Arctic Innovation Competition presents 2026 awards

Arctic Innovation Competition presents 2026 awards

A residential boiler economizer designed to improve heating efficiency in rural Alaska won first place in the 2026 Arctic Innovation Competition main division finals on April 18.

The competition, an idea contest for startup businesses, products or services, is organized by the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Business and Security Management. Over $45,000 provided by sponsors was awarded during the finals at the 8 Star Events Center in Fairbanks.

Twins Drini and Vjosa Pellumbi, who were also celebrating their birthday, won the $15,000 Main Division prize for their Arctic Heat Recovery System, which is designed to reduce heating oil consumption. Making AIC history, the siblings also won three $2,000 kicker prizes in the Alaska College Student, Climate and Sustainability categories. As part of the Alaska Student Kicker Award, the Pellumbis will participate in the University of Washington's Dempsey Startup Competition, with sponsorship from the UAF Center for Innovation.

"Winning means being one step closer to our solution. This is very new to us. We are undergraduate mechanical engineering students at [the University of Alaska Anchorage], and this is a gateway for us to get into that career path," Vjosa Pellumbi said.

"Winning gives us the freedom to pursue this idea and gives us that financial security," Drini Pellumbi added.

Main Division submissions were evaluated multiple times before the finals - first by UAF and UAA students; second by an expert panel of engineers, business owners and previous competitors; and last by judges composed of leading professionals in their industries.

In the Junior Division, the Archaeological Auto Sifter took first place and a $1,000 prize. It was created by Cade Albert, Josiah Bundy, Josiah Humphries, Atticus Langston, Aaro Mackey and Noah Skutley of CyberLynx Homeschool in Fairbanks. The portable device features interchangeable mesh trays, an off-center rotating disc and a spring system that generates a shaking motion to sift archaeological material.

Grail Conley, the 2024 Cub Division winner, took first place in the division again this year with the Atmospheric Water Extraction Solar or Minimal Electric (AWESOME) system. The concept uses atmospheric water generators to extract moisture from the air and produce water for personal use, addressing limited water availability in Alaska, where infrastructure challenges and Arctic conditions make delivery difficult.

In addition to cash prizes, the top three ideas in the junior and cub divisions also received $2,000 awards toward Alaska 529 educational savings plans.

The competition received nearly 100 submissions from participants across Alaska and the U.S. and expanded its reach into K-12 classrooms this year, with a strong showing from students at Anvil City Science Academy in Nome. Guided by educator Rachel Ventress and fellow Nome science teacher Keane Richards, multiple students submitted entries and advanced to the final event.

"It has been really neat to use Arctic Innovation because it's a relevant exercise that encourages students to look around, identify problems or things they wish were different, and then develop solutions that are relevant to our rural Alaska setting," Ventress said. "Almost every project they came up with is specific to our region and the challenges we face living in such a unique place. As an educator, that was a really rewarding experience to see."

Ventress received the $2,000 Alaska 529 Classroom of the Future Award.

For a complete list of winners, visit the AIC website. The AIC submission period for 2027 will open in the fall.

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