Fwd: 2014 Polsinelli Innovation Competition Accepting Entries

GLOBAL MIDWEST ALLIANCE & MIDWEST RESEARCH UNIVERSITY NETWORK   present the       Polsinelli Innovation Competition    Entries Due July 25, 2014  DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM NOW  Global Midwest Alliance and the Midwest Research University Network (MRUN) are pleased to invite you to participate in the Polsinelli Innovation Competition.  The competition, now in its sixth year, is being held on October 23, 2014, during the Clean Technology Innovation, Growth and Globalization program, 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; and  Provide superior performance at lower costs.   Competition entries may include, but are not limited to, the areas of renewable and alternative energy, infrastructure and community, green building, food and agriculture, advanced manufacturing and distribution, water products, services and technologies, and logistics.      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 in the clean tech space as described above.   Applicants must have a sound business plan.   Ideally, applicants 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.    DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM NOW  Schedule   Last day to receive entries is July 25 (midnight CST).  Finalists will be notified of acceptance by August 29, 2014. The 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.  For more information, visit the Polsinelli Innovation Competition Web page or e-mail innovationcompetition@globalmidwestalliance.org.    News About Previous Winners Global Green Products LLC Wins 2013 Polsinelli Innovation Competition; Chicago-Area Companies HE System Technologies and Altium Energy, Inc. Named Runners-Up    Brinks Innovation Competition Finalist SiNode Systems Wins Department of Energy's Business Plan Competition                                                                  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.   SPONSOR THE CLEAN TECH INDUSTRY EVENT Global Midwest Alliance currently has a limited number of event sponsorships available for the 2014 Clean Technology Program on October 23, 2014. This is an excellent marketing opportunity that provides access and engagement with top decision makers, industry experts, and corporate executives in a variety of clean technology industry sectors.   Sponsoring an Alliance event is a great way to maximize your marketing investment. Your company will receive prime positioning on Alliance industry promotions throughout the year and premier exposure at the event itself.   Aligning your company with the Global Midwest Alliance Clean Tech Innovation, Growth & Globalization event will enhance your brand recognition and give you the opportunity to network with leaders in the manufacturing industry.  For more information on sponsorships and other opportunities, contact Gail Longmore at 312.286.0688 or  glongmore@globalmidwestalliance.org.   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 .