Innovative Global Solutions
Fall 2024 Team Picture
Who are we
In Fall 2015, International Business Ventures (IBV) was rebranded as Innovative Global Solutions (IGS) at Michigan Technological University, with the mission of improving health and lives through affordable, low-power solutions for various underserved groups. The enterprise program serves as an alternative to traditional senior design courses, offering students the chance to develop essential industry skills earlier in their academic careers.
IGS students also collaborate with industry sponsors, gaining valuable experience and building potential career connections. Past student-led projects include an IBV ventilator, Infant Heart Enunciator, Vaccine Cold Transport Device (VCT), and an Aquaponics system. Current projects focus on an Infant Incubator, Medical Tent Environmental System, and an Infant Respiratory Filtration System. Some of these past innovations have even been implemented in developing countries, such as an Aquaponics system in Kenya and a Mobile Clinic in Ghana.
IGS competes annually in the Design Expo, consistently earning recognition. The IBV ventilator took 1st place in 2015, the VCT earned an honorable mention in 2019 and placed 3rd in 2020, and in 2023, the Aquaponics system received another honorable mention. The team continues to strive for excellence in future competitions.
Our Strategy
Innovative Global Solutions continues today going strong- designing affordable products for developing countries through the engineering design process. Not only does IGS take an idea from concept to final product, but we also get to collaborate with industry experts and allow members to gain valuable skills and experiences that can be applicable to their future careers.
Current Projects
Infant Incubator
EST. 2020
Developing a low-cost, low-power incubator to foster an optimal environment for infants in sub-Saharan Africa.
Focusing on the housing unit and controls, including temperature, humidity, and heart-rate.
Medical Tent Environmental Control
EST. 2023
Producing a supplementary product that will be used in temporary emergency shelters. This device will enhance the patient/provider interaction by affecting the nearby environmental characteristics.
Emergency Respiratory Filtration System
EST. 2024
Developing a lightweight, low-cost, low-power CPAP machine to assist in emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa. Focusing on filtration of air, controls, and casing of the device.
Get Involved Today!
About Enterprise
Enterprise at Michigan Technological University is when students work in teams on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that’s more like a business than a classroom. With coaching and guidance from faculty mentors, 26 Enterprise teams work to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions.