Want to learn more about how local technology companies are “greenovating”—or interested in investing in clean technology for your own home or business? Officials at the Clean Tech Open Pacific Northwest will announce twelve semi-finalists in its first annual clean technology business competition at a special event on Thursday, June 25th. Open to employees of competing companies as well as the public, the event will highlight twelve regional companies whose proposals represent outstanding innovation and sustainability in the technology field.
The semi-finalist announcement comes less than a month after a study from the Pew Charitable Trusts declared that “the nation’s clean-energy economy is poised for explosive growth.” The Clean Tech Open and the city of Seattle—recently ranked as the #3 city in the nation for clean technology start-ups—are poised at the center of this growth. A record number of participants at the 2009 Open reflects this rapidly expanding interest; this year, the open received 275 applications to participate – up dramatically from 125 entries in 2008.
The Clean Tech Open solicits business proposals and pitches from young clean energy start-up companies. Semi-finalists participate in an intensive weekend of education, consulting, and mentoring, then submit a 20-page business plan and give a 15-minute pitch to a panel of expert judges. From these semi-finalists, twelve finalists (six from the Open’s California region; three from the Pacific Northwest; and three from the Rocky Mountain region) will compete in the national competition for a chance at the National Prize Package, which includes a large cash award.
The Pacific Northwest Semi-Finalist event is open to paid contestants of the 2009 competition, members of the public interested in the Clean Tech Open or clean tech start-ups, and volunteers.
Visit enterpriseSeattle’s Clean Tech Open event page for more information on how to register for the event.