Santa Clara University School of Engineering
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
The Nike+ Digital Sports Product Concept Challenge
Grand Prizes of $1,000, $2,000, and more!
The Nike+ “digital sport” initiative has included innovative products such as the Hyperdunk+ shoe sensing system, the Fuelband bracelet, and the Kinect training system. Nike is now
interested in seeing how the Nike+ Sport shoe sensing technology (embedded accelerometers and pressure sensors with iPhone integration) can be re-envisioned/re-applied as the basis of new sport-related products/services. In exploring this idea, Nike and SCU are offering an opportunity for student teams to find ways to exploit this core Nike technology with a specific emphasis on identifying new market segments, developing a deep understanding of customers in these markets, interactively engaging these customers in an iterative concept exploration process, developing an appropriate ecosystem and business model for their concepts, and articulating their concepts to Nike personnel.
There are two ways for SCU students to participate in this activity.
The Storyboard Competition: The first option for participation is through a “storyboard
competition” in which teams will develop and “pitch” an athletic-related product/service concept that exploits Nike+ Sport sensors, resulting in a student-produced video that will present the product/service concept in a simulated or storyboarded manner; no functional prototype is required. Videos will be posted on YouTube, with teams sending competition organizers a link to their video no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 17. A grand prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the top video, as judged by SCU and industry reviewers, to include personnel from Nike. Top entrants will also be entered in a multi-university storyboard competition with the same objectives as part of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network. Top teams of that competition may have the opportunity to present their work directly to Nike product developers (either virtually through a teleconferencing connection, or live) as part of the final judging round for that competition; details on this multi-university opportunity will be released later in the academic year.
The Prototyping Competition: The second option for participation involves a hardware/software prototyping activity in which students will develop functional prototypes of their concept for an athletic-related product/service that exploits Nike+ Sport sensors. Teams will be provided with Nike sensor suites to support this activity, and references/tools will be made available to these
teams to assist them in making use of the sensing systems. Teams will produce a video that presents their product/service concept and which showcases the functionality of their
prototype(s); a report and periodic deliverables throughout the year will also be required. Videos will be posted on YouTube, with teams sending competition organizers a link to their video on or about March 2, 2014 (details to be provided at a later date). A grand prize of $2,000 will be awarded to the top video, as judged by SCU and industry reviewers, to include personnel from Nike. Top entrants will also be entered in a multi-university prototyping competition with the same objectives as part of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network. Top teams of that competition may have the opportunity to present their work directly to Nike product developers (either virtually through a teleconferencing connection, or live) as part of the final judging round for that competition; details on this multi-university opportunity will be released later in the academic year.
Competition Objectives: In both versions of this competition, Nike’s primary interest is in conducting a product opportunity exercise that identifies and assesses the relevance of their sensing technology for new athletics-related markets. In particular, precise identification of the targeted customer segment and an articulation of the value proposition are of great interest;
furthermore, validation of these claims through customer interaction and development will be a critical element of the judging criteria. Student teams choosing to participate in the
prototyping version of the competition are warned not to get lost in the technology! Functional prototypes (and models/prototypes short of full functionality) should be considered to be a means to validating the product concept with the intended customer.
The Nike+ Sport Sensor Suite: The specific sensor suite that is the subject of this competition includes 2 pucks (each containing a 3-axis accelerometer) and 2 in-shoe pressure pads (insole-shaped flexible electronics each consisting of 4 pressure sensors and a fixture to hold a puck – this fixture electrically connects the pressure sensors to the puck, which multiplexes the
information from all sensors and transmits it). Also included is a receiver module to plug into an iPhone or iPad; however, this module will not be used for this competition since the native system being provided now operates using Bluetooth to communicate between the pucks and approved iPhone/iPod/iPad devices. Finally, there is a USB dongle that allows the pucks to be charged, updated with new firmware, etc. There is also software for wirelessly receiving and displaying sensor information (given the version of the products/services that Nike already offers); this software runs only on iOS 5 and 6 (operation on iOS 7 is untested; teams may attempt this but no guarantee of operation is provided) and is compliant only with the iPhone 4s/5c/5s, the iPod Touch 5th generation and later, and the iPad 3rd generation and later. This collection of equipment is typical for use with a standard pair of shoes (although we
acknowledge that teams may completely rearrange how these sensors are used, whether or not they are installed in shoes, what the software is, etc.). For teams entering the prototyping competition, we note that an iOS developer’s license (~$99/yr, although many universities may already have this license) and a MacOS-based computer are required for iOS-based app
development; we also note that if students hack the sensor interface with a microcontroller, it may be possible for teams to integrate the sensors (in a wired or wireless manner) with non-iOS devices/computers.
