Silicon Valley contest seeks sustain­able solutions

A Silicon Valley nonprofit is looking for a few good ideas – to save the Earth.

Sustainable Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization in Santa Clara dedicated to addressing critical environmental issues through collaboration and innovation, has issued a “Call for Solutions for Planetary Sustainability” to academicians, entrepreneurs, thought-leaders and just about anybody who is interested in solving ecological issues on a regional and global scale.

Marianna Grossman, president and CEO of Sustainable Silicon Valley, told SFBay:

“Our Call for Solutions is an exciting opportunity to share the best new ideas and technologies that could contribute to major improvements in planetary sustainability. …  Submissions should focus on unique technologies and policies that can radically improve the utilization of energy, water and materials, resulting in economic and environmental resilience.”

The deadline for proposals is January 31 with the finalists announced March 7.  Top prize winners will be announced at the Water, Energy and Smart Technology (SMART) Summit and Showcase at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field on May 23.

Awards and recognition will be meted out to the best solutions, as determined by a panel of academic and industry experts.

Contest winners may also have the opportunity to turn their ideas into money, since entrants will have the chance to meet with angel investor and VCs at the SMART Summit who are looking for investment prospects.

Solutions could range from a system to provide readily available drinking water during natural disasters (think Hurricane Sandy) to far-ranging remedies for climate change.  Grossman added:

“This is a great chance for anybody concerned about the future of sustainability to bring attention to solutions that can have a practical impact, create public demand for action and generate market demand for results.”

There is no entry fee and interested idealists may enter online at www.sustainablesv.org.