The 22nd annual UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition will award $90,000 in prize money for innovations in food and agriculture, animal health, human health, energy and sustainability, and social entrepreneurship at an award ceremony Thursday.

Sixteen competition finalist ventures include such innovations as:

• A breathing tube holder that improves safety for ventilated patients.
• An AI (artificial intelligence) platform that provides farmers critical insights into their herd.
• A circular-use deposit system for to-go cups.
• A noninvasive fetal pulse oximeter that may lead to a safer birthing process. 

Nine teams are led by a UC Davis student, alumnus or staff member. Three other UC campuses — Berkeley, Irvine and Los Angeles — are represented. All teams are led by an affiliate of a California college or university.

The event takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at Buehler Alumni Center, 530 Alumni Lane, Davis. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.

The event will also be viewable on Facebook Live (the link will be live at time of event).

The Big Bang! Business Competition helps aspiring and early-stage California entrepreneurs to collaborate, develop and test business visions and plans. Big Bang! is organized by the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.