Launched by Mayor Bloomberg at the Shapeways Factory of the Future, Next Top Makers is New York City’s is challenge makers, designers, and engineers to create product prototypes. 

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New York’s Next Top Makers is a challenge to prototype new designs
that have commercial potential. The goal of the challenge is to support
design-driven production, and promote a culture of innovation and
commercialization within New York City’s industrial business, design and
engineering communities.

Starting in mid November, makers, designers, engineers and others
will be invited to enter prototypes in the challenge. It is anticipated
that New York’s Next Top Makers will be open for submissions until
mid February 2013.

Finalists will be selected by an expert judging panel, and will
receive assistance on the path to commercialization during the studio
phase. Assistance will include studio space from sponsor NYDesigns,
business support, and mentorship from industry experts such as Adafruit
Industries, Honeybee Robotics and Shapeways. It is anticipated that the
studio phase will run from April to August. Judges will award an
additional cash prize to the most promising winner following the studio
phase.

Image Courtesy Edward Reed of the NYC Mayors Office on Flickr