Brinks Sponsors Competition at Midwest Clean Tech 2010

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States, announced its sponsorship of the Brinks Innovation Competition, to be held in conjunction with the Midwest Clean Tech 2010 Conference scheduled for Sept. 14-15 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The Brinks Innovation Competition provides a platform for developers of new technologies to showcase their products, services or processes to a qualified panel of experts. Entries must provide solutions to global challenges in such areas as environmental technologies, renewable and alternative energy, infrastructure and community or green building science, and must offer competitive returns for investors and customers.

The top five finalists will present their technology at Midwest Clean Tech 2010 before an international audience of entrepreneurs, financiers, researchers and developers. For additional information or to enter the competition, visit www.midwestcleantech2010.com. Applications are due Monday, July 19.

Lawrence. G. Almeda, an attorney and shareholder in the Ann Arbor office of Brinks and Chair of the firm's Nanotechnology Group, encourages Michigan companies to participate.

"With Michigan's economic future dependent on continuing our state's history of innovation, the Brinks Innovation Competition provides an excellent opportunity for an enterprising Michigan-based company to highlight its niche product or service in a variety of technology areas with applications to clean tech," Almeda said.

This marks the second year Brinks has been a Midwest Clean Tech Conference sponsor. Midwest Clean Tech 2010 is hosted by Global Midwest Alliance and The Midwest Research University Network, which connects Midwest and international firms and entrepreneurs to highlight shared opportunities and encourage business-to-business interaction. Keynotes will address United States and international policy and areas of opportunities in clean technologies. The Midwest Clean Tech 2010 Conference will be held in conjunction with the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show.

The Global Midwest Alliance is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to establish the Midwest as a globally-recognized leader in innovation and business growth. They help trail-blazing Midwest companies and entrepreneurs grow by leveraging existing resources to develop new products and find customers throughout the world. The Global Midwest Alliance is the only business-led, region-wide organization dedicated to opening global opportunities for Midwest companies. For more information, visit www.globalmidwestalliance.org.

The Midwest Research University Network is an alliance of university business development professionals focused on start-up enterprise development as a means to promote university research. The MRUN works closely with patent and licensing officers to assist the growth of start-up companies in the Midwest, assisting them with financing and collaboration opportunities.  For more information, visit www.mrun.us.

Founded in 1917, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione is based in Chicago with five additional offices across the country, including Ann Arbor, serving the intellectual property needs of clients from around the world.  The firm is one of the largest IP law firms in the country, with more than 170 attorneys, scientific advisors and patent agents specializing in intellectual property litigation and all aspects of patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, unfair competition, intellectual asset management, and technology and licensing agreements. Brinks routinely handles assignments in fields as diverse as electrical, chemical, mechanical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, nanotechnology, Internet and computer technology, as well as in trademarks and brand names for a wide variety of products and services.  For additional information, visit www.usebrinks.com.

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