MOUNT PLEASANT, WI – The first round of Foxconn’s Smart Cities, Smart Futures competition prompted 325 entries from students, faculty and staff at higher education institutions in Wisconsin.

First round winners will be selected by Dec. 11.

Foxconn will provide up to $1 million in awards over three years, soliciting entries from the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin technical colleges and private colleges and universities.

Up to 100 winners will be selected to receive a $500 cash prize and an invitation to the second round. Some $200,000 in prizes will be awarded during three rounds of competition.

First round submissions included ways to address challenges in education, healthcare, transportation and housing with technology.

Foxconn suggests entrants secure intellectual property rights prior to submitting.

Fifty judges have been selected from Foxconn’s Wisconsin education partners to evaluate the entries. Four judges will evaluate each entry and assign a score based on six criteria.

The second round will run through January.