New Ivory Innovations Fieldworks Program Offers Housing Innovators the Opportunity to Implement Solutions in Actual Development Sites

Revolutionary program allows innovators to overcome traditional barriers and introduce disruptive affordable housing solutions in real-world developments in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ivory Innovations, a nonprofit academic center based at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, today announced the launch of Fieldworks, a housing innovation implementation program designed to bring breakthrough affordable housing solutions from concept to reality. Fieldworks is designed for innovators - builders, tech companies, materials startups and beyond - who are past the pilot stage and ready to gain market traction and demonstrate real-world applicability by implementing their solutions in Ivory Innovations' affordable housing developments in Utah. Organizations interested in learning more about or applying for the Fieldworks program can visit ivoryinnovations.org/fieldworks. The current application window closes on Friday, August 22, 2025.

"We've learned from our experience running the Ivory Prize that even the most promising solutions in housing innovation can struggle to gain traction," said Abby Ivory, President, Ivory Innovations. "Ivory Innovations Fieldworks is a first-of-its-kind program that enables innovators to overcome early adoption barriers. By integrating solutions into our own housing developments and elevating them through our national network of builders, funders, and media partners, we help innovators prove their viability to the market."

Fieldworks offers innovators the opportunity to demonstrate their solutions at scale while also improving housing outcomes for residents. Working in close partnership with Ivory Homes, Utah's largest homebuilder, with more than 1,500 units in development across a diverse range of projects, Ivory Innovations offers innovators a rare opportunity to demonstrate impact in a real-world setting with the potential for broader future adoption.

Who Should Apply

• Housing-related products, services, or systems that are 100% ready for commercial deployment on projects ranging from six to 100 units. Eligible applicants should be past the ideation, prototyping and pilot stages, and actively seeking customers for a market-ready solution.
• Applicants should be aligned with Ivory Innovations' focus on new-construction affordable and workforce rental housing. Learn more about current projects here. 
• Applicants should have a desire to partner with Ivory Innovations' mission-driven nonprofit development team.
• Selected innovators should be willing and able to implement projects located in the Salt Lake City metro area, where all current Ivory Innovations housing developments are located.

Past Ivory Prize nominees, especially finalists and winners, are strongly encouraged to apply. However, prior participation in the Ivory Prize is not required. 

Ivory Innovations Fieldworks Benefits

• Real-world application for your innovation
• Exposure to Ivory Innovations' national network of builders, funders, strategic and media partners
• A co-developed case study or insights summary to help you scale
• A unique opportunity to become a go-to solution for future Ivory Innovations projects

To apply for the Ivory Innovations Fieldworks program, visit ivoryinnovations.org/fieldworks-apply.

About Ivory Innovations
Ivory Innovations is both an academic center based at the University of Utah focused on research and innovation and an operating foundation that implements solutions in the field. The nonprofit is dedicated to catalyzing innovative solutions in housing affordability by working with students, entrepreneurs and experts to source, support and scale the most compelling housing solutions across the country. They put innovation into practice through their development of hundreds of affordable housing units each year. To learn more, visit ivoryinnovations.org.

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SOURCE Ivory Innovations