invention into a profitable business, as well as compete for over $10,000 in cash, prizes, and in-kind services.

On April 11, 2014, Ryerson University students will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase their original inventions to consumer industry leaders in the first annual Mako Ryerson Student Invention Award. Are you a Mako University student with a new idea that's cool, fun, useful, or even world-changing? Now is your chance to show your idea to buyers and investors from Wal-Mart, Home Depot,

Canadian Tire, and many more, at an event that may give you the chance to turn your dream into a lucrative business.

Big-name industries are always on the lookout for the next hot consumer product. Ryerson University students with a great idea are invited to attend this exciting event for the opportunity to turn their inventions into products for the national market, as well as compete for over $10,000 in prizes, cash, and in-kind services. Current Ryerson students wishing to enter must have a physical mock-up prototype of their invention ready by the competition date; the product must be something big-box retail stores would be able to sell, and theoretically be able to design and develop for under $20,000.

Contest winners will be decided, in part, by the invention's potential profitability, market adoption and size, supply chain simplicity, and social impact. Participants are guaranteed confidentiality and the full rights to their own products. Along with awards for the top three overall inventions, additional winners will be chosen in the following categories:

• Consumer Electronics

• Houseware and Office Supplies

• Furniture

• Fashion Invention

• Lighting and Spatial

• Medical and Health

• Other Inventions

Participants will be able to present their inventions live at the Digital Media Zone on the afternoon of the event, with their own table for a booth-style presentation. Each presenter will be allowed to set up additional items to help showcase their inventions, such as presentation boards, demo materials, posters, business plans, and electronic media. Ryerson faculty, retail buyers, and the judging panel will visit each booth to talk to presenters about their creations, so plan to impress!

For more information or to apply confidentially as a presenter, visit www.makoinvent.com/ryersonaward. Application deadline is March 26, 2014. For press, sponsorship, or partnership inquiries,

email [email protected].