The competition is now closed.
Thank you to all who submitted their ideas. Winners will be announced next month.

nwirc: empowering innovative ideas to strengthen our communities

The competition is now over! Thank you to all the cities that participated and innovators for sharing your ideas.

Winners will be announced in September.

The NW Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) is excited to be a sponsor for the newest Amazon Catalyst Competition for NW Washington, a program aimed at supercharging innovation and encouraging individuals to think big for how to solve real-world problems, and make a positive impact on the world.

We teamed up with 8 cities in NW Washington to discover and reward creative, innovative people to solve community challenges.

This competition is open to any resident who lives in one of the 8 participating cities (see cities and links below).

You can apply to any of the themes (not just your city, you apply to the city whose theme fits your idea). Check eligibility by zip code here.
You can apply more than once.
You can apply to more than one theme.
You can form a team of up to 3 people.
You don’t need to have any business experience, just an idea for how to solve the challenge.
You can submit ideas for products or services.
The ideas are still yours to pursue after the competition.
You can get help from the NWIRC to answer questions.

*Be sure to review all the rules before applying. Once you submit an idea you cannot revoke it, but you can update submissions.

It really is that easy! Apply on the Amazon Catalyst page by July 31st.

Take me to the Amazon Catalyst page! I am ready to apply.

$10,000 in cash prizes amongst the top three ideas in each city

Up to $5000 – 1st Place, $3000 – 2nd Place, $2000 – 3rd Place

Themes and Cities

Each city has chosen a theme unique to their area, click on the links below to learn more about the theme, creative ideas to get you thinking and a link to the application form. If you live in ANY of the eligible zip codes for these cities you can apply to ANY of the themes, you are not limited to applying only to your city’s theme.

Check out all the eligible zip codes here.

Click on the images below to go to the Amazon Catalyst page to apply.

Arlington

Cleantech

Bellingham

Ocean Health

Bothell

Applied Life Sciences

Edmonds

Creative Sector Solutions to Economic Recovery

Everett

Health Care

Lynnwood

Transportation

Marysville

Streamline Manufacturing

Mount Vernon

Food Supply Chain

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

We need new solutions to some of the greatest problems we face and we know from years of experience working with the communities in this region of NW Washington you have great ideas. Healing our communities and rebuilding the economy will take time, the Amazon Catalyst Competition can accelerate that journey by bringing new ideas to the forefront to solve these problems and make our world better.

We’re Here to Help!

We are excited to sponsor this Amazon Catalyst Competition for members of our community and want to help you prepare for applying for the program and beyond. The NWIRC has been a resource to entrepreneurs, innovators and inventors in NW Washington for nearly 10 years.

Here is how we can help:

Attend our Innovation Insights talks to get inspired by experts.
Book a one on one session to answer questions about your submission.
Read articles on the themes to find inspiration for your ideas.

See links to more information about all of these below.

Innovation Insights – Conversations with Experts on Innovation in the themes.

Over the next two months, we will be hosting a series of conversations with Subject Matter Experts in the various themes as well as innovation and entrepreneurship. These conversations are designed to spark your creativity and inspire your innovative thinking so you can dream big about your big idea and the impact it can have on the world.

Check back often as registration opens for different talks. They will all be hosted online. There will be time for Q&A at the end of each.

All talks run from 12-1pm unless otherwise noted.

June 16, 2020 – The role of Adaptive Technology in innovation across industries. Jodie Ryan, Sr. Manager of Threat Operations at Verizon Media. Missed the event – no problem! It’s on YouTube – click here to watch.

June 18, 2020 – How Maritime innovations will help the economic recovery. Last minute update: Chris Meinig of NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Lab. Missed the event – no problem! It’s on YouTube – click here to watch.

June 23, 2020 – Innovations for keeping the oceans healthy for the next 10 years and beyond. Dylan Vecchione, ReefQuest Founder. Missed the event – no problem! It’s on YouTube – click here to watch.

June 30, 2020 – Cleantech Innovation Trends. Eric Berman, E8 President & Co-chair Board of Directors. Missed the event – No problem! It’s on YouTube – click here to watch.

July 7, 2020 – Consumer Behavior Trends and the impact on food supply chains. Kristina Kulik, Former Head of Launch Marketing for Amazon Go. Missed the event – No problem! It’s on YouTube – click here to watch.

July 14, 2020 – Innovation opportunities the future presents for businesses – Mark Rubel, entrepreneur, investor and innovator. Formerly of GE Ventures, Ericsson and Intellectual Ventures. Missed the event – no problem! It’s on YouTube -click here to watch.

July 21, 2020 – Healthcare/Applied Life Science – Caitlan Cameron of Otonexus – a medical device startup. Missed the event – no problem! It’s on YouTube-click here to watch.

You've got Questions? We have answers! Book a One-on-One session today.

Most of your questions can be answered by reading the rules. We strongly encourage you to read the rules on the Amazon Catalyst Competition website in detail. However, we want to make sure your questions get answered! Book a one-on-one session with NWIRC before you apply!

Schedule Now

Innovation Inspiration and Ideas

Why the Amazon Catalyst Competition?

Jun 18, 2020

I made a video this week to share with you more about the Amazon Catalyst Competition, why we are doing and some of the things you may not know about how easy it can be to apply!

How do I know if my product idea is good?

Jun 11, 2020

It is likely that 1/3 of you reading this have had an idea for a product at some point in time. Perhaps it was a simple solution for one of life’s little nuisances or a life saving device, either way you know your idea was designed to make lives better. However,...

Common mistakes Inventors make that can sink the potential of your idea fast.

May 27, 2020

To give yourself and your amazing idea the best chance for success it’s important to avoid these mistaken mindsets and failure points that can turn your journey into a short one! 3 common mistaken inventor mindsets It’s a million dollar idea Often the first people we...

Additional Information and Resources

Below you will find additional resources and information for each city and their theme. You’ll find information about eligible zip codes for each city. Any resident of any of these zip codes can apply to any of the themes, you are not limited to applying only to your cities theme. You can also apply more than once, but you can only win once for each theme. You will also find links to articles to inspire your creativity. We also have provided another link the Amazon Catalyst competition webpages for reading the rules, including eligibility for individuals and teams who want to apply.