Social Innovation and Commercialization (SIAC)
Knowledge through Real-World Experience
We don’t just help students find ideas to solve social problems; we engage nonprofits to create commercially viable solutions. We start the process with creative problem-solving activities to identify products to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
We then assemble multidisciplinary teams by recruiting OSU students, faculty, and industry professionals with the specific skills necessary to design, prototype and validate these products.
This unique social innovation model provides students with an authentic learning experience while creating a double bottom line for our non-profit partners; (1) products to increase the independence of people with disabilities and (2) income resulting from the commercialization of products. The Social Venture Fund within the Tony R. Wells Foundation and the College of Engineering co-financed this innovative program.
OSU places 3rd in National "Idea to Pitch" Social Entrepreneurship Competition.
"Advancing the independence of children with Down Syndrome" was the driving purpose of the team in designing a new revolutionary time management device called the Linear Clock.
The device was co-created with the parents, staff and volunteers from the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio and will available in the market in 2011. Read more about the specific need and solution under Current Projects below.
Team Product Concept Overview in PDF
Team members and co-inventors include:
College of Engineering Fisher College of Business College of Medicine College of Arts
Alex Hegedus Cecelia Shiroma Elise Dew Krista Alley
Kyle Johnson Carie Weisbecker
Katie Whitehouse
Kristen Cornelius
Help Sponsor the next Winning Team !! 
Current Projects
Easter Seals of Central Ohio (Compression Vest)
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio (Programmable Exercise Equipment)
Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (Linear Clock)
Join a Team
To join a team email Dr. Peter Rogers
