Background

In collaboration with a range of international companies, TechConnect Ventures is calling for innovations for coating materials that can be applied to non-steel lightweight materials such as high strength plastics, aluminum, magnesium, alloys, and composites. Many industries are facing pressure from sustainability initiatives and environmental regulations to replace traditional steel parts with lighter weight materials, especially in the automotive industry. Coating such surfaces with a similar uniform, high-quality finish such as currently possible for conventional steel faces a variety of challenges including pretreatment, corrosion protection, adhesive compatibility, surface roughness, and the need to accommodate multiple substrates.

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Requirements

Solvers submitting an Entry should make efforts to address the following key focus areas in their Submission (if applicable):

• Low temperature cure systems
• Cross-linking technologies
• Durability and re-coatability
• Corrosion resistance across mixed materials
• Online or inline coating methods
• Adhesives and adhesion process on modified surfaces
• General applicability across multiple substrates

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Business Opportunity for Solvers

All complete and eligible Entries will be included in our exclusive Innovation Opportunity Report that will be presented the innovation-seeking clients and partners. Solvers with well-matched capabilities may be contacted directly by consortium members to discuss potential partnership opportunities. Top-rated Entries may also be invited to register or participate in an upcoming TechConnect Ventures event or pitch program.

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Participation Rules & Guidelines

1. You must complete the provided Submission webform on the Sprint Submission page.
2. You are encouraged to submit a short presentation or pitch deck. A template is available on the Submission page.
3. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION MARKED CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, SENSITIVE OR CLASSIFIED. SUBMISSIONS MARKED AS SUCH WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH CLIENTS.

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

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Download Challenge Brief

QUESTIONS? Contact Executive Director, Nick Kacsandi at info@techconnectventures.com