Foxconn Technology Group has announced the selection of 88 first-round winners of the company’s Smart Cities—Smart Futures competition, an initiative that encourages the sharing of fresh ideas and unconventional thinking for the benefit of Wisconsin.

During a ceremony Thursday at Carthage College, Foxconn recognized the best ideas submitted by students, faculty, and staff from the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Wisconsin Technical College System.

The competition promotes innovative ideas to enhance quality of life, improve working environments, expand transportation networks and living spaces, inspire creative city planning and promote sustainable energy solutions in Wisconsin. The competition was open to students, faculty, and staff at all UW campuses, technical colleges and independent colleges in Wisconsin. First-round winners will receive $500 to help further develop their projects.

A panel of 50 judges from partners in academia and the private sector evaluated a total of 325 submissions and determined the 88 that will proceed to the second round. Read the full story here.