Application Guidelines

Applicants can be at a variety of stages, from development stage to startups to second and third round venture stage. However, priority will be given to applicants that have a functioning prototype or beta version of the applicant's product or technology. Regardless of stage, successful applicants will showcase technology that is:

• a Platform Technology that could spawn many products,
• Close to Market, having few barriers remaining to commercial application and
• First in Space, having the potential to give rise to a whole new industry,

All applicants should be seeking either commercialization partners or growth capital. Ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate initial success in attracting outside funding, which may be in the form of research grants or seed capital.

Applications are open to the general public. However, priority will be given to applicants affiliated with, supported or sponsored by a Federal Lab or University. If your technology derived from research conducted at a federal lab or university research facility, be sure to indicate so in the application.

If the applicant represents a breakthrough technology not yet part of a new enterprise, the presenter should be one of the founding researchers.

If the applicant represents an existing business, the presenter should be part of the company's senior management team (Founding Researcher, CEO, CTO, COO, CFO, VP Business Development). Ideally, the founder or CEO is expected to present.

There are no industry restrictions for prospective applicants. However, priority will be given to companies seeking capital within industries known to attract venture capital. Favored sectors include lifescience, advanced materials, nanotech, energy, software, semiconductor, chemical, and industrial machining/manufacturing.