Skip to content Skip to main menu
WhartonLogo for The Wharton School
  • Faculty
  • Youth Program
  • Undergrad
  • MBA
  • EMBA
  • PhD
  • Exec Ed
  • Wharton Online
  • Alumni
  • Knowledge at Wharton
Search Wharton
Mack Institute for Innovation Management
Mack Institute for Innovation Management
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Our Team
    • About William and Phyllis Mack
    • Our Story
    • Contact Us
  • Research
    • Research Papers
    • Research Priorities
    • White Papers
    • Books
    • Research Opportunities
    • Program on Vehicle and Mobility Innovation
    • Corporate Venturing Report
  • Practice
    • Innovation Conversations
    • Autonomous Vehicle For Electric Vehicles
    • Robotics for Healthcare
    • Mapping Innovation At Penn
  • Events and Programs
    • Wharton Technology and Innovation Conference
    • Corporate Strategy and Innovation Conference
    • Spring and Fall Conferences
    • Penn Wharton Commercialization Workshop
  • Corporate Partners
    • About Corporate Partnership
    • Become a Partner
    • Collaborative Innovation Program
  • Students
    • Collaborative Innovation Program
      • CIP Projects Spring 2025
    • Club & Group Sponsorship
    • Y-Prize Competition
    • Wharton Innovation Doctoral Symposium
      • Mack Innovation Doctoral Association
  • News
    • Subscribe to Updates

Y-Prize

Introducing the 2016-2017 Y-Prize Finalists

Y-Prize logo

The finalists in this year’s Y-Prize Competition have proposed ideas that would improve greenhouses, expedite heat removal in electronics, block sun from cars windows, and even defend against glaucoma.…Read More

December 1, 2016   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize Avisi Technologies, nanotechnology, Y-Prize

2016 Y-Prize Winner is Fermento!

A small group of people in formal attire standing in front of a blue screen displaying "Y-Prize 2015-". They appear to be at an event or award ceremony.

The winner of the 2015-2016 Y-Prize competition is Fermento for their idea to use Penn-developed microfluidics technology to improve the production process of beer.…Read More

January 26, 2016   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Introducing the 2015-2016 Y-Prize Finalists

Y-Prize Competition

The finalists in this year’s Y-Prize Competition have proposed ideas that would bring drug manufacturing right to the patient’s bedside, accelerate the production process of beer, and take the needle out of vaccine delivery.…Read More

December 7, 2015   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Y-Prize Competitors Making News

A headshot of two people in suits smiling, standing together in front of a blue and white background.

Recent Y-Prize winners and finalists have used the competition as a launching pad to pursue even bigger and better opportunities.…Read More

April 30, 2015   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize Y-Prize

Announcing the 2014-2015 Y-Prize Winners

Y-Prize Winners

The Mack Institute is thrilled to announce the winners in our third annual Y-Prize Competition.…Read More

January 29, 2015   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize Y-Prize

Introducing the 2014-2015 Y-Prize Finalists

Y-Prize Competition

The Y-Prize is a competition in which student teams propose innovative commercial applications for technology invented by University of Pennsylvania researchers.We are thrilled to introduce the finalists in the 2014-2015 Competition.…Read More

December 1, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize Y-Prize

Y-Prize Competitors Throw Their Hats in the Ring

A group of people are standing together, engaged in conversation while holding plates of food. They appear to be at a social or networking event, possibly during a meal break. The setting is informal, with individuals interacting casually.

While much of the country was staying up late on the first Tuesday in November to watch election results roll in, for Mack Institute staffers the night after was the real nail-biter. This was the deadline for entries in the Y-Prize, and our anticipation was well rewarded.…Read More

November 7, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize innovation tournaments

Collaborative Energy at the Y-Prize Kick-Off

A small group of young people, each wearing backpacks and holding snacks and drinks, are engaged in conversation in a casual indoor setting with a warm yellow background.

The Y-Prize Competition asks students to take a fresh approach to the challenge of inventing new applications for Penn research. At last week’s Kick-Off, students from diverse corners of the Penn community gathered in the Singh Center for Nanotechnology.…Read More

September 29, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Press Coverage, Y-Prize Y-Prize

Y-Prize Competition Kick-Off

Close-up of a pair of colorful microscope eyepieces with reflections, representing scientific research or innovation.

The Mack Institute is proud to announce the opening of the third annual Y-Prize competition.…Read More

September 17, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize Y-Prize

Perspectives on the Y-Prize: Grand Prize Winner Emily Plumb

A group of professionals in business attire at an event, where one person is holding an award and another is shaking hands, with a banner in the background.

“She was so passionate about the her goal—utilizing TRHex to get students interested in STEM subjects. Her enthusiasm was infectious! She utilized an existing technology in a creative way, and she did a great job of communicating her idea and bringing the business to life.” That’s how Michelle Proctor—Director of Innovation…Read More

May 12, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Perspectives on the Y-Prize: Consultants Gavin Kenneally and Isabelle Park

A couple of people smiling, one wearing glasses. Both are indoors against a plain brown background.

