Ben Franklin Energy Idea Contest

BFTP has announced a new funding contest for energy-related businesses. Please see the announcement below. FYI, I have been informed that BFTP will not conduct its annual Big Idea business plan contest this year due to funding cuts. The Big Idea contest was open to a wider range of technologies than this present contest.

Please let me know if you are interested in applying. Please also pass this information along to anyone that you feel would be eligible and interested:

Ben Franklin Technology Partners and PennTAP Announce the $35,000 NEW Energy Idea Contest

State College, PA – The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (BFTP/CNP) announce their sponsorship of the “NEW Energy Idea Contest.” The 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 as well as PennTAP utilizing a donation made by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Interested entrepreneurs can visit http://newenergyplan.benfranklin.org for rules, entry forms, and FAQs. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2010.

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. These 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 is 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.”

Heidi F. Sullivan
Proposal Coordinator
Ben Franklin Technology PArtners
5340 Fryling Road
Erie, PA 16510
Telephone: (814) 898-6650