Since it’s original 2006 launch in Silicon Valley, The Cleantech Open has supported over 460 cleantech companies and helped Alumni raise over $300 million in external capital.
In 2010, the organization launched its first program in Middle America and continued this success by helping all North Central finalist companies secure funding within 6 months of graduating from the program.
Now, with less than two weeks until the 2011 application deadline, Cleantech Open North Central is in the final push to find it’s next entrepreneur success stories.
If you are a cleantech innovator, please sign up today to enter the program and compete on this unique national platform for over $1 million in training, cash and start-up services. If you know someone you think might be interested in participating, please share this information with them today. Here are the general categories we are accepting applicants for:
* Air, Water and Waste
* Energy Efficiency
* Renewables
* Smart Power, Green Grid, Storage
* Transportation
* Green Building
If you would like more information or assistance in preparing your initial submission, please RSVP and join us today, May 12th for the Application webinar at: http://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi/events/400/view
The 2011 Application deadline is May 24th, so get started today at: http://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi/content/competition/business/index
Also, we are excited to announce a new benefit for 2011 Applicants, the potential access to Autodesk’s Design Suite Ultimate 2012! Here is the scoop:
**The Cleantech Open, in collaboration with Autodesk, is pleased to present an exclusive offer for Cleantech Open Semi-Finalists. The Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program will provide a full commercial software license of the new Autodesk® Product Design Suite Ultimate 2012 at no cost (up to $10,000 value) to all semi-finalists who attend either the East or West Coast Academies. Autodesk staff will also be on-hand to provide free, onsite training during the Academies.
In terms of benefits for all participants, each company will receive written feedback from expert judges, exposure to investors, and complementary access to attend and exhibit at the year-end North Central Awards Gala and Trade Expo on October 6th.
For those that advance to the Semi-finals, there is a broader list of benefits including a personalized media plan, participation in Cleantech Open’s reknown bootcamp Academies in Silicon Valley and/or Boston, and complementary access to the Alumni program which includes a 3-part investor series that puts you in front of top VC, Angel and corporate investors from around the country. For more information, download this flier and glance at page 2: 2011 Applicant Recruitment Flyer.
We look forward to helping you crystallize your business strategies, drive innovation, acquire early stage investment, create jobs, and learn a more sustainable way of doing business. Join the Cleantech Revolution today!
Sincerely,
Justin Kaster
Regional Director, North Central Cleantech Open
Cleantech Investment Banking, Cherry Tree, LLC
