The Robert C. Byrd Institute for Advanced Flexible Manufacturing will host an innovation challenge to identify products and services that empower women and families, according to a statement.
The Byrd Institute's InnovateHER competition gives local entrepreneurs the chance to advance to a national competition in Washington, D.C., where they can compete for cash prizes up to $40,000, according to a statement released by the institute.
"Entrepreneurs and innovators in West Virginia consistently demonstrate their abilities to think outside the box using inventive ideas that improve the lives of ordinary citizens," Charlotte Weber, director and chief executive of the institute, said in the release. "The InnovateHER Competition is a unique opportunity to recognize these contributions, reward innovators financially and assist them in brining commercially viable ideas to market."
Those wishing to compete must submit a brief proposal and written business plan to the institute by Nov. 13, according to the release. A panel will review those submissions and select up to five people who then will pitch their ideas to judges at an institute event. One local winner will be selected and announced Nov. 23. That person will advance to the semifinal round, where U.S. Small Business Administration staffers will pick the national finalists. The Small Business Administration is sponsoring the competition.
The following criteria will be used in judging: has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30 percent); has the potential for commercialization (40 percent); fills a need in the marketplace (30 percent).
The competition is open to men and women, individuals or companies, non-profits and other agencies whose participants are at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens or permanent residents, according to the statement.
Submit a brief proposal describing your product or service and a business plan to information@rcbi.org to apply.