This virtual event will showcase 10 of the top 40 teams selected from a ​nationwide challenge to develop innovative and effective mask designs. Join us to learn about the top teams competing to partner with BARDA and NIOSH to win up to $10K each in funding to prototype their designs.

In this regional event, each team will pitch their mask design to a panel of judges for feedback and review. Based on scoring from this and other regional events, the national ​finalists for Phase 1 (up to 10 teams) will be announced by BARDA in June. Stay tuned to learn more about Phase 2 of the challenge which will include proof-of-concept testing on mask prototypes. To learn more, visit https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/mask-innovation-challenge/.

This event is hosted by the southeastern regional BARDA DRIVe Accelerators: Biolocity, First Flight Venture Center, and the New Orleans BioInnovation Center.