An Innovative Idea Could Make You a Big Winner!

Nov. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- STATE COLLEGE, PA – Are you a researcher, entrepreneur, or innovator working in the shale gas space?  The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (http://www.sgicc.org) which is focused on the development of environmentally sound processes for the extraction, utilization, and safe transportation of natural gas resources, announced today they are offering a total of $50,000 in cash prizes for the two best shale gas-oriented innovations, new product ideas, or service concepts.  In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants will gain exposure to industry sponsors, investors and partners!  
The categories include:  

•   Most Promising Research in a New Technology
•   Best New Product or Service

The Shale Gas Innovation Contest, which is co-sponsored by the Marcellus Shale Coalition (www.marcelluscoalition.org), Little Pine Resources (www.littlepineresources.com), Chesapeake Energy (http://www.chesapeake.com), First National Bank (http://www.fnb-online.com)  and Schlumberger (www.slb.com) was initially announced at the MSC Shale Gas Insight 2011 Conference’s Innovation Expo.  

Mr. William Hall, the Director of the SGICC remarked, “We’re hoping this contest will energize our region’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and researchers to offer up their best ideas to help maximize the economic return from this promising industry for all of Pennsylvania. The process is simple. A simple on-line summary is all it takes to get started.”

To be eligible, applicants cannot have received Ben Franklin funding in the past and must have a presence in, (or plan to re-locate to) one of the following 32 counties served by the Ben Franklin footprint.  See http://www.cnp.benfranklin.org for a full listing of eligible counties.

To download an application, visit innovationcontest.benfranklin.org.  The deadline for applications is January 30, 2012.

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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.