over 10 years ago

Follow the finalists’ progress!

Thanks again for your interest in New York’s Next Top Makers! If you’d like to keep tabs on the Studio Phase Finalists’ progress, please follow NYCEDC’s dedicated Next Top Makers blog, From Maker to Founder. 

You're also invited to join NYCEDC at a Next Top Makers Open Studio on Monday, May 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at NYDesigns. You can catch up with the Studio Phase Finalists and see how they're turning their product prototypes into real businesses. Register here. 

 

over 10 years ago

One week left to vote

Thanks for supporting New York’s Next Top Makers! There is just one week left to weigh in on your favorite projects — the deadline for voting is March 27, 2013.

Remember: you can vote for as many submissions as you’d like, but no more than once for a single submission. For full details, please see the Official Rules and our handy list of public voting dos and don'ts.

Thanks again for your support. We look forward to crowning the crowd favorite!

Questions?

If you have any questions about the challenge or the voting process, post in the Discussion Forum…

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over 10 years ago

Dos and don'ts of public voting

Do: 

  • Register for one ChallengePost account per person. 
  • Vote for as many submissions as you'd like (but no more than once for a single submission). 
  • Encourage your friends to vote.

Don't: 

  • Register for more than one ChallengePost account per person. 
  • Use an automated process or similar device to vote, including but not limited to a robot, program, script, macro or other automated means/source.
  • Pay people or provide any other type of compensation in exchange for votes. 

Just because a vote appears on the site does not mean it is an eligible vote. We check votes via a wide variety of criteria…

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almost 11 years ago

Deadline Wednesday

The submission deadline for New York’s Next Top Makers is Wednesday, February 20 at 5 p.m. EST!

Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out the submission form. Avoid surprises by starting your draft now and reviewing our submission checklist. 

Questions?

We’re here to help. If you have any questions about the competition, please email us at support@challengepost.com and include “Next Top Makers” in the subject line.

almost 11 years ago

Deadline extended

Stressing about finishing your submission?

Good news—the deadline for New York’s Next Top Makers has been extended to February 20 at 5 p.m. EST. Use the extra time to perfect your submission materials!

If you haven’t started yet, you now have a whole extra week to get it together! Check out our submission checklist and video making guide for some handy tips on entering a submission.

Questions?

Please email us at support@challengepost.com and include “Next Top Makers” in the subject line.

almost 11 years ago

Final reminder

The submission period for New York’s Next Top Makers ends Wednesday, February 20 at 5 p.m. EST!

Don’t wait until the last minute to fill out the submission form. Start your draft now to avoid surprises later on.

And remember—we review submissions on a rolling basis, so depending on how early you submit, we can tell you if anything in your submission is amiss and give you the opportunity to change it before the challenge deadline.

Questions?

We’re here to help. If you have any questions about the competition, please email us at support@challengepost.com and include “Next Top Makers”…

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almost 11 years ago

From maker to founder

I’ve spoken to a lot of you over the last few months, and there’s always a look of astonishment when I explain the goal of Next Top Makers: to help makers become founders. Period.

Our success is dependent on yours. We want this program to push you to set goals for the next seven months and, with our help, reach them.

New York City has seen some amazing transformations of product projects into businesses—from Adafruit Industries, to littleBits, to Makerbot. In the Studio Phase of New York’s Next Top Makers, we’ll help six of you continue that same journey from…

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almost 11 years ago

Submission tips

The deadline for New York’s Next Top Makers is fast approaching—submissions must be entered by February 20 at 5 p.m. EST!  

Below are some handy tips to help you wrap up your submission.

Start your draft

Beginning your draft early is the best way to avoid getting caught by surprise later on. Visit the Enter a Submission page today and make sure you’re aware of all the submission requirements.

Once you start a draft, you can edit it at any time before the submission deadline. Fill out the easy fields now (like your title, submitter type and product category),…

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almost 11 years ago

How to make a great submission video

Aside from your product design itself, your submission video is one of the most important (and exciting) elements of your submission! In fact, it’s often one of the first things that judges and voters review.

That said, don’t be intimidated. A polished video is great, but the story behind your product is what’s most important.

You’ve already heard from IDEO on how to tell a great story. Now learn how to translate that story into a great video!

Tips on making a great video

  • What’s your elevator pitch? Be sure to explain why your product is awesome in the…

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almost 11 years ago

Event recap and storytelling tips

If you weren't able to join us at the Next Top Makers: Business of Design event Tuesday evening, or attended, but got distracted by all of the awesome 3D printers, here's the information that was presented:

As the submission deadline draws near, start thinking about how you'd like to present your new product. We'll leave you with these words of wisdom, courtesy of IDEO:

Six principles for telling great stories (and selling your
…

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almost 11 years ago

See you in the studio: NYCEDC on the prizes

Thanks for participating in New York’s Next Top Makers!

We look forward to seeing your new product designs and prototypes! There are so many creative, inventive makers in New York City, and we’re thrilled to get the chance to help you become the City’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

As a reminder, by participating in this challenge you’ll be competing for one of six finalist spots in a five-month Next Top Makers Studio Phase. The assistance in the Studio Phase will be tailored to the needs of the challenge winners and is focused on helping you overcome hurdles on the path…

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almost 11 years ago

New Event: The Business of Design

Want to make your product stand out? Learn how to impress the judges with more than just a great design. 

Join the creators of New York’s Next Top Makers for an evening of education, guidance and networking. Hear from IDEO storytelling gurus why good design doesn’t always speak for itself, and learn about the role of a designer in a world of 3D printers.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 22nd 

WHERE: 3DEA Pop Up Store - 835 6th Ave (At the corner of 6th and 29th St) 

ADMISSION: Free!


Event format

EAT-AND-GREET
7 p.m. Introductions, plus food and drink.

MAIN PRESENTATION

  • The…

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almost 11 years ago

What the judges are looking for

As you put together your submission, bear in mind the competition judging criteria. Each judge weighs your submission against six benchmarks, so be sure to address each of them (Put yourself in the judges’ shoes — can you answer the questions below after reviewing your submission form, your PDF upload with required submission questions, and your video?).

Criteria for Studio Phase selection

  • Quality of the idea - Is your product original? Is it creative? Make sure you explain how your new product design is substantially different from the current market offerings.
  • Quality of the product design - Is…

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almost 11 years ago

Quick-start guide

There are about six weeks left to submit your new product design or prototype to New York’s Next Top Makers challenge.

Seeking a little inspiration?

We’ve come up with a few brainstorming questions to get your creative juices flowing:

  • If you could redesign anything, what would it be?
  • What product do you use most on a day-to-day basis? Why is it useful?
  • What invention or product would make your life easier?


Still feeling uninspired? Explore the resources page for project ideas and more.

Choose a product category

Before you settle on an awesome product idea, first see whether it’s eligible!…

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almost 11 years ago

Cool perks for participants

Great news! Our partners are generously extending the following perks to participants of New York’s Next Top Makers Challenge:

For 3D printers: Lulzbot recently donated an AO-100 printer for Next Top Maker applicants to use free of charge. Stop inside 3DEA at the Eventi Hotel in Chelsea and use the machine through December 29.

For anyone who submits an eligible entry: a free PDF version of the Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing, courtesy of MAKE. (To be sent on or around February 14.)

For finalist teams: one littleBits starter kit and one littleBits extended kit, courtesy of littleBits…

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almost 11 years ago

Join us at these great maker events

Congrats on starting the journey to become one of New York’s Next Top Makers! We’re excited to support you throughout the submission process, and are thrilled to see your new product designs and prototypes with commercial potential.

This month, we invite you to join us in attending some great events:

…

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