Cypress Semiconductor launched a $160,000 global design competition that enables students who design with Cypress technology to compete regionally for Cypress innovation awards of up to $20,000 in cash and ultimately win the T.J. Rodgers Trophy, named after Cypress's president and CEO. Cypress Innovator Design Challenge contest entries will be solicited from six regions: (1) North America, (2) Europe and the Middle East, (3) China, (4) Japan and Korea, (5) India, and (6) Southeast Asia and ROW (rest of world). Each region will have a first-place prize of $10,000, a second-place prize of $2,500, and a $1,000 third-place prize. The professors of the first-place prize winners in each region will also receive a $10,000 award.

In addition, all first-prize winners will compete for the inaugural T.J. Rodgers Innovation trophy and an additional $10,000 cash prize. The most commercially viable designs of those submitted will be analyzed by Cypress's investment team for possible seed funding. Members of the winning teams also will be guaranteed an interview with Cypress for possible internships, co-ops, or full-time employment. Cypress is also awarding the top 100 Innovator Design Challenge proposals worldwide with a CY3210 PSoC evaluation kit and a copy of the "Designer's Guide to Cypress PSoC," written by Robert Ashby. Additionally, all completed project submissions will be screened for possible publication on the Cypress University Alliance website as a success story, application note or reference design