One of Rensselaer's most active, generous and supportive alumni groups - the Class of '51 sponsors an annual competition for undergraduate and graduate students to encourage early development of entrepreneurial ideas.

Early development grants of up to $5,000 are awarded each year to individuals or teams who compete and win the competition. (The grant pool available each year will not exceed $5,000 in total, but more than one grant can be made in any given year to different students or student teams).

• Provide enough details to demonstrate that the product, process, service, technology, Web, or software solution is feasible and sustainable - include diagrams and sketches where appropriate.
• Articulate a clear summary description (elevator pitch) of no more than 250 words, (in addition to the overall solution proposal):
  It should answer the questions:
  • What is the problem you are solving?
  • Who are you solving it for?
  • How are you solving it?
  • How does your technological solution differentiate from already existing solutions?
• Project and describe the need for expected funding and how the Class of '51 award funds will be used for services, materials and expenses.
• To submit your Class of '51 Competition idea online

The entry deadline for individual or team plans will be February 22, 2010. Winning grants will be announced on March 15, 2010.