BKFK Announces Winners of the
BKFK Connecticut Entrepreneurial Award

4 Talented Young Inventors Chosen from over 550 Entrants of the 23rd Annual Connecticut Invention Convention

STAMFORD, Connecticut, May 15, 2006 – By Kids for Kids Co. “BKFK” is pleased to announce the winners of the 2nd Annual BKFK Connecticut Entrepreneurial Award. This prestigious award honors the most innovative kid-invented products exhibited at the 23rd Annual Connecticut Invention Convention.

Over 10,000 Connecticut kids K-8th grade began their 2005 school year with the Connecticut Invention Convention teaching model, however after a year’s hard work and judging at 95 local competitions, only 550 of the most promising inventors were invited to exhibit and compete at the state level . Winners of the BKFK Entrepreneurial award were selected from among the 550 finalists who showcased products on April 29, 2006 in the Gampell Pavilion at the University of Connecticut’s main campus in Storrs, CT.

The following talented young kids won the BKFK Entrepreneurial Award:

Eva Hintz, 7th Grader from Torrington Middle School in Torrington, CT - “Tri Chess”- A clever twist on the standard chess game. Tri Chess uses standard Chess rules, however, Eva felt that challenging just one player wasn’t enough - this new version features a triangular chess board - making for an interesting match involving not two but three players!

Cory Mandy, 5th Grader from Moses Y. Beach School in Wallingford, CT - “Binder Buddy”- A new way to fix those ripped 3 hole sheets of paper so that they can reinsert back into your notebook. Features a self- adhesive clear plastic sheet, including 3 holes, that conveniently fits over the edge of the paper, good as new!

Nia Moffett, 5th Grader from Wendell Cross Elementary School in Waterbury, CT - “Pencil Buddies” – Funny little characters that attach to pencils which individualize everyday pencils and also prevent them from rolling off your desk. Kids can choose from different designs or create their own.

Caelan Schick, 5th Grader from Webster Hill Elementary School in West Hartford, CT - “Zip It” – A new kind of sneaker where the top actually zips off the rubber sole enabling the wearer to change the look and feel of their sneakers. Kids can now customize their sneakers to match their mood, outfit, or just to coordinate with a pal. If they wish, kids can even create their own sneaker design and just “Zip It” on.

“It’s been a joy to participate once again in the Connecticut Invention Convention and to recognize our state’s brightest young inventors through the BKFK Connecticut Entrepreneurial Award.” said Norman Goldstein, Founder and CEO of By Kids for Kids Co.

Laura Ploss, Director of Operations and Family Relations at BKFK, said: “For the first time ever, all the winners of a BKFK award happen to be girls. It’s great to see the wonderful accomplishments of these talented kids and I wish them great success on their entrepreneurial journeys!”

Evaluation criteria were simply the marketability of the ideas. These winners have the opportunity to have their inventions patented and developed into commercially available products with potential to earn significant royalties. BKFK assumes all financial risk of development and offers the kids tremendous support and resources along the way.

“Connecticut has long been a state of Innovation. Likewise, the Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) has been an incubator for school-age inventors, helping kids form their own unique solutions to their own unique problems for 23 years. Patenting & Commercialization is the next logical step in the whole ‘new-product-development’ process, a step that as an all-volunteer Not-for-Profit organization we’ve been unable to take until now, thanks to BKFK,” said Charlie Baumgartner, President of the CIC.

About By Kids for Kids Co:

By Kids For Kids Co., a closely held corporation based in Stamford, Conn., is the leading integrated marketing, branding and licensing company in America dedicated to making kids’ ideas a reality. Their mission is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all kids. In addition to providing free support and educational resources to America’s children, BKFK provides entrepreneurial experiences for young inventors and supports the entire ideation through commercialization process. By Kids For Kids represents some of the most brilliant young minds in America.

For more information about By Kids For Kids, visit www.bkfk.com

About the Connecticut Invention Convention:

The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization dedicated to the goal of promoting critical and creative thinking. The convention is the forum for Connecticut’s schoolchildren to demonstrate thinking through the art of invention. It is also an opportunity to recognize students for creative problem solving. The CIC is organized solely by volunteers and funded by donations and in-kind support from UConn School of Engineering, UTC, GE Volunteers, CT Center for Science & Exploration, AT&T, CT Space Grant College Consortium, Microsoft, Comcast, and StanleyWorks.
For more information, visit the CIC at: www.ctinventionconvention.org

-Ends-

Contacts:

For By Kids for Kids:
(203)321-1258, media@bkfk.com

For CT Invention Convention:
Charlie Baumgartner
(860) 747-7136 charlie.baumgartner@ge.com