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#CatalyzeKlamath 2022 was a success! Perhaps the most important part of being a student is developing an ability to problem-solve, and these students were in no shortage of creativity! Catalyze Klamath aims to support business ideas and/or fledgling entrepreneurial activity from any field of study that produces a new idea, product or service that could become a thriving business in Klamath Falls, and has the potential for job growth in rural Oregon. Students pitched their concepts in front of a panel of judges (not unlike the TV show Shark Tank) and $15,000 worth of total grant money was awarded, with the top winners being eligible to compete in a state-wide competition as well. Ideas included: • Building eco-friendly particleboard from Hemp in order to reduce formaldehyde gas emissions (how insanely cool is that?) • Bringing more food trucks to a designated area downtown • mobile health units to bring medical care to those typically out of range of hospitals • A wristband that converts solar energy to electrical energy to charge devices • A Dungeons and Dragons player handbook • Merchandise based on consumers’ favorite hiking trails • And even a fully autonomous mortar system to drop into wildfires and spray a biodegradable retardant. Mind blowing. Congratulations to everyone who participated for working to make our community a better place! . . . . #Klamathfalls #oregontech #oregoninstituteoftechnology #futureentrepreneurs #goowls #hustlinowls #sharktank