Puck kit: 2 pucks, USB dongle, and receiver module. In-shoe pressure pads: 2 insole-like pads
General Competition Rules and Guidelines: Detailed rules and procedures for each version of the competition are attached to this announcement. There are several general rules and
guidelines to which all participants must agree.
• Teams must consist of 2-8 students. At least 50% of any team must consist of
undergraduate engineers. Students may only participate on a single team. Note that, for the storyboard competition, SCU will be requiring that teams include at least 1 non-engineering undergraduate student as a means of encouraging cross-school collaboration with students from business, communications, the arts, etc.
• Only currently enrolled students may participate.
• Student participation may be entirely extracurricular, or it may be incorporated as part of
a club or course activity as deemed appropriate by the faculty lead for such activities.
• A minimum number of teams may be required in order to conduct this competition and
award prize money.
• Depending on student status and award amounts per student, cash prizes may be subject
to tax withholding and may be paid via a university check.
• Students will properly acknowledge the use of any existing copyrighted material or media
within their entry.
• Participating students must agree to participate in one or more brief surveys as part of an
educational assessment of learning outcomes associated with this competition.
• Publicity of this activity outside of internal university publications (e.g.,
department/school newsletters, campus newspaper, etc.) will require approval by Nike.
• The Nike logo may only be used with explicit permission by Nike.
• Prototyping teams will be provided with sensor suites to meet their prototyping needs,
and additional reference units will be made available to teams participating in the storyboard competition. These sensors MAY NOT BE RESOLD, and any unused sensors shall be returned to SCU.
• When showcasing the use of the Nike+ Sport sensors, teams shall use Nike-branded
brands or in any way feature brands that directly compete with Nike (integration with Converse and Hurley is permitted).
• Nike-provided software tools, programs, SDKs, and APIs provided to participating teams
may NOT be shared or distributed to people outside of those participating in this activity.
• As with product development in the real world, elements of this competition may change
over time. Participants must accept the condition that minor changes, additions, and/or clarifications to the rules may be made over time as necessary. Teams will be updated regarding all such changes; teams should refer often to the competition web site at
innovate.engr.scu.edu for any news or updates regarding the contest, rules, advice and answers to questions.
• Teams agree to abide by the decision of the judging panel and competition administrators
regarding competition rules, results, and any approved changes/exceptions.
Intellectual Property: Ownership of the pre-existing underlying intellectual property of the entry remains the property of the team entering the contest, subject to Santa Clara University’s and Nike's rights to reprint, display, reproduce, perform, use, and exhibit the entries and designs for this event and for Santa Clara University’s and Nike's future marketing and advertising purposes and events. By participating in the contest, each entrant grants to Santa Clara University and to Nike a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid, royalty-free, perpetual,
transferable license to reprint, display, reproduce, perform, use, and exhibit (including the right to make derivative works of) the entry and materials and information submitted on and in connection with the contest. Each entrant warrants that the entry and materials and information provided do not contain confidential information and do not violate any laws or regulations. Each entrant agrees not to reverse engineer the Nike donated equipment nor disclose any Nike intellectual property provided to them as part of this competition, including APIs (application programming interface) or software that directly interfaces with the Nike+ SDK (software development kit).
RELEASE/LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: EACH ENTRANT AGREES TO HOLD THE
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY AND NIKE HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIM ARISING FROM USE OF THE ENTRY. SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY AND NIKE, AND EACH OF THEM, ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST, LATE, DAMAGED, MISDIRECTED, ILLEGIBLE, INCOMPLETE, OR
MUTILATED ENTRIES, OR FOR ANY COMPUTER, ONLINE, TELEPHONE OR TECHNICAL MALFUNCTIONS, DELAYS OR HUMAN ERRORS THAT OCCUR IN THE PROCESSING, TRANSMISSION OR RECEIPT OF ENTRIES, OR FOR INACCURATE TRANSCRIPTION OF ENTRY INFORMATION, OR FOR ENTRIES THAT ARE STOLEN, MISDIRECTED, GARBLED, LOST OR DELAYED BY
COMPUTER TRANSMISSIONS, OR IF FOR ANY REASON, THE CONTEST IS NOT CAPABLE OF BEING CONDUCTED AS PLANNED, SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY AND NIKE RESERVE THE RIGHT AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION TO CANCEL, TERMINATE, MODIFY OR SUSPEND THE CONTEST.
