The Sikorsky Entrepreneurial Challenge

Spark What’s Next™

Submit Your Idea.  Win Cash.  Collaborate with an Industry Leader.

Sikorsky Innovations, the advanced research organization of a world leader in vertical flight solutions, is looking for your ideas!  Through the Entrepreneurial Challenge, now in its third year, the organization identifies potential collaborators that can help solve some of the toughest industry challenges.

Awardees will gain entry to an extensive network of technical experts, business mentors, strategic team members, potential customers and experienced investors.

The Mission

Sikorsky Innovations holds the Entrepreneurial Challenge to highlight and support revolutionary ideas, ventures and innovators whose technology is highly relevant to one of its identified focus area.  Each focus area (outlined below) represents current company technology needs for production aircraft and processes.

Sikorsky is looking for agile technology leaders across all industry domains that embody the entrepreneurial spirit, passion, and management style to complement the qualities of an established industry leader and creatively address the toughest problems in vertical flight. The company encourages individuals or teams incubating new ideas around the globe, whether working in a garage or in a Fortune 500 company, to apply.

 
The Prizes
The Winner of the competition will be eligable for a $25K non-dilutive cash prize.

Winners of the Entrepreneurial Challenge will also have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with Sikorsky to validate their products and explore opportunities.
• Leverage the resources and network of the Stamford Innovation Center.
• Access mentoring program, education workshops, and events across Connecticut's entrepreneurial network, CTNEXT, for one year.
• Receive an investment evaluation from the Sikorsky Entrepreneurial Panel following incubation.

Most of all, Winners and Awardees of the Entrepreneurial Challenge will be able to leverage Sikorsky's industry knowledge and relationships.

In addition, Sikorsky reserves the right to name to other classes of award winners: Special Recognition   and Honorable Mention. 

These two classes of awardees will also have the opportunity to work with Sikorsky to explore opportunities. 

All prizes and awards are subject to the Terms & Conditions found in the Application Package.

Connect and Learn More

Keep up to date with all of the latest Entrepreneurial Challenge news and insights. Visit TechAloft, a blog curated by the Stamford Innovation Center, to keep up to date on all of the insights posted for each focus area by the Entrepreneurial Challenge team. Exclusive interviews and content from industry experts are posted regularly.

Challenge Schedule

Focus Areas

• Background: Multiple sources of data are now available to support a) pilots who need to maintain visual awareness while obtaining new information or b) a passenger that wants information overlaid on the scenery outside. Robust, reliable systems to deliver that data are needed. 
• The Requirement: Hardware and/or software solutions that can transform any hard, transparent surface into an on-demand, interactive data center with sunlight readable quality. Solution would enable the overlay of multi-media data, including augmented reality applications, on the real time visual environment. 

• Background: Two key use cases have been identified for robust, high bandwidth data transmission: (1) Helicopter rotor blades, wind turbine blades, maritime propellers, jet turbine components and many other rotating elements are critical to the operation of modern vehicles. Sensors mounted on these components generate valuable real-time data pertaining to safety and reliability. But transmission of this data in real time is currently bandwidth and reliability limited, and (2) High data rate, “underwater WiFi” communication needs are developing in multiple areas. Current technologies either have limited data rates or short working distances. Methods to improve the ability to transfer data faster and farther while underwater are needed.
• The Requirement: A solution that creates and manages robust, reliable transmission of real-time data from either: a rotating element to a fixed frame, or, from one point to another underwater.

• Background: Complex precision parts are created from expensive raw materials, increasing the cost of scrap and rework. Early detection, even anticipation, of machining distortion or manufacturing errors could lead to zero scrap parts and significant cost reductions.
• The Requirement: Digital manufacturing tools and technologies, including simulation, detection, corrective algorithms, and trend recognition, are sought as part of this envisioned solution to improve quality control in the production of precision parts.

• Background: The efficiency of engine technology has driven the performance advances of aircraft since the beginning of aviation, with the Brayton Cycle defining modern propulsion technology for the last half century. Other thermodynamic cycles exist with theoretically higher efficiencies and system level benefits unachievable with the Brayton engine. 
• The Requirement: Engine technology scalable up to 1000 hp and commercially available within the next decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I’ve read through the Entrepreneurial Challenge Application Kit, and I am confused. I thought this was a business plan competition. I am correct that the first round application is only a 5 page business summary? 
   
   Yes, a 5 page business summary that conforms to the requirements outlined in the Entrepreneurial Challenge Application Kit is the requirement for the first round application. It is the intent of the Entrepreneurial Challenge to locate cutting edge products with a substantiated business plan, so emphasis in both the first and final judging round is placed on the team’s understanding of the technology/product and commercialization strategy. No formal business plan will be evaluated by the judging panel.
2. My product applies to one of the Focus Areas, but my business is based away from the New England area. Do I have to be willing to relocate?  
   
   No, relocation is not required. It is however suggested and considered valuable to have at least part of your team in Stamford, Connecticut. Relocating allows the contestant to derive the most benefit from the collaboration, given the close proximity to Sikorsky world headquarters. Moving to Connecticut also provides access to the Northeast innovation community, potential private and state funding, mentors, and workshops to help accelerate your business. It will not be considered when judging your submission, but please state in your application if you believe your team will not take advantage of the relocation option.
3. I work at a large company as part of small team.  The team has a revolutionary product still in development or not currently on the market that could have a strong application to Sikorsky’s current or future products.  Should I apply? 
   
   Yes, individuals and teams that have a disruptive technology or process are encouraged to apply to the Entrepreneurial Challenge, whether they work as part of a standalone entrepreneurial startup or as part of a Fortune 500 company.  The passion, commitment, and risk-taking leadership traits that define an entrepreneur are not limited to those working in small companies, and the intent of the Entrepreneurial Challenge is to identify and support revolutionary ideas wherever they are being developed.  As long as your team meets the requirements defined in the Entrepreneurial Challenge Application Kit, you are eligible to apply to the Challenge.
4. My company has a product with potential benefits to Sikorsky, but it is currently being offered as a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solution.  Is there an opportunity for us to work with Sikorsky?  
   
   Yes, Sikorsky and Sikorsky Innovations engage with companies of all sizes that offer novel technologies and services. If you are a  business with an existing product that does not qualify for the Entrepreneurial Challenge, but is not yet a part of Sikorsky’s products or services, please contact us at EChallenge@sikorsky.com so that we can learn more about the opportunity.
5. I am a current college student that is trying to start a company, but I am not currently spending a full time equivalent on my idea. If my team is a new entrepreneurial venture, and winning the Entrepreneurial Challenge would allow us to start working on our idea, can we still qualify?  
   
   Yes, teams may do so. The rule is intended to convey that all applicants must be willing to dedicate a full time person to their venture if selected.
   
   However, if your team does not have a full time equivalent person developing the idea, clearly state so in your application and explain the reasons for that. As the judging criteria in the Entrepreneurial Challenge Kit  indicates, first round applications will be strongly judged on the competency of the assembled team, a category that would be given additional consideration if the venture is still maturing. All teams are strongly encouraged to show in their application that their team has both the management and technical experience necessary to mature and commercialize their offering.
6. Can international applicants apply to the Entrepreneurial Challenge? 
   
   Yes, any team that meets the requirements of the Entrepreneurial Challenge (as outlined in the Application Kit) is eligible to apply. International applicants do not need to have a U.S. based subsidiary in order to apply.