NCF Student Earns National Recognition for GismoPower Invention

January 3, 2022 – Sarasota

The U.S. Department of Energy recently recognized GismoPower, a portable, solar-powered vehicle carport invented by Antonia Ginsberg-Klemmt, a New College of Florida student double majoring in physics and environmental studies and a 2018 graduate of Pine View School in Sarasota County. GismoPower is one of 20 Hardware Track semifinalists in the American-Made Solar Prize Round 5 contest, a competition designed to spark U.S. solar energy innovation. The recognition comes with a $50,000 grant for further development of GismoPower and the opportunity for a $100,000 award if selected for the next stage of the competition. 

“We are so proud of Antonia’s latest award,” said New College President Patricia Okker. “She is a wonderful example of what you can do with a New College education, one grounded in self-directed learning and an emphasis on innovation.”

Ginsberg-Klemmt also received a VentureWell E-Team Grant of $5,000 in recognition of the potential of GismoPower to create a positive social, health, or environmental impact. She will take part in the Pioneer workshop, part of the nationally-recognized Early-Stage Innovator Training Program, which provides student teams with the training, coaching, and peer networking opportunities that will help them launch their innovation. During Pioneer, students will orient themselves and understand possible pathways for their venture, creating action plans to check fundamental assumptions.

“I will be going to Tempe, Arizona representing GismoPower and New College for a Pioneer workshop sponsored by Venturewell,” Ginsberg-Klemmt said. “The E-Team Grant Program supports student-led science- and engineering-based teams from across the nation in bringing their high-impact innovation out of the lab and into the market.”

The VentureWell E-Team Program offers up to $25,000 in grant funding and entrepreneurship training to student teams across the US that are developing science and technology innovations focused on solving the world’s biggest challenges. Through E-Teams, VentureWell has trained almost 400 student teams and more than 800 student innovators. These teams have raised close to $200M in follow-on funding and have launched 180+ ventures since taking part in the program.