MINNEAPOLIS - July 20, 2010 - Scott Nelson of Logic PD led the 2010 Acara Challenge winners in a lesson in product realization and business solution development. The Acara Challenge winners congregated at Logic PD for a hands-on workshop to further develop their solutions for clean water and energy for cooking in rural India.

The cross-disciplinary groups of international students were challenged to address complex global needs and were selected as the winners in May 2010 for their ideas to develop sustainable business solutions that address global societal issues. The student winners are participating in a two-month paid internship to the University of Minnesota to further develop their business plans and secure funding for their ventures.

"Exposing these students to experienced professionals like Dr. Nelson allows them to get perspectives and advice on developing their business and technology ideas," said Fred Rose, director of the Acara Challenge at the University of Minnesota and CEO of the Acara Institute. "They are able to gain confidence through the support and encouragement of an executive that knows well the process of innovation and can show them their problems are not insurmountable."

"I get excited about the creativity, enthusiasm, and level of engagement of this group of innovators and am confident that they will make a difference in our society," said Dr. Scott Nelson, chief technology officer and executive vice president at Logic PD. "I look forward to the outcome of their initiatives. They have the opportunity to make a difference in these global issues presented by the Acara Challenge."

About Logic PD
Logic offers innovative product solutions for all phases of a product's lifecycle, from product design, development and engineering to manufacturing services. Logic is a leading developer and a global supplier of System on Modules (SOMs) and development kits. Offering unparalleled partnerships with access to key technologies, Logic enables customers to control costs, reduce risks and deliver products to market sooner. For more information, visit www.logicpd.com.

About the Acara Challenge
A unique partnership between the Institute on the Environment and the Acara Institute, the Acara Challenge encourages cross-disciplinary groups of students to address complex global needs through on-the-ground projects. The current challenge is focused on clean water and clean energy for cooking in India. Participating students come from a variety of backgrounds, including civil engineering, public health, business and design.
This partnership will also launch the University of Minnesota Acara Summer Institute, a two-month, on-campus incubator for the winners of the Acara Challenge. With support from the Institute on the Environment, the incubator will transition the winning Acara Challenge project from the classroom to a business startup. For more information, visit http://acarainstitute.org.