CLEANTECH OPEN LIGHTS THE FIRE

Cleantech Open Expands Business Competition Into the South-Central U.S.; Organization seeks local, budding entrepreneurs looking for investment opportunities, expert advice, and the chance to compete nationally for valuable prizes and publicity.
May 7, 2011 (Cleantech Open)

"The nation's premier cleantech entrepreneurial competition has expanded its reach to give local talent an opportunity to contend for a grand prize of up to $250,000 in cash and services with an overall prize chest of more than $1 million…

…The Cleantech Open, which finds, funds and fosters businesses that work to solve energy, environmental and economic challenges, has expanded to provide mentoring, training, access to capital and showcasing opportunities to startups in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma…"

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"Now in its sixth year, the Cleantech Open has an impressive history of seeing its alumni companies raise more than $300 million in external private capital and create more than 2,500 new jobs, with a goal of creating 100,000 new jobs over the coming years. At least 80 percent of its alumni companies remain economically viable today.

"Solution categories for the 2011 program include: air, water and waste; energy efficiency; green building; renewable energy; smart power, green grid and energy storage; and transportation. Companies with less than $1 million in private, third-party funding and less than $5 million from other sources of funding are qualified to apply. All teams must include at least one United States resident and a total of at least two individuals."

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"The Clean Technology and Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI) and its consortium of partners…including the Austin Technology Incubator, will coordinate efforts from metro hubs across the region…

"Judges in each region choose roughly 15 semifinalists to advance for mentorship and judging at the regional level. From there, top regional finalists will receive prize packages worth $20,000 in cash and services. They will compete nationally for a grand prize of $250,000 in investment and services…The submission deadline is May 24, 2011…"