For more information, questions or comments, contact: Dr. Christopher Kitts, ckitts @ scu.edu To enter a team and submit a final design, contact: Anne Mahacek, amahacek @ scu.edu For competition information and updates, see: http://innovate.engr.scu.edu
This contest is being conducted with support from the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network and the Santa Clara University School of Engineering.
Santa Clara University School of Engineering
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
The Nike+ Digital Sports Product Concept Challenge
Storyboard Competition
Grand Prize of $1,000
For the “storyboard competition,” teams are challenged to develop and “pitch” an athletic-related product/service concept that exploits Nike+ Sport sensors, resulting in a student-produced video that will present the product/service concept in a simulated or storyboarded manner; no
functional prototype is required. Teams are reminded that Nike’s primary interest is in conducting a product opportunity exercise that identifies and assesses the relevance of their sensing technology for new athletics-related markets. In particular, precise identification of the targeted customer segment and an articulation of the value proposition are of great interest;
furthermore, validation of these claims through customer interaction and development will be a critical element of the judging criteria.
Teams are to develop and effectively communicate their product/service concept in the form of a 90 second YouTube video (not including time to display a required disclaimer). From a judging perspective, the video is expected to identify the targeted customers and their needs/pains, articulate the value proposition, introduce the product/service concept, showcase how the Nike sensing technology is exploited, summarize critical elements of the business model (which might include topics such as cost/price, if the product/service is sold/leased/subscribed to, etc.) and review how this concept has been validated with target customers. The concept must make use of at least some subset of the targeted Nike sensor suite; additional sensors and technical components/equipment may also be used as part of the product architecture. A functional prototype is not expected as part of this competition; however, teams are encouraged to show how the product/service would function and/or be used via storyboards, simulations of use, etc. Sensor suites are available for the teams to use to gain familiarity with the product as currently offered and to also feature in their videos; sensor suites are not to be altered or hacked in any way and must be returned at the conclusion of the competition.
To enter, teams must e-mail program coordinators no later than Friday, November 1 at 5 pm. A minimum of 5 teams must register by the deadline in order for the competition to continue.
Videos must be posted on YouTube, with teams sending competition organizers a link to their video no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 17. A grand prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the top video, as judged by SCU and industry reviewers, to include personnel from Nike. We currently plan to award the grand prize (and possible Honorable Mention prizes) at an industry mentoring reception to be held during the week of November 18 (details to be announced).
Top entrants may also be entered in a multi-university storyboard competition with the same objectives as part of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network. Top teams of that
competition may have the opportunity to present their work directly to Nike product developers (either virtually through a teleconferencing connection, or live) as part of the final judging round for that competition; details on this multi-university opportunity will be released later in the academic year.
By entering, all participating students agree to abide by all competition rules and guidelines.
To get started:
1. A lead student for each team must formally enter the team by sending an e-mail to Anne Mahacek at amahacek @ scu.edu. The e-mail must be received prior to 5 pm on Friday November 1, 2013. The e-mail should include the following information for all team members: name, student ID number, e-mail address, major, undergraduate/graduate student status, expected year of graduation. The e-mail should also include the statement “All team members have read and agree to abide by all competition rules and guidelines.” 2. Once registered, the lead student can coordinate with Anne Mahacek in order to borrow
one or more Nike+ Sport Sensor suites for use in developing their concept. This equipment must be returned at the end of the competition.
3. Videos must start and end with the following message that displays for at least 10
seconds at the start and end of the video (this time does not count as part of the maximum 90 second video length): “This video has been produced as part of an academic activity at Santa Clara University. It does not express the official views or policies of Nike, of Santa Clara University, of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network, or of any other company, agency or organization."
4. Videos must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday November 17, 2013. Videos should be posted on YouTube and a link to the video must be sent to Anne Mahacek by the deadline.
5. Teams should refer often to the innovate.engr.scu.edu web site for updates,
clarifications, etc. regarding the status of the competition. Questions may be addressed to Anne Mahacek.
