Global Midwest Alliance
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Driving Innovation and Growth
Press Release
January 30, 2014
Entrepreneurs, Innovators and Start-Ups Invited to Participate in the
6th Annual Polsinelli Innovation Competition
CHICAGO – Global Midwest Alliance and the Midwest Research University Network (MRUN) are pleased to invite you to participate in the 6th Annual Polsinelli Innovation Competition. The Innovation Competition is being held during the annual Clean Technology Innovation, Growth and Globalization program on October 23, 2014 at the Union League Club, which will focus on the Midwest's excellence in technology, clean technology innovation, products and services.
The Polsinelli Innovation Competition was created to help emerging and venture ready clean tech companies gain visibility and make connections. It also provides a showcase for developers of new technologies that offer competitive returns for investors and customers while providing solutions to global challenges. The companies featured in this competition are developing products and services which:
- Promote the productive and responsible use of natural resources
- Reduce negative ecological impact
- Provide superior performance at lower costs
Competition entries may include, but are not limited to, products, services and technologies in the areas of renewable and alternative energy, infrastructure and community, green building, food and agriculture, manufacturing, water products, logistics and sustainable distribution.
Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts representing regional universities, venture capitalists and clean tech business executives. All finalists will receive recognition in program materials and the Global Midwest Alliance website, and will be eligible to attend the October 23 program free of charge. Additional finalists’ representatives will also be eligible to attend at a reduced registration rate.
The top five competition finalists will have an opportunity to present their technology during the program on October 23 to an audience of early stage investors, entrepreneurs, clean tech-focused venture capitalists and financiers, and corporate R&D and business development executives.
Criteria for Entry
- Applicants must be focused on clean tech and sustainable innovations in the logistics, manufacturing, energy, water, food and clean technology industries as described above.
- Applicants must have a sound business plan.
- Applicants ideally will have completed an initial or angel round of funding.
- Companies presenting and/or sponsoring the October 23 Clean Technology Innovation, Growth and Globalization program are not eligible to participate.
Schedule
The 6th Annual Polsinelli Innovation Competition will be held on October 23, in conjunction with the Clean Technology Innovation, Growth and Globalization program.
The Polsinelli Innovation Competition is presented by the Global Midwest Alliance and the Midwest Research University Network. To see video highlights of the 2013 competition, visit our Clean Technology Industry page.
About Our Sponsors
Polsinelli
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 700 attorneys in 18 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. More information about the firm can be found online at www.polsinelli.com.
Midwest Research University Network
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 start-up 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: http://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.
