[https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f36c77b09fd5a04a2b9b17a13/images/099385b3-4716...] Dear All, Please see below for an opportunity to showcase your innovation to a distinguished audience and compete for press and prizes. The competition is for young innovators (under 30), although exceptions may be made for current doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows. It's the Innovation Marketplace at the USAID HESN (Higher Education Solutions Network) TechCon 2016, their biggest meeting. This year it's at MIT, November 10 - 12. Historically (not announced yet for this year), prizes have been 1) thousands of dollars cash, and 2) VentureWell training worth $5,000. The Purdue/Practical Utility Platfoem (PUP) won a well-deserved prize at the last TechCon in 2014; here's the news story<http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q4/purdue-students-recognized-at-national-conference-for-innovative-project-for-sub-saharan-african-farmers.html> and here's their video.<https://youtu.be/7JMmN15vMOo> Here are the two categories, and what is required for each by May 31: * Products and Services: * Create a profile on the Global Innovation Exchange for yourself and your innovation (a great idea anyway!) * DRAFT video of length 30 seconds to 2 minutes * Research: * Create a profile on the Global Innovation Exchange for yourself and your innovation (a great idea anyway!) * Research abstract up to 500 words Details are here<http://> and attached, as well as linked on the Global Innovation Exchange here<http://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/funding/innovation-marketplace-techcon-2016>. I was part of the team hosting the event until recently, so I would be more than happy to offer assistance or answer questions. Best, Alex Alexander J. Moseson, Ph.D. Managing Director of Global Engineering Programs AlexMoseson@purdue.edu +1-765-496-7298 Web: Purdue GEP<http://engineering.purdue.edu/GEP> LinkedIn<http://http://www.linkedin.com/in/AlexMoseson> <https://www.idin.org/blog-news-events/blog/catch-action-years-scaling-development-ventures-mit> Opportunities TechCon 2016 Is Coming to MIT: Apply Now for the Innovation Marketplace! [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f36c77b09fd5a04a2b9b17a13/images/099385b3-4716...] Are you a young innovator with a cutting-edge idea for global development? The Innovation Marketplace may be for you! The Innovation Marketplace will take place as a part of this year's TechCon 2016 hosted at MIT from November 10-12, 2016. Innovators and teams of innovators under the age of 30 from across the globe are invited to apply with innovative products & services or research. A select group of applicants will be invited to attend the Innovation Marketplace during TechCon at MIT to pitch their idea to the larger conference audience, and finalists will be chosen to pitch their idea to a panel of expert judges. Cash and in-kind prizes will be awarded to the top innovations in each category. Learn more and apply by May 31!<http://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/funding/innovation-marketplace-techcon-2016> Please note that the conference is unable to provide funding or scholarships for travel at this time. If your application is selected for the Marketplace, you will likely be expected to fund your own travel to Boston, MA. Stay tuned for further details.