Apply Now for Ben Franklin SGICC’s 2016 Shale Gas Innovation Contest!
Just a reminder to all Innovators that applications can be submitted between now and 11:59PM on February 1st for the Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center’s 5th Annual Shale Gas Innovation Contest. A simple online application can be found at http://www.sgicc.org/2016-shale-gas-innovation-contest.html.
A total of $80,000 in cash prizes for the four best new product ideas, or service concepts that are either in the development stage or recently launched by researchers, entrepreneurs, or small businesses in Pennsylvania or West Virginia can apply. Ideas that have applicability to any aspect of the O&G industry or their suppliers, or that focus on natural gas or NGL utilization or conversion, or that address EH&S aspects related to the industry are all of interest.
In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants will gain exposure to investors, potential partners, and industry sponsors at this year’s Finals Event already scheduled to take place on May 18th, 2016 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe, PA. In addition there will be a poster session included to highlight some of the most promising technologies under development from our regional university sponsors and partners.
This 5th Annual Shale Gas Innovation Contest’s GOLD Sponsor is the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (http://www.benfranklin.org). Industry sponsors include: AquaTech (www.aquatech.com), Chevron Technology Ventures (http://www.chevron.com/ctv/ctvi/), EQT Corporation (https://www.eqt.com/ ), First National Bank (www.fnb-online.com ), GE Oil & Gas (http://www.ge-energy.com), Inflection Energy (http://www.inflectionenergy.com/), LPR Energy (http://www.lprenergy.com/), LPR Land Services (http://www.lprls.com/), the Marcellus Shale Coalition (http://marcelluscoalition.org), PPG Industries (http://corporate.ppg.com/), Praxair (www.praxair.com), Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (http://www.steptoe-johnson.com/ ), and Williams (www.williamsinthenortheast.com). Non-Profit sponsors include: Carnegie Mellon University’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation (http://www.cmu.edu/energy/), Penn State University’s Institute for Natural Gas Research (http://www.ems.psu.edu/INGaR) the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Energy (http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/cfe/), and West Virginia University’s Energy Institute (http://energy.wvu.edu/).
Finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry experts. To download an application, visit www.sgicc.org and click on the 2016 Shale Gas Innovation Contest tab. Deadline to enter is 11:59PM on February 1st, 2016. For details regarding eligibility or other questions, contact Bill Hall at either 814-933-8203 or billhall@psu.edu.
About the SGICC
The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The Center’s goal is to increase sustainable employment and wealth creation in Pennsylvania that has the potential to outlast the initial exploration, production and transportation of natural gas from the formations. The Center will also identify, support and commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset.
