By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Several young inventors were honored at the The Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) International Championship, as it celebrated its 19th annual awards ceremony.
The event was held at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, showcasing aspiring young inventors ages 6–18 from five countries. Dedicated to fostering creativity and entrepreneurship, this event recognized exceptional young inventors who brought forward original toy and game inventions reviewed by toy industry professionals.
The Young Inventor Challenge is a forum that offers youth a platform to express their ideas, refine their skills, and receive mentorship from toy industry experts. Winners were selected based on their inventive concepts, compelling pitches, and strong potential for market success.
The 2024 Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship winners include:
Best Pitch – Sponsored by Amazon
- Senior Winner: Skirmish-Battle-War by Gideon Koffman, 6th grade, Toronto, Canada
- Junior Winner: Aliens vs. Cows by Elliott Anderson, 4th grade, Palos Park, IL
Most Innovative – Sponsored by Mattel
- Senior Winner: MetroNet by Keegan Franck, 9th grade, Belmont, MA
- Junior Winners: Makenix by Claire Drapa, 4th grade, Palos Heights, IL & Richard Lee, 4th grade, Palos Park, IL
Most Engaging – Sponsored by Crazy Aaron’s
- Senior Winner: Ultramons Board Game by Palash Bhasin, 6th grade, Issaquah, WA
- Junior Winner: Calming Cuddlees by Maria Schwartze, 4th grade, Saint Charles, MO
Most Original – Sponsored by The Op
- Senior Winner: Wizard Quest by Andrew Hebdon, 9th grade, Forest, VA
- Junior Winner: Spladder by Hyacinth Speropolous, 4th grade, Palos Hills, IL
Most Marketable – Sponsored by Jill & Tom Barad
- Senior Winner: Battle Blox by Bella Mulligan, 6th grade, Rolla, MO
- Junior Winner: Chopstick Chef by Nate Tellone, 4th grade, Palos Park, IL
Best Potential – Sponsored by People of Play
- Senior Winner: Tenball by Alex Kirsch, 11th grade, Scarsdale, NY
- Junior Winner: Smack It! by Olivia Scheetz, 4th grade, Palos Park, IL
This year, 168 young inventors submitted a total of 120 toy and game creations to the competition, representing 18 U.S. states, as well as countries such as Canada, Spain, Mexico, and Guyana.
Each participant brought global perspectives to their creative concepts. The YIC continues to expand its international reach, offering a platform for young inventors worldwide to share their ideas.
“Our judges were so impressed by the passion and ingenuity each inventor brought to the table,” said Ahren Hoffman, YIC Director for People of Play. “These young inventors not only displayed immense talent but also the determination to make their ideas a reality. We are honored to support their journeys and grateful to the judges for their commitment to helping each participant grow.”