Finalists Chosen for $35,000 New Energy Idea Contest

The $35,000 New Energy Idea Contest, sponsored by Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern PA (BFTP/CNP) and the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP), has chosen seven finalists and is currently determining a panel of judges.

Forty applications were received before the deadline of April 15, 2010. The grand prize of $35,000 will be awarded to either an entrepreneur or an early-stage, pre-revenue company in the process of developing a new energy or alternative energy-related product or process improvement. This includes (but is not limited to) improvements to existing technologies, new hardware or software products that improve efficiency, new battery or fuel cell applications, engine and turbine technologies and agriculture-based projects.

Prize money for the contest is being provided by BFTP/CNP as well as PennTAP, utilizing a donation made by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

The seven finalists include:

Mark Leiby – Aerokinetic Systems
Herman Wefelmeyer – Biomass Converters
Michael Gates
Joshua Gehly – Green Lighting LED
Jennifer Stockton – MECONS Engineering
Tom Falcone – Nascent Services
Peter Funke – Solar Chemical Company

The winner will be selected on June 17, 2010.