How to Enter & FAQ
- How do I enter a competition?
- Do I have to answer all of the questions in one sitting?
- Can I make changes once I've submitted my entry?
- Can I submit more than one entry?
- Why should I enter a competition?
- Do I have to pay to enter a competition?
- If I enter the Fundamental Ideas Challenge, do I have to enter the Lab Demonstration Challenge in 2012?
- Will you claim the intellectual property rights of my idea or product?
- Are there any provisions regarding ownership of the developed IP?
- Are there participant restrictions?
- Can I submit more than one idea?
If you have further questions that aren't addressed here, please check out our discussion forum as one of your fellow entrants may have already asked something similar. You must be a member of our internal network to view and contribute to the discussion forum, but registration is free and easy. Alternatively, you can email the ESC team.
Entries should be made via the OmniCompete Internal Network. Not already a member? Register here to become a member of the free OmniCompete Internal Network (Members of the OmniCompete Internal Network also receive notifications when new competitions are announced).
When are you are logged in you will be able to access 'My Dashboard' and view all open competitions. You can enter your submission through links provided on this page. The submission consists of filling out a questionnaire about yourself and your product/idea.
Do I have to answer all of the questions in one sitting?
No, you can save your work and return to it later.
Can I make changes once I've submitted my entry?
No, once you've submitted your entry you cannot make additions or changes. However, you are able to save an entry and review it several times before submitting.
Can I submit more than one entry?
No, each individual/company can only submit one entry.
Why should I enter a competition?
There are many benefits to entering a competition. Finalists have the opportunity to present their products/ideas live to an audience of industry, government, investors, venture capitalists and fellow innovators. This exposure and networking opportunities at final summits (which finalists attend for free) are truly invaluable. Winners benefit from significant prize funds, high-quality mentorship (depending on the competition) and increased credibility and publicity.
Do I have to pay to enter a competition?
No, none of our competitions have entry fees. You simply need to sign up to the OmniCompete online community, which is also free.
If I enter the Fundamental Ideas Challenge, do I have to enter the Lab Demonstration Challenge in 2012?
No, entry in Year 1 neither guarantees nor excludes entry in Year 2. However, it's unlikely that some will be able to successfully enter Years 1, 2 and 3, as Year 1 (Fundamental Ideas Challenge) seeks ideas that are 5-10 years from realisation; Year 2 (Lab Demonstration Challenge) seeks products that are 2-5 years from being market-ready; Year 3 (Full Demonstration Challenge) seeks products that are ready for market.
Will you claim the intellectual property rights of my idea or product?
No, your ideas remain your own. We simply want to reward and promote good ideas/products, to foster further innovation. In the rare occasion that we run or support a competition that has different implications for IPR, we will make this very clear to all entrants.
Are there any provisions regarding ownership of the developed IP?
The competition is designed to provide entrants with an opportunity to present their energy storage technology idea before a panel of judges and venture capitalists. Intellectual property will not be transferred by reason of entry to the Energy Storage Challenge, and will remain with its owner. However, whilst it is anticipated that professional norms will prevail throughout the competition, entrants and their businesses, companies and firms enter the Energy Storage Challenge's competitions entirely at their own risk. Opportunities to network effectively, and market one's ideas to judges, partners and investors, will require that you and your team are able to talk relatively freely about your idea and the technology it employs. The organizers of the competition are committed to maintaining confidentiality. It is standard practice not to sign a confidentiality agreement in situations such as this. However, the judges are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards when reviewing plans.
Are there participant restrictions?
In order to be eligible, entrants must be an individual, partnership or company able to receive money from a US government agency.
Can I submit more than one idea?
You are permitted to submit multiple entries. However, it's not possible to submit more than one entry form per account, nor to create more than one account with the same email address, so you will need you use different email addresses for each entry. If you are entering on behalf of a group or company, we recommend you give a different contact name for each entry for clarity's sake. Each entry is judged independently so multiple entries will not affect the score assigned to your idea. That being said, each idea must be unique. We reserve the right to limit the number of entries per organisation or individual at our discretion.
