BOSTON, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As a continuation of
its successful, multi-year initiative, Sikorsky Innovations today
announced it has launched its 5th Entrepreneurial Challenge, a
competition to accelerate innovators and disruptive technology
concepts with applications in the vertical flight market. Sikorsky
Innovations is the technology development organization of Sikorsky
Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
(NYSE:UTX).
As part of the "Front End of Innovation 2014" conference,
Sikorsky unveiled a new set of challenge questions and updated
rules as it continues to align its channel to the needs and
expertise of the global entrepreneurial community. Seeking to
expand opportunities for technology leaders to contribute to
aerospace innovation, the updated rules include a removal of
overall employee count as a limitation for entering the
contest.
Sikorsky Innovations also announced it has selected Micoy
Corporation and the team of Vision Engineering Solutions, LLC and
Plasmonics, Inc. as the winners of its 4th Entrepreneurial
Challenge Competition, and awarded a Special Recognition to
NanoSonic, Inc. Sikorsky selected Micoy, an Iowa-based small company, for its presentation
of an advanced omni-directional 3D stereo imagery system in curved
and spherical surfaces, and the team of Vision and Plasmonics,
based in Orlando, Florida, for its
presentation of a novel laser warning and attribution system.
Sikorsky chose NanoSonic, Inc., based in Pembroke, Virginia, for its work in advanced
thermal coatings and materials.
Sikorsky also announced that it has secured a license agreement
from EvoLux Transportation, LLC. For the past 12 months,
EvoLux, the winner of the 2nd Entrepreneurial Challenge,
has been leveraging its award package to accelerate development of
its unique online helicopter charter and ride share marketplace.
The license agreement was a result of EvoLux's successful
investment evaluation presentation, and Sikorsky funding was
matched through the Pre-Seed Fund from Connecticut Innovations, an
organization that helps Connecticut businesses grow and the sixth most
active early-stage investor nationwide. EvoLux will continue to
reside in the Stamford Innovation Center (iCenter) and is closing
its first round of investment funding before launching its first
product in key U.S. markets later this year.
"In engaging the community over the past two years we've
realized that those that fit the definition of an 'entrepreneur' —
those with the drive, passion, and the risk-taking leadership style
to disrupt the industry in which they work —can be found anywhere
from a backyard garage to a Fortune 500 company," said Chris Van Buiten, vice president of Sikorsky
Innovations. "As Sikorsky enters its next 90 years of aviation
innovation, we are excited, through the Entrepreneurial Challenge,
to support innovators across all technology domains and company
structures whose vision and determination have the potential to
dramatically alter the vertical lift market."
"The most common misconception I've heard from entrepreneurs is
that they believe they need to have aviation expertise to work with
Sikorsky," said Jonathan Hartman,
disruptive technologies lead for Sikorsky Innovations. "While
Sikorsky is searching for those with expertise inside our market,
more importantly we are searching for leaders across other
technology domains who can leverage the resources and network of a
Fortune 500 company to create value across multiple industries. We
encourage any innovator, inventor or entrepreneur, anywhere, to
take the Challenge and join Sikorsky Innovations' network of
partners working to Spark What's
Next™."
"Working with Sikorsky Innovations this past year has allowed
our team to learn the economic landscape of the market, refine our
business model, gain insight from customers, and build out
technical specifications for our platform. It also has allowed us
to build a strong relationship with Sikorsky. We are grateful to
have had this opportunity to work so closely with Sikorsky as we
transitioned from a startup with a small functioning prototype, to
an emerging growth company with a robust and scalable platform,"
said EvoLux founder, Raymond
Leavitt.
To take the Challenge or learn more, visit the Challenge's
website at http://www.sikorsky.com/EChallenge. Applications are
due to Sikorsky Innovations by 5 p.m.
EDT on Friday, Oct. 3.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in
helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies
Corp., based in Hartford,
Connecticut, provides a broad range of high technology
products and support services to the aerospace and building systems
industries.
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SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.