Sikorsky’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Underway

by Scott Kesselman

Stratford, Connecticut-based Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., is hosting its Fifth Entrepreneurial Challenge, a competition to revolutionize technology in the vertical flight market.

The company has removed the previous employee count limitation for companies that enter.  Applications for this year’s contest are due at 5 p.m. on 3 Oct.

Last year’s winners included Iowa based Micoy Corp. for an advanced 3-D stereo imagery system and the team of Vision Engineering Solutions LLC and Plasmonics, Inc., from Orlando, Florida, for a laser warning and attribution system. Recognition was also given to work in advanced thermal coatings and materials.

“While Sikorsky is searching for those with expertise inside our market, more importantly we are searching for leaders across other technology domains who can leverage the resources and network of a Fortune 500 company to create value across multiple industries,” says Jonathan Hartman, Sikorsky’s disruptive technologies lead.  “We encourage any innovator, inventor or entrepreneur, anywhere, to take the challenge. …”