Hey, makers: AlphaLab Gear has launched its 2020 Hardware Cup and will award a $50,000 grand prize for the best physical product startup. At Groover Labs, we’re all about fueling collaboration and product development, so we wanted to be sure you knew about this fabulous opportunity.

The Hardware Cup is a pitch competition for early-stage hardware startups, according to information from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company.

AlphaLab plans to tour six cities — Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Raleigh, and San Jose — to find and highlight the most promising physical product startups in the nation. (Companies located outside of these cities will receive a travel stipend to compete at the events.) Winners in each city will receive cash and prizes as well as a chance to win a $50,000 grand prize at the International Finals in May.

Any startup with a physical product component can apply: manufactured products, IoT/connected devices, health/medical, consumer products, consumer electronics, food, fashion, robotics and more.

Application information is here. The application deadline for our region is 11:59 p.m. Feb. 23.