2014 Ben Franklin Shale Gas Contest – $100K in Cash Prizes!

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Calling all researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators working in the shale gas space in PA or WV: The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (SGICC) is back with another contest, this time with $100,000 in cash prizes to split between the four best shale gas-oriented innovations/new products/new service ideas. The “new” thing must be in development stage or recently launched to qualify. The 2014 contest will be the third year running that the SGICC has held this contest and is the largest purse so far (for the 2013 winners, see: Envelope Please: Winners of Shale Gas Innovation Contest are…).

On a personal note, MDN editor Jim Willis had the opportunity to meet Bill Hall, director of the SGICC at Shale Insight in September in Philadelphia. Bill helms a terrific organization and this contest, over the past several years, has done fabulous work in helping to shine a spotlight on worthy, up-and-coming businesses that have gone on to make a difference in shale drilling in the northeast and beyond. Think of the SGICC contest as a cross between Shark Tank and American Idol–only a whole lot easier! Here’s the details for this year’s contest…

Are you a researcher, entrepreneur, or innovator working in the shale gas space in Pennsylvania or West Virginia? The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center www.sgicc.org announced today the program will award a total of $100,000 in cash prizes for the four best shale gas-oriented innovations, new product ideas, or service concepts that are either in the development stage or recently launched.

In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants will gain exposure to investors, potential partners, and industry sponsors. This traditional Pennsylvania event has been expanded to include West Virginia through a grant from the Benedum Foundation. The 3rdAnnual Shale Gas Innovation Contest is co-sponsored by Ben Franklin Technology Partners (//www.benfranklin.org), ANGA (www.anga.us), Acorn Energy (//acornenergy.com), AquaTech (www.aquatech.com), Baker Hughes (www.bakerhughes.com), Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (www.cabotog.com), Chevron Technology Ventures (//www.chevron.com/ctv/ctvi/), CONSOL Energy (www.consolenergy.com), Chesapeake Energy (www.chk.com), First National Bank (www.fnb-online.com ), GE Oil & Gas (//www.ge-energy.com), Little Pine Resources (//littlepineresources.com), the Marcellus Shale Coalition (//marcelluscoalition.org), Praxair (www.praxair.com), Range Resources (//www.rangeresources.com/), and Seneca Resources Corporation (//natfuel.com/seneca/).

Bill Hall, Director of the SGICC remarked, “What’s great about this competition is that a simple online summary is all that’s required to get started. Any idea related to the shale gas space is eligible – even if the product or service has already been commercially developed. Examples include natural gas utilization products/services, remote site monitoring, well pad EH&S products or services, natural gas or NGL conversion technologies, and water management or remediation technologies.”

Finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry experts. To download an application, visit www.sgicc.org and click on the $100,000 Shale Gas Innovation Contest tab. Deadline to enter is February 1, 2014.

For details regarding eligibility or other questions, contact Bill Hall at either 814-933-8203 or [email protected].

About the SGICC

The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The Center’s goal is to increase sustainable employment and wealth creation in Pennsylvania that has the potential to outlast the initial exploration, production and transportation of natural gas from the formations. The Center will also identify, support and commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset.*

*Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (Nov 6, 2013) – Announcing the $100,000 Shale Gas Innovation Contest – Win One of Four $25,000 Prizes!