FROM SKETCH TO STEEL:
Mechanical Design and Innovation Competition
Competition Announcement
Submission Deadline: March 10, 2026
TerraMagica Brands is pleased to announce its inaugural innovation competition! From Sketch to Steel, conducted in collaboration with UniPod through the Makerere University Technology & Innovations Center, is a national design challenge for engineering students and graduates in Uganda, running from roughly January to May 2026. This first challenge solicits bright minds to submit innovative engineering concepts to address a critical need of TerraMagica's in the food industry.
By participating in the challenge, contestants will (a) gain hands-on experience in design engineering and (b) have the opportunity to develop a solution for a real problem. If successful, contestants may see their designs turned into actual, working machines! Winning contestants will also receive both cash and in-kind prizes and may have the opportunity to continue working with TerraMagica in the future.
The Challenge
As TerraMagica works to get its first food production line off the ground, the company wishes to develop a modern clay groundnut roaster. Each contestant, working individually, is tasked to develop an innovative engineering concept and fully detailed design for the clay groundnut roaster. TerraMagica is open to all ideas and offers no prescriptions for design concepts. Contestants are encouraged to be creative and may conceive of a wide variety of approaches to incorporate clay into a modern roaster for groundnuts. For their submissions, contestants should take into account the following core criteria:
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Innovation: Does the design adopt a novel and creative approach?
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Feasibility and Manufacturability: How easily can the design be manufactured in Uganda, and how cost-effective is the design?
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Reliability and Maintenance: What level of maintenance does the design require? Does the design maximize the lifespan of the machine?
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Aesthetics, Functionality, and User-Friendliness: Can the machine be easily integrated into a standard production line? How much labor is required to operate the machine? Is the machine easy for operators to manage?
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Food-Grade Standards: Does the design adhere to the highest standards of food safety and hygienic design?
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Quality and Flavor: How will the design yield a food product with the best flavor possible?
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Methodology: Is the design grounded in rigorous engineering methodology? Is the design informed by appropriate theoretical modeling?
Prizes
The three top-performing contestants and the shortlisted contestants who participate in the first pitch round will receive prizes as follows.
First Place:
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Cash award of 1,250,000 UGX
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Potential future opportunities to perform engineering design work for TerraMagica
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Invitation to participate in TerraMagica's Young Business Leaders Program, a three-month interdisciplinary training program that equips trainees with core business skills and supports the development of their personal career interests
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Certificate of Recognition
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LinkedIn endorsement
SECOND Place:
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Cash award of 750,000 UGX
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Potential future opportunities to perform engineering design work for TerraMagica
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Certificate of Recognition
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LinkedIn endorsement
THIRD Place:
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Cash award of 500,000 UGX
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Potential future opportunities to perform engineering design work for TerraMagica
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Certificate of Recognition
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LinkedIn endorsement
ALL SHORTLISTED CONTESTANTS FROM FIRST PITCH ROUND:
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Certificate of Participation
Competition Phases, Rules, and Procedures
The competition phases, rules, and procedures are fully detailed in the Competition Terms and Conditions. Please carefully read the Competition Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to participate and to ensure your ability to comply with the competition rules. By submitting an entry to the competition, each contestant agrees to the Competition Terms and Conditions.
The competition will progress in four major stages, as summarized below. Please note that the top three winners will not be finalized, and prizes not awarded, until the conclusion of Phase 4: Final Modifications. During this stage, the top contestant will work with TerraMagica to make any necessary modifications to the design that TerraMagica may request based on its business needs. If the originally chosen top contestant does not exhibit sufficient cooperation, professionalism, quality, or timeliness in making the design modifications, TerraMagica may change the rank ordering of the winning three entries and select another contestant for the top position.
phase 1: SUBMISSION
Contestants prepare their competition entries and submit their materials.
Deadline: March 10, 2026, at 11:59PM EAT
phase 2: SHORTLISTING AND FIRST PITCH
The top 5-10 contestants are invited to pitch their proposals virtually. Contestants receive feedback and make revisions as necessary.
Timeframe: Mid-to-late March 2026
phase 3: FINAL PITCHES
The top three contestants are selected and are invited to give final in-person pitches of their proposals.
