INDIANAPOLIS – Two local Indy teams will advance to the Make48 nationals in Wichita, KS this March, where they will compete to win $10,000. The Mallorys, a team of four Purdue University Polytechnic High School teachers, and The Grindery, a team of two eighth graders at Orchard Elementary School and two mentors from the Grindery, a business incubator in the heart of the Near Northwest, came out on top of the local competition at Machyne, the makerspace located in the 16 Tech Innovation District.
Make48 is a multi-city invention-competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of a two-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video and a sales sheet and present their idea to a panel of judges.
After brainstorming, problem-solving and tackling the challenges of designing and marketing their prototype, the teams presented to a panel of judges from Eli Lilly and Company, the Indianapolis Recorder and Anthem. Judging criteria included design, price point, branding, sizing, and the consumer experience.
Gregg Nowling, Andrew Goodin, Amanda Bowling and Andy Mundell of The Mallorys developed “Spring, plant by day, home healthcare by night (patent pending).” The discrete home health care system won over the judges with its thoughtful customer-centric approach. The team of educators won $2,000 for first place in the Indy competition.
“Make48 was an opportunity to spend time with people I love working with and put our teaching methods to the test,” said Gregg Nowling, team member of The Mallorys. “From the moment the clock started, we approached this challenge the way we ask our students to, and it was nice to see that our methods worked.”
Anya Hicks, Miles Suarez-Davis, Ivan Douglas Hicks, Ph.D. and Samuel Hodges of The Grindery received second place with their invention, “Medicane,” a multipurpose mobility and telehealth device.
“Make48 has been a great experience that has stirred the creative juices of our team, young and old,” said Ivan Douglas Hicks, Ph.D., founder of The Grindery. “Thanks to 16 Tech and Machyne for being gracious hosts, and supporting us as we look forward to what the future holds.” 
The competition took place in September 2021. The full Indianapolis docuseries debuted during a virtual premiere on Feb. 10. View the episode here.
The teams will compete in an entirely new innovation challenge at nationals this March.
16 Tech’s makerspace, Machyne, offers classic tools and high-tech equipment to bring big ideas to life. Machyne offers an array of memberships and classes for makers, hobbyists, startup founders, corporations, students and the community. Learn more at machynemakerspace.com.
Additional sponsors for the event included Anthem, Inc., Cummins, Inc., Conexus Indiana, INNOVATIVE and First Internet Bank. To learn more about the event, visit www.make48.com/indianapolis.
About Make48
Make48 is a nationwide, invention-competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of a two-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video and a sales sheet and present their idea to a panel of judges. The teams have access to a makerspace and Tool Techs that can make almost anything, thus allowing a level playing field and the chance to win even for participants who have never made a physical product. Learn more at www.make48.com.
About Machyne at 16 Tech
Machyne is a community makerspace located inside 16 Tech’s innovation hub, HqO. Machyne is equipped with classic tools and high-tech equipment to bring big ideas to life. Machyne offers an array of memberships and classes for makers, hobbyists, startup founders, corporations, students and the community. Learn more at machynemakerspace.com.
16 Tech
The 16 Tech Innovation District is a 50-acre live-work-innovate community in downtown Indianapolis. One of the largest talent attraction, retention and development opportunities in Indianapolis’s history, 16 Tech leverages its proximity to top academic, corporate, and healthcare institutions—and a growing network of spaces, programs, and talent—to foster the cross-industry convergence and collaboration that make world-changing innovation possible. The nonprofit 16 Tech Community Corporation oversees the development of the district and ensures benefits of economic growth, new investment and job creation extend to nearby neighborhoods as well as the city, the region and the state. More information can be found at www.16tech.com.
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