Clean Tech Open Announces $125M+ Raised for Clean Tech Startups; Takes 2009 Competition National
After three years of connecting entrepreneurs with funding and training, Clean Tech Open invites all U.S. residents to compete for 2009 Grand Prize
PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clean Tech Open, the non-
profit that connects entrepreneurs with the expertise, network, and funding to
make clean tech possible and profitable, kicks off its fourth annual
competition season today. At its first monthly Breakfast Briefing, the Clean
Tech Open unveiled plans for the 2009 competition, its largest yet, and shared
milestones reached by its alumni start-ups. The event was keynoted by Kevin
Chen, who directs Green Energy Strategy at Google.
This year, the 2009 Clean Tech Open season will extend its competition
beyond California, inviting entrepreneurs and inventors from all parts of the
country, with regional competitions in California and the Rocky Mountains.
Entrants are invited to compete in six categories: Air/Water/Waste, Energy
Efficiency, Green Building, Renewable Energy, Smart Power, and Transportation.
New to this year's national competition will be a Grand Prize for one
clean tech start-up that will receive the largest prize award to date. Details
on the competition and prizes will be shared at the Clean Tech Open Launch
Event on March 19th, at San Jose's City Hall. Before then, contestants can
learn more about the compression and begin registering now at
http://www.cleantechopen.com, and all entries must be received by May 30,
2009.
"When we created the Clean Tech Open, we were focused on creating an
ecosystem in which the next generation of innovation and talent could connect
with the funding, experience and can-do attitude of Silicon Valley," said Marc
Gottschalk, co-founder, Clean Tech Open. "Having achieved tremendous results,
we're now eager to see what's next as the competition expands its reach to
other parts of the U.S. This is just the beginning."
About the Clean Tech Open
The Clean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation. A non-profit
organization founded in 2006, it provides today's clean tech innovators with
the tools, training and connections they need to become tomorrow's viable
clean tech businesses. The core of the Clean Tech Open is an annual regional
business competition, supported by expert volunteers and mentors, that
provides entrepreneurs with the crucial business training, services and
insights they need to go to market successfully. The Clean Tech Open has
assisted dozens of companies in raising nearly $125M in funding, and has
spurred the creation of hundreds of jobs in California. Fueled by a network of
over 400 volunteers and sponsors, the Clean Tech Open unites the public and
private sectors in a shared vision for making America's clean tech sector a
thriving economic engine. Past alumni successes include Adura Technologies,
Cool Earth Solar and GreenVolts. To learn more, visit: www.cleantechopen.com.
To learn more, visit: http://www.cleantechopen.com; Twitter: cleantechopen
