The NH Tech Alliance (Alliance) is seeking New Hampshire-based organizations interested in applying for the prestigious 2019 Product of the Year (POY) award. POY recognizes New Hampshire’s most innovative products developed in the past year. It also provides a platform for entrepreneurs to receive free advice, major product promotion and podium time in front of hundreds of tech leaders. Finalists will present their innovations to a live audience at this Alliance signature event on Thursday, October 24 at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford.
“Being named Product of the Year by the Alliance has helped catapult many companies forward because it validates their technological innovation in a very public way. I am excited to see what new developments our entrepreneurial tech sector has been developing as we open up this year’s application process,” said Lisa Bruinooge King, Alliance board member and co-chair of the POY Committee.
The POY application period is now open and runs through September 20, 2019. Applications are available on the Alliance website and the application includes all eligibility requirements. The application fee has been reduced to a $50 early bird rate for those who submit an application by August 12. After that date, application fees will be $200 for members and $350 for non-members. In early October, up to five finalists will be selected by a panel of judges composed of entrepreneurs, investors and past winners and awarded with POY Judges’ Awards. The Judges’ Award winners will then present their products at the POY event that includes an on-site display and a seven-minute presentation in front of a live audience.
At POY, the audience is actively engaged and helps select the winner. After the presentations, audience members cast their votes for their top product. The audience vote counts towards 50 percent of the final tabulation, with the initial judges’ votes counts comprising the remaining 50 percent. The winner will be announced in real time at the event.
As one of the Alliance’s six signature events, POY offers finalists and winners significant visibility through the judging process and product demonstrations, both at the event and in overall promotions. In addition, each winner is showcased at the Alliance’s display and on a crystal trophy at Greater Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Now in its 14th year, past winners of the Product of the Year award include Measured Air Performance, ICAD, Inc., Wilcox Industries, Plexxi, Prosenex, Single Digits, Nanocomp Technologies, UltraVision, Insight Tech Gear, Holase Incorporated, Sky-Skan, Foss Manufacturing and Therma-HEXX.
Major sponsors include Oracle, Q7, Cook Little Rosenblatt and Manson, Cross Insurance, Autodesk and Hanover Insurance. Additional sponsorships are available by calling 935-8951.
To learn more, contact [email protected] or visit NHTA.org.