Fuel Cell Challenge 2010

An Innovation and Commercialization Competition

ROUND 1 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 30TH!

 

Apply Now Review Committee FAQs Criteria

 

About the Challenge: 
Columbia and South Carolina are emerging centers for investment in clean energy and clean technology. With concerns over energy security, climate change, and the next generation of economic development opportunities, clean technology investment has skyrocketed across the globe and is revolutionizing the
global energy economy. 

In an effort to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies in South Carolina, the USC-Columbia Fuel Cell is launching the Fuel Cell Challenge. The challenge is an innovation-based competition focused on identifying and commercializing novel hydrogen, fuel cell, and clean technologies in the industry. 

How It Works:
Teams from around the country are invited to compete by submitting innovative technologies and business plans for developing the next generation of products focused on hydrogen and fuel cell technology and its components. Teams can consist of start-up companies, collaborations, scientists, researchers, student teams, and any other group that is working on breakthrough technologies that have near term commercial viability.

Submission Requirements:
In an effort to streamline the review and approval process, submissions will be based on a two phase process. 

  • Phase I: Submission by project teams of a 1-2 page abstract and a competition questionnaire to screen and shortlist potential projects.
  • Phase II: Pending review and approval by the Fuel Cell Challenge review committee, project teams will be invited to submit a full proposal for review including a business plan, technology disclosure, and full application to the challenge.
  • All phase I submissions must be received by email only by no later than 5:00pm on July 30th, 2010. Email submissions to info@fuelcellcollaborative.com 
  • All phase II submissions must be received by email or hard copy by 5:00pm on September 3, 2010.
  • Submissions must include a corresponding business plan, a disclosure of intellectual property, and a financial disclosure (if applicable).
  • All submissions must include location of all current operations and a letter of commitment to relocate to locations specified within the contest information.

Review Committee:
The review committee for the Fuel Cell Challenge will represent a diverse group of leading industry partners covering the full range of clean technology activity from venture capitalists, scientists, technologists, to entrepreneurs and seasoned industry professionals. This review committee will make final recommendations on awards to be issued by the Fuel Cell Challenge program.   

Award Package:
Awards will be granted for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place submissions. Winning proposals will receive the following cash and support resources upon qualifying for competition criteria. 

Winning proposals will receive the following cash prizes in the form of non-return commercialization investments through the SCRA Industry Partners Fund and SC Launch, a program of SCRA:

  • $100K for 1st place (single award)
  • $50K for 2nd place (multiple awards)
  • $25K for 3rd place (multiple awards)

Note: Funding will be distributed in tranches, corresponding to successful completion of milestones in the company business plan and SC Launch performance tracking.

Award recipients will also receive the following additional (proposed) support resources:

  • Consideration for acceptance into the SC Launch Program, with corresponding start-up support from the SC Launch Resource Network
  • Business planning support from the USC-Columbia Fuel Cell Collaborative
  • Facilities relocation support to the USC-Columbia Technology Incubator, MTC Business Accelerator, the USC-SCRA Innovation Center, or Innovista IdeaLab
  • Marketing and communications support in the form of a press release, regional/national recognition, and promotional support for one year
  • Access to world class research support at the University of South Carolina’s NSF Center for Fuel Cells, the USC Future Fuels™ program, and the USC Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Center of Excellence.

 

Timeline (All dates are in 2010):

  • May 1   Fuel Cell Challenge Competition Officially Opens
  • May 4   Fuel Cell Challenge official project launch and media announcement at the NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo 2010
  • July 16   Round I Submissions deadline closes
  • August 6   Round I Submissions reviewed and approved/denied for round II
  • September 1   Deadline for Round II submissions closes
  • September 17   Submission review period ends
  • September 24   Recommendations for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finalists made for approval
  • October 4   1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finalists are notified
  • October 18   2010 Award winners announced at the Fuel Cell Seminar & Expo in San Antonio, TX
  • November 5   All company commitments, paperwork, and legal issues resolved and Fuel Cell Challenge 2010 officially ends