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Winner Of Lansing's Hatching Combines Solar Energy, Craft Brewing

EAST LANSING (WWJ) -- This month's Hatching pitch competition winner was an innovative mechanical engineering undergraduate from Michigan State University.

Theodore Linabury of Southern Exposure Solar Brewing is developing a micro brewing system that harnesses the power of solar thermal energy to heat the water required to brew beer. Linabury's plan is to spend this fall and winter developing a prototype with hopes to implement the system in the spring.

The Hatching allows entrepreneurs to pitch new ideas to judges and an audience of innovators in a spirited atmosphere. The winner receives $1,000 for startup costs as well as legal services to create the new business entity provided by Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting P.C.

This month's prize sponsorship came from msuENet. Additionally, each month the winner will advance to the next round of pitches that will take place at the "Launched: Celebration of Entrepreneurship" event in December for the chance to win $10,000.

The Hatching is a partnership between the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Lansing region's economic development agency; Spartan Innovations, a limited-profit company focused on helping turn Michigan State University innovations into successful Michgian businesses; and the New Economic Opportunity Center, a Lansing business incubator.

"Each of this month's four ideas have true market potential," said Ken Szymusiak, co-director of the New Economy Divison of LEAP. "Throughout the last four months, we have watched the level of innovation increase and the startup culture thrive because of the Hatching."

Added LEAP president and CEO Bob Trezise: "Opportunities for entrepreneurs like the Hatching allow people to get involved in and support our strengthening ecosystem for startups. Each month we continue this program, we support 5 more innovators to start their businesses and continue to grow and thrive in the Lansing community."

People interested in participating and pitching in the upcoming events are asked to submit their ideas to www.thehatching.org. Submissions are now being accepted for the next Hatching event, which will take place at Beggar's Banquet in East Lansing on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Hatchine events will continue every last Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. For the next round, the submission period will close on Friday, Oct. 25.

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