Sikorsky contest targets defiance of gravity

Sikorsky Innovations launched its fourth “Entrepreneurial Challenge,” a competition “to accelerate companies and individuals with applications in the vertical flight market.”

Sikorsky Innovations is the technology development arm of Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., which in turn is a subsidiary of publicly traded United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford.

This year Sikorsky unveiled a new set of challenge questions, refreshed rules and rewards ”“ all aimed at attracting entrepreneurial companies to address some of the toughest challenges facing vertical flight.

The changes include: Qualified applicants must have 1 to 100 employees and no annual revenue cap is now imposed.

Additionally, a portion of the challenge questions will remain constant throughout the next few iterations of the competition, allowing for strong work to find hope for future success instead of the waste bin.

Winning teams will be granted shared services within the CTNEXT entrepreneurial ecosystem for a year, and, upon completion, will receive an investment evaluation by Sikorsky. A period of rent-free access to the Stamford Innovation Center, which has been part of the winning prize pack since the inception of the challenge, will now be optional for all winning applicants.

“The Entrepreneurial Challenge is more than a recognition of achievement, it is an opportunity to open new channels of communication with dynamic small businesses,” said Chris Van Buiten, vice president of Sikorsky Innovations. “Sikorsky Aircraft is celebrating its 90th anniversary, a milestone it has reached because it is a company that constantly innovates. Creating strategic relationships with innovative entrepreneurs is an important dimension of the innovation process that will enable us to continue being the leader in vertical flight solutions.”

The challenge features five questions, and more information, at http://bit.ly/1cjH2dH. Applications are due by Nov. 1.