Boston, MA – April 16, 2015 – Access to external feedback early in the development process is critical for building successful innovative products. For large companies, such access is easily obtained; for startup companies, however, industry feedback is hard to come by. To assist entrepreneurs in that effort, Fraunhofer TechBridge (a program of Fraunhofer CSE) and Greentown Labs have teamed up to launch PROPEL, a six-month program for startups to refine their prototypes, obtain customer feedback, and develop their businesses for success in the market.
With the vision of a smarter, interconnected world, PROPEL is seeking complementary innovations in self-powered Wireless Sensor-Actuator Networks that can radically change how we interact with our surroundings. The program, sponsored by Shell GameChanger, is seeking startups that are:
- Creating technologies for distributed sensing and actuation networks;
- Developing prototypes and/or integrated systems for customer validation;
- Looking to develop strategic partnerships with industry as a potential go-to-market strategy;
- Interested and able to relocate to Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA for the duration of the program.
Companies accepted into the competitive program will receive up to $10,000 in non-dilutive funding; focused technical guidance from Fraunhofer TechBridge for prototype development and system integration; expert feedback from PROPEL’s network of industry strategic partners and investors; and incubation space and membership at Greentown Labs.
“TechBridge has hosted a variety of startup challenges in the past, but PROPEL is unique in the way it packages the greater Boston innovation ecosystem,” said Dr. Johanna Wolfson, TechBridge Program Lead at Fraunhofer CSE. “The cohort of startups selected for the program will have access to Fraunhofer’s technical expertise, Greentown Labs’ incubation resources, and the broader network of industry strategic partners, investors, and innovators across the energy arena.”
For more detail: PROPEL Program Seeks Startups with Innovations in Distributed Sensing & Intervention
