Bossa Nova Robotics in Pittsburgh did it, turning its technology into a line of children's toys. Pittsburgh's Red Zone Robotics did it, too, creating a marketable, high-tech solution to sewer inspections.
Steel City Optronics in Sarver hopes to do it by building a compact airborne mapping system. And Wilkes-Barre's Data Makes the Difference is hoping to do it too, developing software and a web interface to monitor autistic behavior.
Now, maybe you can do it: that is turn an innovative idea in electronics or robotics into a commercial product or service.
Innovation Works will award up to $800,000 in technology commercialization funding to universities, early-stage and established companies anywhere in Pennsylvania. Individual projects are eligible for up to $100,000.
“The Technology Commercialization Initiative (TCI) aims to establish and grow a leading industry presence in Pennsylvania focused on market segments in digital multimedia, digital networking and robotics applications,” says Chuck Brandt, vice president, technology programs for Innovation Works.
TCI, now under the auspices of the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southwestern PA, has funded over 180 technology commercialization projects totaling $27.8 million in awards since its inception in 1999.
The current round of funding will be awarded through a competitive selection process for projects that address key engineering design challenges, show a high degree of innovation, and, most importantly, identify a clear path to commercialization with the potential to significantly impact digital and/or robotics-related companies in Pennsylvania.
Still want to do it? Draft proposal submissions for the current funding round are due Aug. 3, with final proposal submissions due Sept. 7.
Source: Chuck Brandt, Innovation Works
Writer: Elise Vider