378 Successful Conversion of a Hybrid Idea Competition and Funding Mechanism to Fully Virtual: A Case Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) Innovation Challenge is an annual competition offering funding for innovative ideas to improve cardiovascular care. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, administrators converted the recruitment process and pitch event to fully virtual. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We detail the process of converting the event from a hybrid process (virtual and in-person recruiting and in-person event) to a fully virtual one. Changes to the event included implementing a virtual recruiting process utilizing short video recordings as submission format; a new tool for storing and displaying submissions; fully virtual finalist selection and coaching; and a fully virtual pitch and judging event. The submission process tracked information about submissions that include the type of idea (process or product), role of team lead, and department of team lead. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The FCVC Innovation Challenge was successfully converted to a fully virtual event. Methods and tools will be shared to allow similar institutions to replicate a successful virtual pitch event. These include methods and tools utilized to allow participants to describe their ideas, strategies to select and coach finalists, and to host a virtual pitch event. Data will be shared on the number of ideas and category (product/process) of projects submitted, and number and category of finalists selected. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This case review can demonstrate how institutions can use a similar virtual idea submission and pitch process to (1) catalyze innovative ideas that can impact patient care by accessing its communitys ideas and (2) fund innovative ideas that do not fit traditional mechanisms.