Global Midwest Alliance
888.808.0462
Driving Innovation and Growth
Press Release
August 16, 2013
Global Midwest Alliance Announces 2013 Polsinelli Innovation Competition Finalists
CHICAGO - Global Midwest Alliance and Midwest Research University Network (MRUN) are pleased to announce the five finalists in its 5th Annual innovation competition -- the 2013 Polsinelli Innovation Competition -- a leading Midwest competition for entrepreneurs developing innovative processes, products and services in the clean and green technology industries. The five finalists are: 10X Technology, based in Libertyville, Ill.; Global Green Products LLC, based in Orland Park, Ill.; HE System Technologies, based in Willowbrook, Ill.; Irrigreen, LLC, based in Edina, MN; and LiBro Energy Storage Systems, based in Des Plaines, Ill.
The Polsinelli Innovation Competition showcase will be held during the Clean Technology Innovation, Growth and Globalization program, What's in the Future for Clean Tech?, on September 10 at the Union League Club in Chicago. The innovation competition focuses on excellence in technology, clean technology innovation, products and services across the Midwest and beyond. Finalists will present their technology to an audience of early stage investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, clean tech-focused venture capitalists and financiers, and corporate R&D and business development executives. The winners will be announced immediately following the Polsinelli Innovation Competition showcase.
Entries in the competition are required to provide solutions to global challenges in such areas as environmental technologies, renewable and alternative energy, infrastructure and community improvements, or green building science. These solutions must offer competitive returns for investors and customers. Products, services and processes eligible for entry must improve and promote the productive and responsible use of natural resources; reduce or eliminate negative ecological impact; and provide superior performance at lower costs compared to other approaches.
The finalists:
10X Technology designs and manufactures micro- and nano-structured polymer substrates. The company’s proprietary and continuous manufacturing technologies produce substrates for a wide range of applications.
Altium Energy, Inc. is a brand new start-up formed to commercialize a patented flow battery invented at the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in Des Plaines, Illinois. Its products represent a breakthrough in cost and energy density for stationary energy storage applications.
Global Green Products LLC develops, manufactures, markets and sells “green” polymer products that are used to keep oil and natural gas wells and shale formations clean of scale and deposits to maximize the production of oil and natural gas.
HE System Technologies produces natural gas refueling compressor systems. Through proprietary design and manufacturing techniques, the company has developed the most advanced, reliable, safe and cost-effective natural gas refueling system available. This system expands the market to smaller fleets while scaling to larger applications.
IrriGreen, LLC manufactures and sells landscape irrigation systems that save water and simplify installation. They use digital technology to water the exact landscape shape cutting installation time in half and reducing wasted water by 50%. IrriGreen installers generate more profit per installation and greater ownership value to end users.
The Polsinelli Innovation Competition is a preeminent venue for entrepreneurs in new clean and green technologies to present venture-ready business ideas to the scientific and research communities and potential investors. Inventors submit their products, services or processes to a qualified panel of experts—competing not only for a cash award and a Tech Start-Up Legal Service Package valued at $10,000 (sponsored by Polsinelli), but also for opportunities to explore licensing and funding, network with investors and help their ideas become reality. Submissions are judged by a panel of experts representing regional universities, venture capitalists and clean tech business executives.
The Polsinelli Innovation Competition is presented by the Global Midwest Alliance and the Midwest Research University Network and sponsored by the law firm of Polsinelli.
About Polsinelli
Real Challenges. Real Answers.SM Serving corporations, institutions, entrepreneurs, and individuals, our attorneys build enduring relationships by providing legal counsel informed by business insight to help clients achieve their objectives. This commitment to understanding our clients' businesses has helped us become the fastest growing law firm in the U.S. for the past five years, according to the leading legal business and law firm publication, The American Lawyer. Our more than 670 attorneys in 17 cities work with clients nationally to address the challenges of their roles in health care, financial services, real estate, life sciences and technology, energy and business litigation. The firm can be found online at www.polsinelli.com. Polsinelli PC. In California, Polsinelli LLP.
About MRUN
The Midwest Research University Network (MRUN) is a commercialization collaborative focused on fostering the formation and growth of high tech start-ups in the Midwest. MRUN members include individuals engaged in venture formation at universities and research institutions, investors, entrepreneurs and those who help them. All are either in, or interested in, the Midwest. The MRUN community helps members make connections informally to solve common problems in startup business development including, angel and seed–stage financing, placement of management talent and opportunities for collaboration. MRUN is built around the idea that working together regionally in new business formation can accomplish more than working independently locally. For more information visit www.mrun.us.
Global Midwest Alliance is the only business-led economic development group for the Midwest region. The Alliance facilitates collaboration among key stakeholders to provide access to global business opportunities to the Midwest and realize economic value from existing world-class assets in the Midwest. The Alliance focuses on programs and platforms that help high growth companies develop and expand markets for businesses based in the Midwest, encourage and assist international business activities in the region, and integrate business, financial and scientific resources for successful commercialization of technology in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.globalmidwestalliance.org.
