Young Inventors Showcase verified non-profit
About
Greg Micek started up the Houston Inventors Association (HIA) in 1983 (www.inventors.org), as a result of a conference he put together at the University of Houston's Hilton Hotel to promote the newly passed Small Business Innovations Research Act. Members of the HIA started up the YIS in 1988, and Greg adopted it a few years later. In 1999, he formally took over the ownership of the YIS, and in 2002, Greg placed it in the ownership of a 50.c.3 non-profit that he formed, called the Young Inventors Association of America, Inc. (YIAA).
In 2005, the Children's Museum of Houston (CMH) took over operating management of YIS. Under their management, YIS grew from an average annual participation rate of around 100 kids to over 2,000 participants.
In 2014, CMH handed YIS back to Greg. We are proud to state that we have 100% renewal rate on participating schools and will meet or exceed the 2,000 participant level.
Greg Micek
Founder
I am the Founder of the Young Inventors Showcase. I am an innovative leader leveraging over 35 years of entrepreneur experience into start up ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
Fran Goundry
Program Director
As a high energy and effective leader in education, my diverse expertise in development, marketing, public relations and advancement has provided me with the opportunity to foster growth for YIAA & The Young Inventor's Showcase. I am passionate about improving the lives of our youth and cultivating a YIAA's vision to expand it's reaches in our community. This year Greg Micek, Founder of YIAA, asked me to help organize this year's Young Inventor's Showcase. Needless to say, I was excited and highly motivated to take it under my wing and make it extra special. Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to facilitate this event in several schools, so I am well versed in the logistics to make it run efficiently and generate fun for the participants. The Young Inventor's Showcase is an annual event for Elementary through Middle School students that is sponsored by YIAA. Its goal is to inspire young minds and their imagination. The 27th Annual Young Inventor’s Showcase will be taking place on Saturday, May 30th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Bauer College of Business on the campus of The University of Houston. In preparation for this event over 2500 students from Kindergarten through Eighth grade participated in local "Invention Conventions" hosted by their schools. This year, 100 selected students will be showcasing their creativity, enthusiasm, and their innovative inventions to compete for one scholarship to help fund the patenting process. We have recruited volunteers in the engineering, technology, science, fine arts, and math fields to assist us with this competition. This event boldly demonstrates the innovative thinking and creative ideas of our young children. In order to generate and cultivate the positive effects that our program has on children we need your support.We look forward to your support of our Young Inventors!
Greg Micek
Managing Director
I am the founder of the Houston Inventors Association (1983) and the Young Inventors Showcase (1988).
