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New cash awards have been added to the business pitch competition that will be part of this year’s TransTech Energy (TTE) Business Development Conference.  The 2014 conference will be Nov. 12-13 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown.   The conference provides an opportunity to promote ideas and investment in new companies that can provide solutions to energy, environmental, and economic development challenges such as creating new jobs and more competitive industries.

“I’m really excited about some of the new additions for 2014,” said conference organizer Carl Irwin. “Start-up companies can learn about Autodesk’s really slick design/presentation software – and how to receive free software and technical assistance as an Autodesk Cleantech Partner. We are also expanding the number of angel and venture capital investors and potential strategic partners that participate. And we are looking forward to an energizing evening with WVU President E. Gordon Gee and keynote speaker Dr. Lee Todd, high tech company founder and former president of the University of Kentucky.”

Businesses, start-ups, or entrepreneurs with business ideas can make pitches and be eligible for a number of technical assistance and monetary awards.  But, only those who make a pitch will be eligible. The deadline to apply to make a pitch is Friday, September 5: http://TransTechEnergy.org.

Awards include:

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has earmarked $10,000 for Technical Assistance (TA) awards at the 2014 TTE. Start-Up Companies and Commercializable Projects that are based in the ARC Region and that make a pitch at TTE 2014 are eligible for an ARC TA award.

The WVU Research Office sponsors a $10,000 award for technical assistance to be provided by a WVU research group. All start-up companies and commercializable projects that make a pitch at TTE 2014 are eligible for the Research Office TA award.

Additional monetary awards of up to $30,000 are given for top-scoring pitches by start-up companies at TTE 2014.

There is no cost to make a pitch, and final decisions on all monetary and technical assistance awards are made by the 2014 TTE Awards Committee. At past TTE conferences more than 50 TTE start-up companies and projects representing 12 states have applied to make pitches.

TransTech Energy (TTE) refers to transitional technologies, strategies, apps and software that move businesses and industries along the pathway to a lower carbon, industrial competitive, sustainable economy of the future.  This could involve technologies related to industrial waste water reuse, hybrid energy systems, fast growing crops for biomass energy production, energy recycling systems, lightweight high-strength metals, new types of batteries, and more.

“This conference is a great opportunity for West Virginia entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their businesses and to win technical assistance and cash awards,” said Anne Barth, executive director of TechConnect. “And, an even greater benefit is in making connections with strategic partners and potential investors.”  TechConnect West Virginia is a co-sponsor of the conference, which first launched in 2012.

The conference also offers attendees with a wide range of presentations and demonstrations from industry and academic leaders (click to see agenda).  For more information on this conference visit http://TransTechEnergy.org.