Timeframe: Early-to-mid April 2026
phase 4: FINAL MODIFICATIONS
The top contestant is chosen and works with TerraMagica to make final modifications (up to 21 days).
Timeframe: Mid-April to May 2026
Confidentiality
The competition will follow strict confidentiality standards out of respect for both the interests of contestants and the interests of TerraMagica in relation to submitted designs. Please refer to the Competition Terms and Conditions for the full set of rules in relation to confidentiality, which are summarized here.
During the competition, contestants must keep their submissions strictly confidential and only use them for the purposes of the competition. TMB will similarly treat all submissions with strict confidentiality during the competition.
Winning contestants must protect the confidentiality of their designs perpetually, as the ownership of their designs will be transferred to TerraMagica (further discussed under the Originality and Intellectual Property section).
Non-winning contestants will retain full ownership over their designs, and TerraMagica will acquire no right to use them. TerraMagica will in perpetuity protect the confidentiality of non-winning designs.
Should contestants be exposed to any trade secrets of TerraMagica in the course of the competition, they are also obligated to protect the confidentiality of such information for as long as it qualifies as a trade secret under applicable law.
Originality and Intellectual Property
Please refer to the Competition Terms and Conditions for the full set of rules in relation to originality and intellectual property, which are summarized here. Contestants must submit wholly original work and are not allowed to work with any other party in developing their submission materials. Submissions from teams are not allowed. Contestants may not copy from the work of any third party or otherwise infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party in the creation of their submission materials. Should a contestant use any third-party intellectual property in the creation of their submission materials, the contestant must obtain proper use licenses and ensure that the terms of any such licenses will not constrain TerraMagica’s use of the resulting equipment design.
In accordance with the Competition Terms and Conditions, all winning contestants agree to transfer all intellectual property rights in relation to their designs to TerraMagica. Following the selection of the winners and the awarding of prizes, TerraMagica will be the owner of the three top designs and related materials. Non-winning contestants will retain full ownership over their designs.
Eligibility
The competition is open to individuals aged 18 years or older who are either citizens or work-eligible legal residents of the Republic of Uganda. Submissions from teams are not accepted. The following groups are ineligible to participate: (a) any shareholders, directors, officers, employees, or contractors of TerraMagica; (b) any persons having a financial position, investment, or interest in, or providing professional services to (either as an independent contractor or an employee), a TerraMagica competitor.
Entry Requirements
Qualifying entries for the competition must consist of the following:
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Official Entry Form: A completed Official Entry Form, along with a copy of the contestant’s National Identification Card (front and back) for citizens or passport biodata page and work permit or work-eligible residency permit or visa for legal residents.
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Technical Abstract: A technical abstract (up to 3,000 characters) describing the proposed design.
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CAD Models/Drawings: Complete Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models and engineering drawings for the design, created in a digital application of the Contestant’s choice.
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Bill of Materials: A comprehensive bill of materials.
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Optional Materials: Submissions may also include design specifications and analysis reports (e.g., feasibility simulations) and will likely be judged more favorably for the inclusion of such materials.
All submitted files should be in PDF format, except for any video files.
Competition Integrity
TerraMagica is firmly committed to running a fair competition that is free from undue bias, conflicts of interest, and improper influence. Please refer to the Competition Terms and Conditions for more detailed rules regarding expectations of contestants and disqualifying conduct. Should you become aware of any conduct that may violate the terms of the competition, please report it to mdic2026@terramagica.co or speakup@terramagica.co. We will make all possible efforts to maintain your anonymity.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:
If you are interested in participating in the competition, you are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest Survey. The survey will assist our planning for the competition activities and enable us to remain in touch with you. Please note, however, that you can still participate in the competition regardless of whether you have submitted an Expression of Interest.
OPENING WEBINARS:
Click to download the webinar slides from the opening webinars held on February 9 and 14, 2026.
REGISTER AND SUBMIT:
Ready to enter? Click the button in the menu at the top of the page to create an account and login. You will then be able to access the contestant portal and can begin preparing your submission materials. Please review the Registration and Submission Tutorial in case you need further guidance. Good luck!
Questions and Support
For answers to frequently asked questions, please be sure to check out the FAQs page. For any other questions regarding the competition, or if you experience any technical problems with the submission platform, please contact us at mdic2026@terramagica.co.