The Saint-Gobain NOVA Innovation Competition rewards start-ups offering the most innovative solutions in the field of habitat, sustainable products, advanced materials, renewable energy sources and high-efficiency building solutions.
Competition Overview
The 2015 winners will be awarded cash prizes totaling $100,000:
- $50,000 for the first prize
- $25,000 for the second prize
- $15,000 for the third prize
Finalists will be announced during the Greenbuild 2015 international conference and expo, November 18-19, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
Application Deadline
Applicants can submit their entries from January 12 to June 19, 2015.
Who Can Apply?
Start-ups that propose novel technologies or services within this 6 focus areas are encouraged to apply:
- Building materials and easy-to-install solutions that improve energy efficiency, safety, comfort (visual, acoustic, thermal), air quality and durability.
- New materials for use in energy applications, such as renewable energy production, energy storage and conversion.
- Clean technology, like biomass, bio-polymers, low CO2 footprint materials and recycling.
- Systems and solutions that integrate natural or artificial light into buildings and automobiles for enhanced comfort.
- Construction services: software solutions, value-added services for craftsmen, renovation and energy performance.
- Innovative technologies for demanding industrial applications (abrasives, ceramics, crystals, glass and plastics).
Your Technology Could Be Next!
Heliotrope Technologies, a U.S. Department of Energy’s Small Business Innovation Research funding recipient, earned top honors at the 2012 NOVA Innovation Competition for developing energy-efficient electrochromic glass. The glass has the ability to switch reversibly between three states: solar transparent, heat blocking, and heat and light blocking (i.e. darkened). Currently working with Saint-Gobain, Heliotrope's technology can be relevant to a range of windows products, including buildings, satellites and automobiles. This smart window technology leverages a novel electrochromic effect to control light and heat transmission dynamically. Minimal power is consumed during switching and almost none is used to maintain either of the two solar blocking states. This yields great flexibility for system integration and low cost installation.