Michaela Polk Presents New Product Design at the Western New England University's 2nd Annual Product Innovation Showcase

2017 Jan 3

Michaela R. Polk, majoring in Pharmaceutical Business, is among more than 100 students who presented their Product Development and Innovation projects at the Product Innovation Showcase held in Rivers Memorial Hall on the University campus.

The Product Innovation Showcase is the culmination of a co-curricular course where entrepreneurial teams of Engineering and Business students collaborate for a full semester to turn new product ideas into marketable products, some of which could potentially receive patents. Engineering students develop a functional prototype and Business students develop the business plan. The format of the event is a competition where VIP visitors are given $1 million "Western New England University dollars" to invest in the product innovation that demonstrates the most commercial viability.

Polk's project is entitled VakPak. The VakPak is a vacuum system for packing 30% more into a suitcase. Pictured, Team VakPak: Dane Genord, Derek Kresevic, Eric Murphy, Michaela Polk, and Michael Whitman.