Whirlpool Brand Business Grant Recognizes Innovative Moms
September 18 2008 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
From Temperature-Controlled Medicine Pack to Tools for Parents and
Pet Owners, Moms Thought of It And Winners Benefit with Grant,
Prizes and Education BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Sept. 18
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Passion, dedication and creativity are
just some of the qualities that moms and inventors share. The 2008
Whirlpool brand Mother of Invention program is awarding more than
$40,000 to five mompreneurs to help jump-start their businesses.
Developed four years ago, the Mother of Invention Grant program
helps moms bring their innovative ideas to fruition with not only
monetary resources but key business lessons. While this program was
designed to help moms grow and recognize their potential,
executives at Whirlpool have watched the program grow as well. With
a commitment to eco-efficiency, the brand added a green category in
2008 to recognize moms who created an environmentally-friendly
product/service or used natural/recycled materials to create their
invention. "This year, the number of submissions increased by more
than 20 percent," said Audrey Reed-Granger, director of public
relations for Whirlpool brand. "We are very proud of the caliber of
entries received and noticed an increase in the progress these
inventors have achieved, with business models, prototypes and
patents." This year's grand prize winner is Estelle Keeter, an
ordained pastor from Matteson, Ill. who developed MEDPACK, a
temperature-controlled case for medicines. MEDPACK's insulated case
contains a cooling mechanism that keeps oral medications, such an
insulin and antibiotics, refrigerated for up to 12 hours. "Moms can
make a difference," said Keeter, who will receive a $20,000
business grant to help her execute plans for her invention. "With
the MEDPACK, I hope to improve the lives of those who depend on
medication everyday." As a diabetic, Keeter uses insulin to control
her diabetes and often had to use bulky lunch packs to keep her
medication cold. Keeter, who also is an elementary school teacher,
watched as her students would struggle to put their medication in
the school cafeteria refrigerator as well as putting her own
medication in the teacher's lounge refrigerator. Often, she wished
she was able to have a little more privacy. As a result, Keeter
created MEDPACK, which keeps her medication cold from the comfort
of her briefcase or purse. In addition to the grant, Keeter will
receive choice of a Whirlpool(R) Duet(R) Steam washer and dryer
pair or Whirlpool(R) Cabrio(R) washer and steam dryer, a
Whirlpool(R) dishwasher and a $3,000 stipend for a new home office.
Keeter and four additional winners will have the opportunity to
attend a Whirlpool business boot camp at Whirlpool headquarters in
Benton Harbor, Mich., since the program was based off Whirlpool
Corporation's innovation process. The bootcamp will include a tour
of Whirlpool facilities and product labs, and a roundtable
discussion with Whirlpool innovation experts and this year's guest
judges. This year, entrepreneurial moms Julie Aigner-Clark, creator
of Baby Einstein and co-founder of The Safe Side, and Lori Pope,
creator of BabyPlays.com, served as guest judges for the program.
Whirlpool brand also worked with its past grand prize winner of the
2006 Mother of Invention program, Mary Anne Amato, inventor of the
Quick Change Crib, to serve as a judge. "In my first year
participating with this program, I was truly impressed with the
progress and creativity these moms have made with their
inventions," said Pope. "This program serves as a reminder that
moms are truly some of the best inventors." Additional awards and
winners include: Traditional Category First Prize: $7,000 grant,
Whirlpool brand dishwasher and Duet Sport(R) laundry pair -- Cameo
McGraw-Horton of Bothell, Wash. created improvements to a pet leash
which offers flexibility for owners and added safety for animals
when walking a pet. Second Prize: $5,000 grant, a Whirlpool brand
dishwasher and Duet Sport(R) laundry pair -- Veletta Rouse of
Riviera Beach, Fla. created a product to help those with a cleft
lip and palate. Green Category First Prize: $7,000 grant, Whirlpool
brand refrigerator with water filtration -- Catherine Kay of Silver
Spring, Md. created a product to help with potty training. Second
Prize: $5,000 grant and a Whirlpool brand refrigerator with water
filtration -- Erika Berry of Ada, Mich. created the CleanyBeany.
The product will be made of recyclable materials and is a container
to fit on a dog's leash and to hold money, refuse bags and wipes,
in addition to a flashlight for safety. Information about the 2008
Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant Program, this year's
recipients and top 30 finalists is available at
http://www.whirlpool.com/moms. Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention
Grant While the 2008 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant
provides the means to jump start a business, moms will still have
complete autonomy over their business venture. The ideas submitted
in this contest remain the sole property of the contestant. The
judges and the sponsors do not claim ownership of any ideas
submitted. Whirlpool will maintain a cloak of confidentiality
around submissions, allowing winners time to seek patent
protection. Appliance and appliance component submissions will not
be accepted and will be disqualified. About Whirlpool Brand
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and
marketer of major home appliances with annual sales of
approximately $19 billion and more than 73,000 employees. The brand
recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to
create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity in the
home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on
consumer insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY
STAR(R) qualified appliances like the Duet(R) Steam washer, which
uses up to 73 percent less water and 77 percent less energy than
conventional washers - helping consumers save money and natural
resources. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest
corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new
Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. Additional
information about the company can be found at
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/. DATASOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation
CONTACT: Audrey Reed-Granger, Director of Public Relations of
Whirlpool, +1-269-923-7557, ; or Laura Zanzal of Peppercom for
Whirlpool, +1-212-931-6124, or Web site:
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/ http://www.whirlpool.com/moms
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