The Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC) recently announced that Team “Rise and Grind Crew” from the University of Minnesota has emerged victorious in Round 1 of the Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025. The team’s exceptional Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design earned them the $1,000 cash prize and secured their position among the top eight teams advancing to the final round of competition on October 22, 2025 during the SMTA International Conference and Expo in Rosemont, Illinois, USA.
Golden Gopher Excellence Shines
Team “Rise and Grind Crew” distinguished themselves among competitors nationwide with their innovative PCB design that will serve as the brain of their competition robot. The team demonstrated exceptional technical prowess in creating a functional, efficient, and manufacturable design while incorporating a standout custom feature that impressed industry judges.
“The University of Minnesota team captured exactly what we hope to see in the next generation of electronics professionals,” said Tara Dunn, EMAC Director of Training and Education. “Their work blended technical precision with forward-thinking innovation, problem-solving, and attention to detail that fuels real progress in electronics manufacturing. This is the mindset that will shape our industry’s future.”
From Design to Reality: The Journey Continues
Having conquered the design phase, Team “Rise and Grind Crew” now advances to Round 2: Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Review, running through September 30, 2025. During this critical phase, industry experts will evaluate their design for real-world fabrication readiness, providing professional-grade feedback that mirrors actual industry processes. As one of only eight teams nationwide to advance, they will compete in the competition finale for the $2,500 grand prize. The other seven teams to advance include:
Michigan Technological University Team “MTU ECE”
University of Massachusetts Lowell “Team Fishies”
Palomar College Team “PCBros”
University of Maribor Team “R&J”
University of Massachusetts Lowell Team “RiverHawk Tracers”
Pasadena City College Team “Ohm’s Revenge”
University of Massachusetts Lowell Team “Clap Trap”
About the Bright Manufacturing Challenge
The Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025 is an immersive, multidisciplinary competition where student teams design, fabricate, and test custom printed circuit boards to control competition robots. The challenge provides participants with professional-grade tools, industry mentorship, and authentic manufacturing experience, culminating in a live robot competition at SMTA International.
Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are currently available. For more information about the Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025 and to get involved, visit www.electronicsworkforce.com/thechallenge or contact Tara Dunn, tara@smta.org. For details about SMTA International Conference and Exposition, visit www.smtai.org.
About EMAC
The Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative connects partners in education, industry, and economic development to build a skilled workforce that meets the evolving demands of the electronics manufacturing industry. Through innovative programs like the Bright Manufacturing Challenge, EMAC bridges the gap between academic learning and industry application. SMTA proudly supports EMAC’s efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of electronics manufacturing professionals.