Santa Clara University School of Engineering
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
The Nike+ Digital Sports Product Concept Challenge
Prototyping Competition
Grand Prize of $2,000
For the “prototyping competition,” teams are challenged to develop and “pitch” an athletic-related product/service concept that exploits Nike+ Sport sensors, resulting in a student-produced video that will present the product/service concept, to include some level of prototyped
functionality using real Nike+ Sport sensor technology. Teams are reminded that Nike’s primary interest is in conducting a product opportunity exercise that identifies and assesses the relevance of their sensing technology for new athletics-related markets. In particular, precise
identification of the targeted customer segment and an articulation of the value proposition are of great interest; furthermore, validation of these claims through customer interaction and development will be a critical element of the judging criteria. Teams are specifically warned not to get lost in the technology! Functional prototypes (and models/prototypes short of full functionality) should be considered to communicate the concept and to validate the product concept with the intended customer.
Teams are to develop and effectively communicate their product/service concept in the form of a 2-minute YouTube video (not including time to display a required disclaimer); an additional 1-minute YouTube video may be included to specifically document the engineering work
underlying the functional prototype. From a judging perspective, the primary 2-minute video is expected to identify the targeted customers and their needs/pains, articulate the value
proposition, introduce the product/service concept, showcase how the Nike sensing technology is exploited, highlight technical functionality demonstrated via the functional prototype, summarize critical elements of the business model (which might include topics such as cost/price, if the product/service is sold/leased/subscribed to, etc.), and review how this concept has been validated with target customers. The concept must make use of at least some subset of the targeted Nike sensor suite; additional sensors and technical components/equipment may also be used as part of the product architecture. An appropriate number of sensor suites will be provided to each team to support their prototyping activity. It is expected that these sensors will be put
into heavy use such that they may not be in any condition to be returned at the conclusion of the competition; unused suites, however, should be returned to SCU.
To enter, teams must e-mail program coordinators no later than Friday, November 22 at 5 pm. A minimum of 3 teams must register by the deadline in order for the competition to continue.
Videos must be posted on YouTube, with teams sending competition organizers a link to their video on or about March 2, 2014 (details to be provided at a later date). A grand prize of $2,000 will be awarded to the top video, as judged by SCU and industry reviewers, to include personnel from Nike. We currently plan to award the grand prize (and possible Honorable Mention prizes) at an industry mentoring reception to be held during the Spring quarter (details to be announced).
Top entrants may also be entered in a multi-university prototyping competition with the same objectives as part of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network. Top teams of that
competition may have the opportunity to present their work directly to Nike product developers (either virtually through a teleconferencing connection, or live) as part of the final judging round for that competition; details on this multi-university opportunity will be released later in the academic year.
By entering, all participating students agree to abide by all competition rules and guidelines.
To get started:
1. A lead student for each team must formally enter the team by sending an e-mail to Anne Mahacek at amahacek @ scu.edu. The e-mail must be received prior to 5 pm on Friday November 22, 2013. The e-mail should include the following information for all team members: name, student ID number, e-mail address, major, undergraduate/graduate student status, expected year of graduation. The e-mail should also include the statement “All team members have read and agree to abide by all competition rules and guidelines.” The e-mail must also include a 1-paragraph description of the initial product/service concept; this will be used by organizers that the concept is athletic-related and appropriate for Nike.
2. Once registered, the lead student can coordinate with Anne Mahacek in order to determine the number and sizes of Nike+ Sport Sensor suites to be acquired for use in developing and prototyping their concept. Unused sensors suites must be returned at the end of the competition. Students may also be given access to the Nike+ Sport SDK and other references to help them get started in using the sensors and integrating them with iOS apps (if they choose to pursue an iOS-based app for their product concept). Prior to receiving such access, all students on the team will be required to sign a Nike statement affirming their understanding of the IP policy, to include agreeing not to reverse engineer the Nike donated equipment nor to disclose any Nike intellectual property provided to them as part of this competition, including APIs (application programming interface) or software that directly interfaces with the Nike+ SDK (software development kit).
3. Videos must start and end with the following message that displays for at least 10
seconds at the start and end of the video (this time does not count as part of the maximum 2 minute video length): “This video has been produced as part of an academic activity
at Santa Clara University. It does not express the official views or policies of Nike, of Santa Clara University, of the Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network, or of any other company, agency or organization."
4. Videos must be submitted no later than the competition, which is expected to be on or about March 2, 2014 (details on exact deadline timing will be posted on the competition web site). Videos should be posted on YouTube and a link to the video must be sent to the competition point of contact listed on the competition web site (Anne Mahacek may no longer be involved with the competition at that time) by the deadline.
5. Teams should refer often to the innovate.engr.scu.edu web site for updates,
clarifications, etc. regarding the status of the competition. Questions may be addressed to Anne Mahacek and/or any other designated coordinator as listed on the competition web site.
