Drexel University announced a new collaboration with Michelin North America to help find and develop new technologies that have the potential to impact people and their mobility, and change the transportation industry.

As part of this collaboration, Drexel will host Connected Mobility Challenge, a University-wide competition for students and faculty to come up with innovative concepts and compete for cash prizes. The competition will take place in October and November 2015 under the shared leadership of Drexel Ventures, the University’s innovation accelerator, the Close School of Entrepreneurship and the College of Arts and Sciences' Center for Mobilities Research and Policy.

“We are pleased to launch a relationship with Michelin that will enable Drexel to be on the cutting-edge of mobile connectivity and provide our students and faculty with new ways to engage with industry partners,” said Keith Orris, Drexel's senior vice president of Corporate Relations and Economic Development.

Drexel faculty and students will work directly with Michelin industry experts to develop their ideas. Winning teams will have the opportunity to further develop their concepts either at Michelin or with support from Drexel Ventures and Close School programs designed for student entrepreneurs.

“For over 125 years, Michelin has had a rich heritage of mobility innovation,” said Patrick Kirby, Michelin innovation director. “We want to leverage innovation and entrepreneurship by partnering with some of the best and brightest creative thinkers to develop breakthrough mobility solutions. Drexel University can help us to achieve this goal.”