A key goal of the Y-Prize Competition is to foster collaboration between various schools at Penn. Isabelle Park, an MBA candidate at the Wharton School, and Gavin Kenneally, a Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, describe the joys and challenges of working on a cross-disciplinary team. What role did you play in shaping…Read More

May 12, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Perspectives on the Y-Prize: Head Judge Tom Fitzsimons

A smiling woman and a man with a beard standing against a wooden wall. Both are wearing business attire, suggesting a formal or professional setting.

The Y-Prize Competition is all about sparking innovation at Penn. Tom Fitzsimons, CEO of Kerathin LLC, discusses why the competition is unique and what made this year’s prizewinning idea stand out. What makes the Y-Prize competition interesting to you? The goal of the Y-Prize competition is to get a different perspective…Read More

May 12, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Congratulations to the Y-Prize Winner!

A small group of people smiling next to an award on a table. The backdrop features text indicating a Y Prize competition and mentions a grand prize winner. Logos hint at an association with the University of Pennsylvania.

The Mack Institute is thrilled to announce Emily Plumb, a Mechanical Engineering Masters student in the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), as the winner of the 2013-2014 Y-Prize Competition. Emily is a passionate advocate of STEM education for young children, and her enthusiasm showed clearly throughout her presentation at…Read More

May 12, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Introducing: The 2013-2014 Y-Prize Finalists

A small, four-legged robotic device with a sleek, carbon fiber body and mechanical limbs, resembling a quadruped robot.

The first round of the 2013-2014 Y-Prize saw a wide range of inventive submissions from student teams across the university. Now, four finalist teams are hard at work (with assistance from their GRASP Lab tech consultants and Wharton business consultants) to perfect their ideas for commercializing Penn robotics technology. As a testament to the…Read More

May 12, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Developing a Commercial Exoskeleton, Starting with the Team

A person wearing a robotic exoskeleton arm lifting a dumbbell in a gym, standing in front of a rack of weights. The setting features gym equipment and mirrors.

The Mack Institute is excited to host the Y-Prize Spring Kick-off on Monday, January 27 at 6:00 P.M. in Huntsman Hall 340. Attendees will hear from keynote speakers Elizabeth Beattie and Nick McGill, two members of the team that created the Titan Arm—an upper-body exoskeleton that increases the wearer’s ability…Read More

January 21, 2014   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

2012 Y-Prize Winner Dick Zhang on His Competition Experience

A group of three people in formal attire holding awards, standing beside a table with more awards and a banner displaying the University of Pennsylvania logo.

Penn Engineering undergrad Dick Zhang is one of three members of IDENTIFIED, the 2012 winning team of the Y-Prize competition. In this guest blog post, he shares insight about his Y-Prize competition experience.  Some innovations seem to materialize out of nowhere. But in the pursuit of innovation, sometimes all you have to…Read More

October 2, 2013   |   Mack Institute News, Student Post, Y-Prize

Inaugural Y-Prize Grand Finale

Y-Prize Competition

The Y-Prize Competition Grand Finale, which took place Monday, February 4, saw the judging of the final four teams, whose challenge it was to suggest practical applications of robotic technology developed in the GRASP Lab at Penn.…Read More

February 6, 2013   |   Mack Institute News, Student Post, Y-Prize Andy Wu, Kelsey Ducombe Smith, Richard Zhang

Wharton and Engineering School collaborate on Y-Prize

What would it look like if Wharton and engineering students came together to innovate new applications for Penn Technology? It would look a lot like the Y-Prize Competition, co-sponsored by the Mack Center. The Y-Prize is a chance for a team or individual with the strongest idea to win $5000…Read More

September 25, 2012   |   Mack Institute News, Y-Prize

Posts navigation

Newer posts →
  • Mack Talks
  • Subscribe to Updates
Back To Top
Additional Links
    Mack Institute for Innovation Management
    • Home
    • About
    • Research
    • Practice
    • Events and Programs
    • Corporate Partners
    • Students
    • News
    Featured Links
    • Search our Research Database
    • Mack Talks
    • Navigating Digital Disruption: How to Thrive Through Innovation Management
  • Programs
  • Undergraduate
  • MBA
  • EMBA
  • Doctorate
  • Executive Education
  • Wharton Online
  • Locations
  • Philadelphia
  • San Francisco
  • Beijing
  • The Power of Wharton
  • Global Influence
  • Analytics
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation
  • Featured
  • Give to Wharton
  • Alumni
  • Knowledge@Wharton
  • Recruiters & Corporations
  • Wharton
  • Faculty
  • About Us
  • Research Centers
  • Departments
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Faculty & Staff
The University of Pennsylvania
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
Support Wharton
©2025 The Wharton School,  The University of Pennsylvania  |  Mack Institute for Innovation Management  |  Privacy Policy  |  Report Accessibility Issues and Get Help