By Sarah Szabo

It’s no secret that cutting-edge technologies fuel our industry. The internet has provided a digital platform for start-up companies to collaborate and bring attention to the coolest ideas, even if they don’t yet have the funds to display their technologies in larger venues, like tradeshows.

Over the years, several industry players have taken a stab at creating competitions that aim to sort through these new players and find the world’s next ‘it’ gadget. And while hot technologies like TiVo’s digital video recorder have surfaced at these contests, there’s been recent chatter from major outlets including the New York Times about these events morphing into ‘pay for play’ opportunities. With some entry fees amounting to $18,500, it’s hard to imagine that the ‘little guys’ looking to break into the market have much of a chance.

The way CEA sees it, cool digital start-up companies are the future of technology. And all companies, large and small, should be invited to play in our industry’s digital sandbox – not just those that can afford the hefty competition fees.

CEA’s new i-stage competition aims to find the next-generation of technology products. And in an effort to level the playing field, there’s no entry fee for i-stage. In fact, the winner will receive $50,000 to start its product line and free booth space at the upcoming 2009 International CES, where they’ll receive the same spotlight as our other star exhibitors.

And while some industry contests use marketing executives to screen their applicants, companies entering the i-stage competition will be judged by true gadget nuts including Kevin Kelly, Wired Magazine; Ryan Block, Engadget; Jeff Pulver; and Molly Wood, CNET (Master of Ceremonies).

Entries for i-stage have closed, but registration to see the competition is still open for venture capitalists, buyers, engineers, analysts, futurists and all enthusiastic tech geeks. And in the true spirit of competition, you can even vie for a pair of tickets to the event given away by the Silicon Alley Insider.

Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the next-generation of cool gadgets cool gadgets from companies of all sizes.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am and is filed under CEA Events, CES 2009. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.