What is Zillion Solutions?

Do you have a solution to a problem? Zillion Solutions is a campuswide competition where graduate, undergraduate students of all majors (including undecided students), dual enrolled, and Genesee County high school students make a short video or slide deck describing their unique idea for a new product or service that will solve a problem.

Entering takes no time; investing a couple of
minutes now can win you up to $2,850! The video can be a two-minute or less selfie. The slide deck should be five or fewer slides. Just follow the submission template.

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The Hagerman Center is excited to award dozens of prizes ranging from $100 to $2000 to UM-Flint students for the 2024/25 academic year!

Why Participate?

  • Dozen of prizes ranging from $100 to $2,000
  • Add a great line to your resume
  • Network and meet other entrepreneurs in the UM-Flint and the Flint community

To get your idea off the ground, 100K Ideas will give all participants extensive free help, normally costing $200.

Awards Breakdown

Semifinalist Awards

There will be three semifinalists from each UM-Flint school/college that will win a $100 prize. These individuals will be in the running to be the finalist and represent their school/college during the universitywide Awards.

Finalists Awards

At least one team from each UM-Flint school/college (e.g., College of Innovation and Technology, School of Nursing, School of Management, etc.), as well as Genesee County high schools or dual enrolled students is guaranteed to be one of ten finalists and win $250.

*The judges will select four additional teams from any division as finalists. 

Universitywide Awards

The ten students or teams will then compete for thousands of dollars. One student/student team can win $2,850!

  • $2,000 – Grand Prize
  • $1,000 – 1st Runner up
  • $500 – 2nd Runner up
  • $500 – Fan Favorite Award

All prizes are subject to financial aid requirements, and awards may be in the form of an all-purpose Amazon gift card. The winners must be enrolled in either summer 2024, fall 2024 or winter 2025 semesters.

Important Dates

  • Final Submission deadline: February 27, 2025
  • Announce Semifinalist winners: March 12, 2025
  • Announce Finalist winners: March 26, 2025
  • Zillion Solutions Award Ceremony: April 9, 2025 @ 5:30-7:30 pm, Riverfront Conference Center. RSVP.

Submissions

General Rules & Information

  • You can submit either:
    • a quick 2 minute or less video or,
    • a short five slide or fewer PowerPoint, the PowerPoint does not need to include voice over.
  • Each team must include one or more students enrolled at UM-Flint during summer 2024, fall 2024, or winter 2025 semesters. No limit on group size or interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • UM-Flint students (but not others) may be on more than one team.  However, if a student is on more than one team that makes it to the finals, s/he will have to choose one team with which to continue the competition.
  • The solution must be a product or service. The exact product or service can’t already exist. It can, however,
    • be a minor modification to an existing product or service, if the modification more effectively solves a problem.
    • be unique within a specific geographic area (e.g., Flint) where it is currently unavailable, even if it already exists in other areas.

Judging Criteria

  • The solution clearly solves a problem
  • Provides a clear benefit over current competition/alternative and is creative
  • Creative approach to an idea

Submission Format & Guidelines

  • The selfie video must be less than two minutes or the slide deck must be five or fewer slides. Submitters who used slides and made it to the semifinals will need to replace the PowerPoint with a video. Videos should use an MP4 format.
  • The suggested video/slide structure is below and on the submission template. Just follow along!
    • Introduce yourself: name(s), category (e.g., School of Management, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, etc.), class rank, (e.g., freshman, senior, master’s student, etc.), and existing solutions that are similar to your idea.
    • Explain your solution! What is the problem you are trying to solve, and how will your solution, idea, or innovation solve it? 
    • What are your goals?

This is the gateway to the UM-Flint Intranet for all faculty, staff, and students. The Intranet is where you can visit additional department websites to access more information, forms, and resources that will assist you.

Students in a classroom.

Interested in Entrepreneurship?

Take Introduction to Entrepreneurship: EIM340! EIM340 counts towards the Social Science General Education requirement! Learn how to make more money pursuing your passion. There are engaging entrepreneurial projects and no group work! We also offer an Entrepreneurship minor with no prerequisite courses for most students!