Sprint Challenge Brief:

Membrane Filtration Technology

Submissions Closed

The ability to filter and separate materials from one another is crucial to modern life across a diverse range of industries. Whether removing grounds from a cup of coffee to creating drinking water from sea water to vaccine development and production, the quality and effectiveness of many products depends on effective filtration.

TechConnect Ventures' client, a global leader in filtration, seeks innovations which increase the sustainability of membrane materials. Pathways of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Bio-based filtration membrane materials,
  • Biodegradable membrane materials,
  • Filtration membrane materials harvested from waste streams of other industries,
  • Novel formats for existing materials which increase their recyclability,
  • New materials utilizing sustainably sourced raw materials,
  • Innovative technologies to recycle existing filtration membranes, and/or
  • Technologies to clean existing filtration membranes for re-use.

embranes for all end-use applications and all development maturities are in scope, provided that the proposed technology demonstrates an enhancement in sustainability compared to conventional alternatives.

The goal of this sprint is to facilitate contact and interactions between the sponsor and active researchers or technology developers. Our client seeks submissions and novel concepts from individuals and organizations in academia and research, but all viable technology providers are invited to respond for potential commercial opportunities with the client.


Submission requirements:

Solvers submitting an entry should highlight key innovation areas in their submission that meet criteria including:

  • Description of proposed membrane material
  • Anticipated end-use application(s)
  • Anticipated filtration performance
  • Anticipated sustainability enhancement(s) versus alternatives
  • Technical maturity

Business Opportunity for Solvers

TechConnect will include all complete and eligible entries in an exclusive Innovation Opportunity Report for our client. Either TechConnect or the client may contact solvers with well-matched capabilities to discuss potential partnership opportunities, including – but not limited to – demonstrations, consulting, contract research, licensing, and more. TechConnect will invite top rated entries  to pitch at TechConnect World in Washington, D.C. in June 2022. Audience members will include corporate, investment, and federal prospectors with purchasing authority.


Participation Rules & Guidelines

Solvers are encouraged to review the Rules and Guidelines provided on the Sprint page for details about participation, including submission criteria, eligibility information, and more.


Download Challenge Brief

QUESTIONS? Contact challenge@techconnectventures.com