News

NEW Energy Idea Contest

The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (BFTP) announce their sponsorship of the NEW Energy Idea Contest.

Grand prize of $35,000 will be awarded to either an entrepreneur or one early-stage, pre-revenue company in the process of developing a new energy or alternative energy related product/process improvement.

Prize money for the contest is being provided by Ben Franklin and PennTAP through funding made by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

To qualify, contestants must have a viable, new energy/alternative energy related product or process improvement idea and cannot have received BFTP funding in the past. Additionally, applicants must be located in any one of the 32 counties in the Central and Northern Pennsylvania region.

REGIONS INCLUDE:  Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren and York.

 “Saving energy and alternative energy are on everyone’s mind”, remarked Stephen Brawley, President/CEO of Ben Franklin. “Improvements to existing technologies, new hardware or software products that increase efficiency, new battery or fuel cell applications, engine and turbine technologies, and agricultural based alternatives are all examples of the kinds of proposals we’re hoping to get from this competition. Ben Franklin is very proud to partner with the PennTAP program, as the technical assistance they provide their clients in energy related initiatives makes a huge contribution in the state.”

Interested applicants may visit: http://newenergyplan.benfranklin.org  for rules, entry forms, and FAQs.

DEADLINE for applications is April 15, 2010.