Sprint Challenge Brief:

Continuously Self-Cleaning Surfaces and Coatings

  Submissions Closed

BACKGROUND

In support of multiple global industrial partners, TechConnect Ventures is calling for Entries describing continuously self-cleaning surfaces and coatings for applications in high traffic or public environments.  High touch surfaces, such as those common in the travel, hospitality, education and healthcare sectors, are subject to extremely high cleanliness standards requiring constant, routine attention.  With the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, there has been a renewed urgency to identify viable, effective surfaces and surface-altering technologies which are continuously clean and contaminant-free. The goal of this Sprint is to identify novel materials, coatings, or surface modifications (including surface-altering techniques) that readily eliminate or reject contaminants (e.g. bacteria, viruses, toxins, etc.) without intensive external intervention or cleaning.

Relevant innovations may include materials, coatings or functional surfaces (anti-adhesive, antimicrobial, superhydrophobic, stimulus-responsive, etc.). Surfaces or activated surfaces which require casual wipe down with water or exposure to UV light to activate or clean a surface are also considered within the scope of this call.  Submissions and novel concepts from individuals and organizations at all levels are invited, including academia, research, commercial, and government.


Requirements

Solvers submitting an Entry should are encouraged to highlight key innovation areas in their Submission, with particular focus on (if applicable) surfaces and materials that are:

  • Safe and non-toxic
  • Do not require chemical cleaning
  • Self-cleaning with water, light, or other stimulus
  • Self-cleaning without water
  • Durable, robust, and damage-resistant
  • Easy implementation/application to various shaped surfaces such as door handles, push bars, grocery checkout counters, etc.

Business Opportunity for Solvers

All complete and eligible Entries will be included in an exclusive Innovation Opportunity Report that will be presented to our consortium of innovation-seeking clients and partners. Solvers with well-matched capabilities may be contacted directly by clients 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.


EVALUATION

TechConnect Ventures and the members of its COVID-19 coalition will review all submissions within 4-6 weeks of the Submission Deadline. Based on the nature of the innovation and strength of the response relative to all submissions received, top innovators may be selected for further discussions, pitches or proposals which may lead to contractual or commercial engagements for the research, development or commercialization of the most promising technologies.


QUESTIONS?

Contact info@techconnectventures.com and reference the Sprint Topic.


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. 3. DO NOT INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION MARKED CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY, SENSITIVE OR CLASSIFIED. SUBMISSIONS MARKED AS SUCH WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH CLIENTS.

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 Executive Director, Nick Kacsandi at info@techconnectventures.com