The Manchester Young Professionals Network named EcoValve of Epping its 2014 winner of the MYPN NH Startup Challenge business plan competition on June 17.
EcoValve, developed by student and entrepreneur Devon Bernard, is a product designed to significantly reduce household water consumption. EcoValve uses advanced sensory technology that works to detect the distance between the person and the shower nozzle, and adjusts water pressure accordingly.
Bernard, a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, gave his final pitch just before being named the 2014 winner of the MYPN NH Startup Challenge business plan competition, which is among the state’s leading business plan competitions. MYPN has awarded over $200,000 in cash and in-kind services to Granite State entrepreneurs over the past seven years.
“EcoValve is thrilled to be chosen as this year’s MYPN NH Startup Challenge winner. I am ready to fine tune our product and ultimately find success in the commercial market," said Bernard. “Water conservation is obviously beneficial to the environment, but our product works to also save consumers money by using less water and less energy each day. ... With the help of MYPN we feel the sky is the limit. We now have plenty of funding for product development and really perfecting our prototype to maximize end-user savings. We also hope to really make use of the in-kind legal services to apply for our Utility Patent and we hope to start online sales later this year.”
MYPN’s NH Startup Challenge is a statewide business plan competition created in 2008 by MYPN, NH’s first and largest young professional networking organization with more than 3,500 members throughout the greater Manchester area. “Part of MYPN’s mission is to help young entrepreneurs find success in the New Hampshire business community and each year we are amazed at the talented and innovative business men and women who compete in the NH Startup Challenge,” said Kate Luczko, chair of MYPN's board of directors, Startup Challenge committee member and executive director of Stay Work Play.
“This is the seventh year we have been able to honor a young professional and entrepreneur who demonstrates the ability to bring an idea to life and we know EcoValve will continue to grow with clear goals of becoming a product used in households across America. MYPN is very fortunate to have such generous sponsors who have donated cash and services totaling over $55,000 to help take EcoValve’s business to the next level,” she said.
Devon will receive over $55,000 in cash and and in-kind professional services donated by NH businesses. The prize package includes:
- Up to $20,000 in cash
- A yearlong advertising contract in Business NH Magazine
- Legal services from McLane Law Firm
- Accounting services from Howe Riley and Howe
- One year residency/membership at the Alpha Loft
- Coffee with the Governor
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