IT grad wins state's innovation prize

Institute of Technology's graduates continue to impact Minnesota's economy as shown during the second annual Minnesota Cup competition held in September. Troy Achterkirch (ME '94) is the manufacturing director for Vast Enterprises, which won the top award for the competition that seeks out Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas. Eden Prarie-based Vast Enterprises developed a composite paver brick system made of 99 percent recycled materials, an economically and socially responsible alternative to traditional paver bricks. The company won $25,000 in seed capital and business support services.

Electrical engineering student Patrick Delaney and teammates were finalists in the student division for their social-entrepreneurial venture to make affordable solar laterns for people around the world.

Last year's winners John Berger (ME '84, MBA '93) and David Emmons (ME '84) invented Arcswitch, a new low-cost optical switch and attenautor for rerouting information carried on fiber-optic networks. More...