Contact: Joshua Morby 414.791.9120
jmorby@m-werc.org
Milwaukee – Ten start-up teams from four different countries, as well as six based here in Milwaukee, will take place in the 2016 fall program of WERCBench Labs.
This year’s teams bring technologies that range from increasing efficiency through integrated solar systems to smart stoves carrying a multi-solution platform for developing countries.
Thanks to the support of the State of Wisconsin through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), M-WERC is able to run and fund this unique start-up program. Each team will receive a $10,000 grant at the beginning of the program. Teams that meet all program expectations and complete the program will receive an additional $10,000 in the form of an investment, using a royalty-based financing mechanism.
“WEDC congratulates the new teams and we look forward to seeing the progress of these entrepreneurs as they work closely with some of the top mentors in the field to spur innovation,” said Tricia Braun, Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “WERCBench Labs is a great example of how WEDC can help extend the investment of private industry to support future long-term competitiveness and economic growth in Wisconsin.”
“We’re especially excited about the way this year’s class of entrepreneurs aligns with M-WERC’s mission to support the energy, power and controls industries here in Wisconsin,” said M-WERC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Alan Perlstein.
“This second group of start-up companies and cutting-edge technologies is a great complement to the class that graduated in August,” said Jeff Anthony Managing Director of WERCBench Labs. Anthony will lead and coordinate all of the efforts of the program which starts October 6 and ends in January 2017.
New this year, WERCBench Labs will partner with The Center for Technology Commercialization, The Commons and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. The WERCBench Labs team is also exploring future partnerships to support the building and testing of emerging technologies.
Participants in the program will also have access to M-WERC’s network of more than 90 world-class mentors.
enDrone is developing a large, hybrid multi-copter drone with high endurance and payload capabilities to suit agricultural needs of crop spraying and dusting.
Half Moon Power has invented a proprietary inverter technology that will enable homes and businesses to go off-grid at a dramatically lower cost.
Iconac helps water utilities and district heating/cooling systems solve the buried infrastructure information gap through their Toanl Pipe Assessment technology.
Improovment is developing sensor-based technology providing a solution to provide Manufacturers insight into the utilization and flow of their work cells and plant floor.
Navasard Technologies invented PURESINE, a fully-featured solar system in the form factor of a solar panel with a potential to maximize efficiency and improve returns on investments.
Process Machine, by bringing new technologies to the industry provides technology solutions for Smart Grid, Smart Building, Water & Waste Water, Smart Rail, Smart City applications.
SciArt, LLC provides an cloud based design generation tool for design engineers to optimize strength and functionality or projects.
STEMhero Empowers students and connects teachers to solve the water and energy crisis.
Terraoak provides innovative clean tech solutions through a patent-pending stove that significantly reduces smoke-emissions and generates electricity from heat.
Hydroponics Innovation is working on a technology to create an intelligent controlling system that regulates factors such as heat, lighting, nutrients and humidity to automatically gain a desired production of crops.
More information on WERCBench Labs and a preview of future efforts can be found at wercbench.com.
