The company, which is headquartered on Elmcroft Road in Stamford, launched a competition which officially started July 23, 2012 that calls for entrepreneurs and start-ups to submit product, service, or application ideas that can be built upon Pitney Bowes technologies.  The communication technologies company specializes in the manufacturing of software, mailing and office equipment as well as related services like records and information management and document processing solutions. 

  "We are looking to stimulate economic growth.  We are very interested in innovation through collaboration," stated Art Parkos, vice president, Strategic Technology and Innovation Center, Pitney Bowes. 

 According to the competition website, winners  will have access to Pitney Bowes platforms and capabilities relevant to the three competition areas; Location Intelligence, Secure Evidencing Platforms, and Connect+. 

 Parkos said Locations Intelligence includes the company's world class geocoding and reverse geocoding capabilities. It's a technology that is currently being used by Facebook, he said.  Secure Evidencing Platforms is the technology Pitney Bowes utilizes to ensure the validity of data.  Connect+ is the company's flagship mailing software, said Parkos. 

 Interested startup companies or entrepreneurs must submit their ideas by September 7, 2012.  The judges include Pitney Bowes business sponsors, as well as the company's Chief Financial Officer, Michael Monahan and Chief Technology and Strategy Officer, Joseph Timko. 

 Parkos said they are looking for people passionate about their idea and dedicated to serving a customer need in an innovative way.   He said he expects most applicants to come from the tristate area, however anyone willing to put one or two people in the Stamford Pitney Bowes office building to work on and develop their idea is encouraged to apply. 

 Final round contestants must prepare a presentation for October and winners will be notified between October and November.  They have not determined a specific number of winners, Parkos said they will base it on the number of ideas they would like to see through. 

 The winners will have one year of free access to office space and internet access in Pitney Bowes headquarters.  They will also have access to the coaching and mentoring services of the Stamford Innovation Center located in the City's Old Town Hall.  

"Pitney Bowes is a leading sponsor of the Stamford Innovation Center," stated Barry Schwimmer, founder and managing partner of the Stamford Innovation Center.  "They continue to work with the Center to develop dynamic approaches toward fostering entrepreneurial activities and problem solving.  We are thrilled to partner with them in the ongoing evolution of these programs."

 "We saw an option to help us connect to the community and tap into the innovation energy in Connecticut," stated Parkos.

 Submissions will be judged on the business model, its potential as well as the value Pitney Bowes technology brings to the product, service or application and the skill sets of the inventors.