--- title: Kuzneski Innovation Cup description: Kuzneski Innovation Cup image: https://www.kuzneski.com/hubfs/IMG_1386-e1477505198724.jpg --- - [724-717-6004](tel:7247176004) [![Getting Started is Easy](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6680537/4daca9d5-4d43-4aac-bdcd-30d781af3c89.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6680537/4daca9d5-4d43-4aac-bdcd-30d781af3c89) [tel:7247176004](tel:7247176004) [![](https://www.kuzneski.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kuzneski%20Logo.%20Final-2.jpg?width=1441&height=282&name=Kuzneski%20Logo.%20Final-2.jpg)](https://www.kuzneski.com) - [ARE WE A FIT?](https://www.kuzneski.com/are-we-a-fit) - [EMPLOYEE BENEFITS](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/employee-benefits) - [HR & COMPLIANCE](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/hr-compliance) - [PAYROLL & HRIS](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/payroll-hris) - [BUSINESS INSURANCE](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/business-insurance) - [ABOUT](https://www.kuzneski.com/about-kuzneski-insurance-group) - [ABOUT US](https://www.kuzneski.com/about-kuzneski-insurance-group) - [CAREERS](https://www.kuzneski.com/careers) - [INTERNSHIPS](https://www.kuzneski.com/internships) - [LEARN](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog) - [BLOG](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog) - [Compliance Webinars](https://www.kuzneski.com/compliance-webinars) - [ARE WE A FIT?](https://www.kuzneski.com/are-we-a-fit) - [EMPLOYEE BENEFITS](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/employee-benefits) - [HR & COMPLIANCE](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/hr-compliance) - [PAYROLL & HRIS](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/payroll-hris) - [BUSINESS INSURANCE](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/business-insurance) - [ABOUT](https://www.kuzneski.com/about-kuzneski-insurance-group) - [ABOUT US](https://www.kuzneski.com/about-kuzneski-insurance-group) - [CAREERS](https://www.kuzneski.com/careers) - [INTERNSHIPS](https://www.kuzneski.com/internships) - [LEARN](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog) - [BLOG](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog) - [Compliance Webinars](https://www.kuzneski.com/compliance-webinars) [Kuzneski Innovation Cup](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/kuzneski-innovation-cup), [Angel Investing & Startups](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/angel-investing-startups), [General](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/general) # Kuzneski Innovation Cup [Kuzneski Editors](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/author/kuzneski-editors) / October 26, 2016 ![Kuzneski Innovation Cup](https://www.kuzneski.com/hubfs/IMG_1386-e1477505198724.jpg) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=) [![Share on twitter](https://7528304.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528304/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=&url=&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://7528311.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528311/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=&media=) Laurie and Andy Kuzneski sponsored the inaugural Kuzneski Innovation Cup (#KuzneskiCup) this week at the University of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the Innovation Institute.  As angel investors, mentors, and long-time supporters of the start-up ecosystem, sponsoring the competition was a natural next step for the Kuzneskis.  “We feel it is important to give back; especially when we are passionate about something,” Laurie Kuzneski said.  “My family has a long history with the University of Pittsburgh - especially its sports programs because my dad, Andy Kuzneski, Jr., played football at Pitt.  I’ve always been involved with entrepreneurship and innovation, so this was a perfect fit for us,” said Andy Kuzneski, III. Seven companies pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges selected by the Kuzneskis.  “It wasn’t an easy decision by any stretch.  There was a lot of deliberation and discussion before an ultimate decision was made,” said Laurie Kuzneski before she announced the winners at the Pitt Innovation Showcase.  First place and a $10,000 check was awarded to Invisible Shield, which is developing a new security mechanism for smartphones.  Second place and $5000 was awarded to Aeronics who are developing a prototype for their idea of concentrating an hour’s supply of oxygen in a portable device the size of a soda can.  The third place winner of $3,000 was TopoSystems, a surface technology that tackles the issues of wastewater fouling by providing a method to increase filtration efficiency and decrease cleaning costs. Click for more information about the [Kuzneski Innovation Cup](http://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/pitt-kuzneski-innovation-cup) or the [Pitt Innovation Showcase at the Innovation Institute](http://www.innovation.pitt.edu/kuzneski-wells-competitions-attract-strong-crop-innovations/?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=36517056&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Dgl-tvXn3FRwke4EAQYKbxfr1oYLtPd9Di96D4m9MzEwRMrVDQRmq3Br1yWqT3gJ5-z7drupVIArwxckSXzQHGOtQDQ&_hsmi=36517056). ### [Kuzneski Editors](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/author/kuzneski-editors) From time to time there is a blog post or story written that no one wants to take credit for. When this happens, Kuzneski Editors gets credit for the content! Rest assured, our business entity can not create or write content without human assistance. Know that one our of friendly staff is behind this post but they are too modest to take credit for it. [Follow me on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/kuzneskigroup/) [Follow me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kuzneski-financial-group/) [Follow me on Twitter](https://twitter.com/KuzneskiGroup) ### Share Your Thoughts ## You may also like [Giving back](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/giving-back), [Angel Investing & Startups](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/angel-investing-startups) ## [Out and About](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/company-news/startups/out-and-about) [Kuzneski Editors](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/author/kuzneski-editors) / April 21, 2017 [Read more](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/company-news/startups/out-and-about) [Giving back](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/giving-back), [Kuzneski Innovation Cup](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/kuzneski-innovation-cup), [Angel Investing & Startups](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/tag/angel-investing-startups) ## [4th Annual Kuzneski Innovation Cup Competition Held](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/uncategorized/4th-annual-kuzneski-innovation-cup-competition-held) [Kuzneski Editors](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/author/kuzneski-editors) / October 18, 2019 [Read more](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog/uncategorized/4th-annual-kuzneski-innovation-cup-competition-held) ## Subscribe to our freshest ideas ## Headquarters 27 North Sixth Street Indiana, PA 15701 Phone: (724) 349-1919 [Contact Us](https://www.kuzneski.com/contact-us) ## Pittsburgh 6401 Penn Ave., 3rd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Phone: (724) 349-1919 [Contact Us](https://www.kuzneski.com/contact-us) ## Solutions - [Are We A Fit?](https://www.kuzneski.com/are-we-a-fit) - [Employee Benefits](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/employee-benefits) - [HR & Compliance](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/hr-compliance) - [Payroll & HRIS](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/payroll-hris) - [Business Insurance](https://www.kuzneski.com/services/business-insurance) ## About - [About Us](https://www.kuzneski.com/about-kuzneski-insurance-group) - [Careers](https://www.kuzneski.com/careers) ## Learn - [Blog](https://www.kuzneski.com/blog) - [COVID-19 Response](https://www.kuzneski.com/covid-19) - [COVID-19 Webinars](https://www.kuzneski.com/covid-19-webinars) ### Subscribe to our freshest ideas ## Follow [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/kuzneskigroup/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/kuzneski-financial-group/) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/KuzneskiGroup) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kuzneskiig/?hl=en) --- [![Kuzneski Logo](https://www.kuzneski.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kuzneski%20Logo.%20White.png?width=250&height=143&name=Kuzneski%20Logo.%20White.png "Kuzneski Logo")](https://www.kuzneski.com/) Copyright © 2026 Kuzneski Insurance Group - [Legal Stuff](https://www.kuzneski.com/legal-stuff) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.kuzneski.com/privacy-policy-kuzneski)