Revolutionary technology a win-win for old machines and environment

Contest winners to receive $25,000 for new business at June 12 event

University Park, Pa. — A company developing technology that will allow equipment operators to bring old machines into compliance with increasingly strict emissions regulations at a manageable cost is the winner of this year’s Big Idea $25,000 Business Plan Contest, run by Penn State's Small Business Development Center in conjunction with Ben Franklin Technology PArtners.

Errcive Inc. company owners Stephen Dynan and Eric Ramberg are developing a revolutionary, low-cost diesel exhaust mitigation system. The business will be located in central Pennsylvania to combine low operating costs with access to world-class academic institutions and a talented workforce, say the owners. Initial sales and marketing efforts will be directed toward California, leveraging California's impetus to mitigate exhaust pollution.

Dynan and Ramberg are to receive their award at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 in 502 Keller Building, University Park. The contest deadline was in April and drew 27 applicants and had five finalists.

"Errcive's new technology will result in a win-win for equipment owners as well as the environment," said Donna Holmes, director of the Penn State SBDC.

Ben Franklin Technology PArtners is an organization sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that seeks to develop manufacturing and technology-based companies in Pennsylvania.

Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a nationwide network of more than 1,000 centers. The Penn State SBDC provides free business assistance to small firms and business start-ups in Centre and Mifflin counties, enabling them to compete and grow in today's highly competitive global economy. For more information, visit http://www.sbdc.psu.edu Penn State SBDC is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education. Penn State Outreach serves more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.