The Midwest Energy Research Consortium (M-WERC) is partnering with global power management company Eaton on a $10,000 tech challenge as part of Startup Wisconsin Week.

The challenge invites students, educators, engineers and creatives to come up with an innovative planar electromagnetic coil design for use in an inductive sensor.

The challenge officially launches on Tuesday, Nov. 12, with an event at M-WERC’s Milwaukee offices. Engineers from Eaton’s Waukesha facilities will outline the parameters of the challenge and answer questions, after which attendees will have an opportunity to network. The event is free to attend; find more information and register.

Entrants will then have three weeks to submit their designs. The creators of the top three designs will be invited back to pitch their ideas for a chance to work with Eaton and a $10,000 cash prize.

M-WERC is the driving force behind Wisconsin’s a $38 billion energy, power and controls (EPC) sector, an industry made up of 900 companies employing 100,000 people across the state.

Eaton Corp. is a global provider of solutions for managing electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably.

The M-WERC’s Tech Challenge is just one of many tech- and innovation-focused events happening in Milwaukee and around the state during Startup Wisconsin Week Nov. 11-17.