FIRST Robotics

Teens remember their first sports team. Their first game. Their first goal. What about their first power tool? Their first invention? Their first robot?

Intellectual Ventures employees love robots, and we're especially happy to share our enthusiasm with rising inventors. Each year we sponsor Washington-based teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which brings together more than 100 high schools with business and science professionals to ensure that invention makes an impression on youth.

Watch FIRST Robotics teams in action

Not Your Average Volunteer

Our employees mentor teams as they build robots to solve common problems. We teach students how to run their team like a company. And we help them learn the business of invention first-hand.

In addition to mentoring teams, Geoff Deane, our VP of engineering at IV Lab, volunteers his time to serve on the Washington FIRST board where he helps ensure FIRST programs flourish across the state.

"Ultimate Ascent"

In March 2013, seven IV-mentored teams competed against each other and other Western Washington teams at the Seattle Regional Competition. Our teams didn't take home the gold, but they were true champions of the spirit of innovation. View a photo gallery of the "Ultimate Ascent" competition on our Facebook page.