mother of invention grant

Whirlpool brand is taking the opportunity to evaluate the Mother of Invention grant program and will not host an invention competition in 2009. Currently, we are determining the best approach and resources for Whirlpool to engage and foster momtrepreneuers. We will continue to encourage and provide our grant recipients with business counsel. Additionally, we thank all the moms who have supported the program for the last four years. Whirlpool continues to be impressed with their ingenuity and wishes everyone the best of luck in their endeavors.

Whirlpool® brand is proud to announce the recipients of its fourth annual Mother of Invention Grant program. More than 2,200 moms entered their ideas, demonstrating the ingenuity and business sense of mothers from across the nation.

2008 included a first ever green category to which entrants responded enthusiastically, demonstrating their sustainable ideas in 25 percent of entries. More than 550 moms had an environmentally-friendly product/service idea or implemented natural/recycled materials into their designs.

Moms sent in entries beginning this past Mother's Day in the hope of being crowned a winner of one of five Mothers of Invention Grants. The grant program's judging criteria is based on Whirlpool brand's own product/innovation guidelines. The judging panel found that this year's winning ideas created solutions to unmet needs; are unique in the current marketplace; provide practical business solutions; have compelling stories behind their innovation, and in some instances, were sustainable.

Whirlpool® brand would like to thank the 2008 guest judges - Julie Aigner-Clark, creator of Baby Einstein and co-creator of The Safe Side and Lori Pope, creator of Babyplays.com. We would also like to thank our 2006 Grand Prize Winner, Mary Anne Amato, inventor of the Quick Change Crib, for judging as well. These women truly exemplify what the Mother of Invention Grant is all about - being creative, motivated entrepreneurs, while at the same time tackling the important job of being a mom. They will no doubt continue to serve as role models to other mothers for years to come.

The top five winners will receive prizes listed below, as well as the opportunity to attend Whirlpool Corporation's "business boot camp." The seminars will offer winners tips on starting a small business with a tour of Whirlpool facilities and product labs, and one-on-one advice from Whirlpool innovation experts and this year's guest judges.

Grand Prize Winner
Estelle Keeter of Matteson, IL created the "MEDPACK", a temperature-controlled case for medications.

First Prize Winner - Traditional
Cameo McGraw-Horton of Bothell, WA created improvements to a pet leash which offers flexibility for owners and added safety for animals when walking a pet.

First Prize Winner - Green
Catherine Kay of Silver Spring, MD created a product to help with potty training.

Second Prize Winner - Traditional
Veletta Rouse of Riviera Beach, FL created a product to help those with a cleft lip and palate.

Second Prize Winner - Green
Erika Berry of Ada, MI 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.

The following are a list of Whirlpool® brand Mother of Invention Grant Top 30 finalists who did not place in the top five for prizes. The executive and guest judging panels found the following mothers' inventions, products or services well worth commendation.