Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, today announced its founding corporate sponsorship in the new Stamford Innovation Center. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Sikorsky Innovations plans to use the center for new entrepreneurial ventures that are developing highly differentiated technology aligned with Sikorsky Aircraft initiatives.

“We are pleased to support the mission of the Stamford Innovation Center and its Foundation through this significant corporate sponsorship,” said Sikorsky Innovations Vice President Chris Van Buiten. “Sikorsky Innovations is committed to identifying and maturing cutting-edge technologies applicable to current and future products of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. We firmly believe that the mission of the Stamford Innovation Center aligns closely with our goals and look forward to working with its team.”

Located at the iconic Old Town Hall in the heart of Stamford, the Stamford Innovation Center is a new hub for entrepreneurship and innovation whose mission is to “Accelerate the Entrepreneur’s Voyage.”

The 16,000-square-foot iCenter will offer dedicated desks, shared “co-working” space and all of the typical business services available in a state-of-the-art office complex. “Most importantly, we will surround our entrepreneurs with a community… a team of individuals and organizations dedicated to their success,” said Patty Meagher, one of the Founders of the Center. “It is an ideal environment in which to work, learn, accelerate, and create the future.”

“The collaboration between Sikorsky and Stamford Innovation highlights the ongoing and exciting entrepreneurial spirit that exists at institutions across our state,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. “Connecticut has always had a reputation as the home for innovation, whether we’re talking about companies, technology or our workforce. The partnership announced today will help our state build on that history and continue our efforts to find new ways to compete in a 21^st Century economy.”

Along with the sponsorship announcement, Sikorsky Innovations announced plans for an Entrepreneurial Challenge competition to assist in identifying and rewarding those relevant ventures.

The Entrepreneurial Challenge will feature five technical questions posted to the Sikorsky.com web site for two months. Entrepreneurial teams may submit applications to one or more of the questions. Applications will be judged on technical feasibility, value proposition, and team expertise.

Finalists will be chosen from the applicant pool, and will have the opportunity to present their technology to Sikorsky experts. Winning teams will be granted a period of rent-free access to the Stamford Innovation Center, including a portion of the Sikorsky-designated incubation space, shared services within the Center, and participation in the Center’s education and mentorship programs. Sikorsky technical and business mentors will assist the teams in maturing and growing their businesses.

“Competition has been one of the driving forces of innovation in aviation since before Charles Lindbergh claimed the Orteig Prize for his nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic. As a leader in the vertical flight industry, Sikorsky Innovations is continually looking to expand its network of partners, working closely with them to demonstrate differentiating technologies that are relevant to our customers. The Entrepreneurial Challenge represents another facet of that strategy, targeted at those innovators just beginning their entrepreneurial journey,” Van Buiten said. “We look forward to reaching out to the community with our Entrepreneurial Challenge and finding companies with an emerging aerospace technology, or enlightening those companies that didn’t know they had an aerospace application within their technology.”

As part of the sponsorship announcement, Sikorsky Innovations also officially launched the first of the Entrepreneurial Challenges, with a submission deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on March 30. For details or to take the challenge, visit: http://www.sikorsky.com/Innovation

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.