Haverhill MA, October 11, 2012 – The Haverhill Hardware Horizons Challenge (H3C ) 2012, a competition for early stage hardware innovators, is pleased to announce that Bounce Imaging has entered the race for $10,000 in cash and start up support and services.

Bounce Imaging is developing ultra-low-cost, easy-to-use imaging systems to meet the needs of soldiers and first responders, allowing them to explore potentially hazardous spaces without exposing them to harm. Soldiers, fire fighters, and search and rescue workers put their lives on the line every day so that the public doesn’t have to. Currently the life-saving imaging technology that exists is too expensive, classified, and impractical for wide-scale use.  Bounce Imaging is also a finalist in the widely promoted MassChallenge 2012 competition.

“The Haverhill Hardware Challenge lowers the barrier for entry for hardware startups by providing contestants with a wide range of services and incentives to enhance their chance for success,” said John Michitson, president of the Haverhill City Council and an electrical engineer with the MITRE Corporation. “This competition is unique in that it focuses on hardware OEMs, who often have steeper ramp up costs than a software product.”

“The opportunity provided by the Haverhill Challenge matches our objectives and fits with our need to manufacture in the U.S. and ideally in Massachusetts,” comments Francisco Aguilar, founder of Bounce Imaging. “Mayor James Fiorentini and Public Safety Chief Alan DeNaro have offered to demonstrate our product in real-life public safety scenarios to prove the concept with the ultimate goal of helping to save lives in Haverhill.”

About H3C Haverhill Hardware Challenge
Local government groups, business organizations, and Northern Essex Community College, have invited hardware startups with a great idea and limited resources to enter the Haverhill Hardware Challenge. To participate in the H³C, companies must be an early-stage technology startup developing and marketing a hardware product. Deadline for entries is November 15, 2012.

The winning electronic design will receive up to a half dozen free printed circuit board versions culminating with a working prototype from  the Haverhill based Lightspeed Manufacturing Accelerator.  The winner will receive $10,000 in cash. Finalists will have access to Lightspeed’s design services and production facility, access to free and discounted work space at the Burgess Business Center in Haverhill, and free consultation and connections to supply chain resources for production and more.  Everyone who enters the competition will receive free workshops and mentoring on topics such as business, finance, marketing, and technology. With just six weeks left in the H3C competition exciting new hardware firms from all over the region are entering the competition.

Partners in the Lightspeed Challenge include the Greater Haverhill Foundation, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, the City of Haverhill, the Burgess Business Center, Exultium, MassChallenge, McDermott & Company Marketing, MetriGraphics, LLC, Northern Essex Community College, Round Rock Consulting, SmartSource  and USAi.net.  Full details on the challenge, including the application and the contest timeline, can be found online at https://lightspeedchallenge.blogspot.com/. Application deadline is November 15 2012.
For more information on the challenge, contact John Michitson at michitson@mitre.org or (C) 339-221-2276.