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TELL US SOMETHING

How will your idea change the world?

West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and Sustainable Energy Fund are proud to present:

Energy Sprout is a statewide sustainable energy design competition. The competition focuses on two broad categories:

  • • Fostering the development and deployment of new innovative products and business models that will expand the use of sustainable energy in Pennsylvania.
  • • Fostering the development and deployment of innovative community-scale sustainable energy programs/ projects in Pennsylvania.



Semi-Final Round:

  • • Communities - Thursday June 16, 2016
  • • Businesses and Individuals - Friday June 17, 2016

Final Round:

  • • Thursday July 28, 2016


Presentations and Awards will be made at Energypath on July 28, 2016.

Competition

Energy Sprout is a competition designed to promote new or innovative products and business models in sustainable energy throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There are two divisions of competition: Businesses/Individuals and Communities.

Sustainable Energy

Entries must impact one or more of the three pillars of sustainable energy: renewable energy, energy efficiency, or energy conservation.

Business and Individual Grants

The top three entries for the business/individual division will be awarded a seed (or sprout) grant of:
1) $100,000 for 1st place
2) $25,000 for second place
3) $3,000 for third place


Community Grants

The top three entries for the community division will be awarded a seed (or sprout) grant of:
1) $25,000 for 1st place
2) $5,000 for second place
3) $3,000 for third place

Eligibility Guidelines

Energy Sprout is open to Pennsylvania-based businesses, Pennsylvania-registered non-profit organizations, local governments in Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania residents.

  • • Winning funds must be used to start or propel a sustainable energy business venture or to support a community program/ project.
  • • Entries must impact one or more of the three pillars of sustainable energy: renewable energy, energy efficiency, or energy conservation.
  • • Must successfully pass pre-screening requirements.



Business and Individual Projects

Individual and team plans will be considered based upon the following criteria:

  • • Impact of Energy Sprout funding to assist applicant with taking proposed technology/business models to marketplace.
  • • Is the proposal an emerging technology, business model or both?
  • • Is the team solving a significant problem?
  • • Does the team have significant evidence that the project is viable (includes working prototype, letters of intent, purchase contracts, sales and partners)?
  • • Detailed description for use of prize money to fund further development or technology or business.


Community Projects

Community plans will be considered based upon the following criteria:

  • • Impact of Energy Sprout funding to develop/ deploy new community programs with regional-scale.
  • • Does the applicant have experience and a proven track record of designing/deploying community-scale sustainable energy programs?
  • • Does the project have broad public support to ensure success?
  • • Does the project have well defined goals and effective community outreach plan?
  • • Can the project be easily adopted by other communities in Pennsylvania and if so, how?


Submission Requirements

Submissions are now closed.

All teams and communities must adhere to the submission guidelines and be received by 4:00 p.m. on May 3rd, 2016.

Submission will be received by WPPSEF at
The Pennsylvania State University
Attn: Joel Morrison (c/o Energy Sprout Competition)
C-211 CUL
University Park, PA 16802


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is hosting the Energy Sprout competition?

The competition is a collaborative effort between the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and Sustainable Energy Fund.

Does my entry need to be a new company or product?

The competition is open to new and existing companies, communities and individuals.

Who is Energy Sprout for?

Energy Sprout is open to all residents of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania based business entities.

What topic must my project be related to?

Entries must impact one or more of the three pillars of sustainable energy: renewable energy, energy efficiency, or energy conservation.

When are entries due?

All teams and communities must adhere to the submission guidelines and be received by 4:00 p.m. on May 3rd, 2016.

What do winning teams or individuals win at Energy Sprout?

The top three entries in the business division will be awarded a seed (or sprout) grant of:
$100,000 for 1st place
$25,000 for second place
$3,000 for third place.


The top three entries in the community division will be awarded a seed (or sprout) grant of:
$25,000 for 1st place
$5,000 for second place
$3,000 for third place.

How can I use the Energy Sprout grant?

Winning funds must be used to start or propel a business venture or community project.

Have another question?

Email Sustainable Energy Fund and we’ll answer any question you might have.

Contact Us

We are looking for media partners, general contracting partners, materials and donation partners.

Sustainable Energy Fund
P | 610-264-4440
E | energysprout@thesef.org
W | www.thesef.org

West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund
P | 814-441-1100
E | wppsef@ems.psu.edu
W | www.wppsef.org