ACCELERATING TOMORROW’S LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
The Next Challenge: Lighting will spur the development of innovative energy technology solutions and identify ground-breaking opportunities to drive product differentiation. For complete details and information, go to: http://www.nextenergy.org/nextchallenge/
The NextChallenge: Lighting is a global innovation challenge developed to identify advanced lighting technology ideas, concepts and intellectual properties. In partnership with Ford Motor Company and RecoveryPark, NextChallenge: Lighting is aimed at driving innovation, energy savings and economic development.
For each challenge, winners will be awarded up to $80,000 in cash and/or in-kind support to further development and demonstration for the selected innovation(s).
- Michigan-based applicants may be eligible for up to $80,000 in cash and/or in-kind support
- Non Michigan-based applicants may be eligible for up to $40,000 in cash and/or in-kind support, or more depending on the interest of the industry partner.
This is your opportunity to unleash your innovative solutions and build relationships with industry partners. Be a part of tomorrow’s energy solutions and apply today!
KEY DATES: |
|
| Request for solutions (RFS) issued | November 19, 2014 |
| Webinar – details and registration here. | February 5, 2015 |
| RFS responses due by 11:59 p.m. EST via online portal | March 6, 2015 |
| Reviewing process | March – April 2015 |
| Semi-finalists notified | April 2015 |
| Innovation pitch days | April 2015 |
| Finalists notified | May 2015 |
Ford Motor Company is seeking to identify new, innovative automotive lighting ideas that can be incorporated into its products that help add value and product differentiation to its portfolio for the benefit of their customers. The goal is to spur the development of advanced lighting solutions and identify highly innovative opportunities for Ford Motor Company that will drive product differentiation, energy savings and technology innovation. Solutions should address one or more of the following technology breakthroughs or concepts:
- Feather weighting
- Design for manufacture
- Interior lighting
- Structural lighting
- Lifecycle
Headquartered in Dearborn, MI, Ford Motor Company focuses on developing vehicles that deliver exceptional value to its customers across global markets. Apply here.
RecoveryPark, a major urban farming operation located in Detroit, is seeking to identify new, innovative lighting ideas that will optimize agricultural lighting systems for greenhouses to increase agricultural yields while maximizing energy efficiency. The goal is to spur the development of advanced lighting solutions and identify highly innovative opportunities for RecoveryPark that will increase its capacity to meet growing demand by driving sustainable urban agricultural production, job creation, energy savings and technology innovation. Solutions should address one or more of the following technology breakthroughs and corresponding benefits:
- Lighting spectrum
- Lighting augmentation/supplementation
- Localized lighting control
- Daylight reflectors and/or advanced optics
- LED daylight emulators
- Direct current (DC) distribution systems integrated with solar systems and low current lighting
- System approach solutions
Located in Detroit, RecoveryPark is a collaborative initiative to create economic renewal by utilizing unused urban space for high-tech agriculture based businesses. Apply here.
