2026 Finalist
Student Pitch Competition
OhmLife Insoles
Cascade High School, Leavenworth WA
OhmLife Insoles are an energy-harvesting insole for hikers, hunters, search-and-rescue personnel, and military users who depend on powered devices in the field. The insoles convert the force of every footstep into electricity, store it in an integrated onboard battery, and deliver power to GPS units, personal locator beacons, cell phones, and other USB devices, all without adding weight to your pack. With a working prototype, a provisional patent filed, and a summer 2026 field testing program in preparation, OhmLife is built to solve a problem that has no good perfect today; staying charged in the outdoors.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Elliot Tiegel is a 17-year-old founder from Washington State who is building OhmLife Insoles from the ground up. Starting with cardboard prototypes and a $100 investment from his parents, he's worked up to a patent-pending product that has charged a phone from footstep energy alone. Self-taught in electronics, circuit design, and 3D printing, Elliot developed OhmLife alongside a full academic schedule, with the support of his mentor and school community. He is the sole engineer, designer, and builder behind every version of the product.
Elliot Tiegel
Founder
