The Cleantech Open finds, funds, and fosters the big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. They develop clean technology startup entrepreneurs through a highly successful cleantech business competition and programs. The Pacific Northwest region of the Cleantech Open supports clean technology innovators in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
The Pacific Northwest region is pleased to announce its largest ever class of Semifinalists for the 2011 competition. Out of 30 applicants, 17 were selected to continue in the competition and participate in the Cleantech Open’s mentoring and Academy programs in preparation for final judging in the fall. The announcements were made during the Washington Clean Tech Alliance’s “Growing Clean Tech Business” Conference in Bellevue this week.
Once again this year, they had a strong showing of highly qualified applicants, making the first-round judging challenging. This year’s semifinalists are predominantly in two categories: Energy Generation/Renewables and Green Building. Smaller numbers of semifinalists are in AirWaterWaste, Efficiency, Smart Power/Grid and Transportation, with all six of Cleantech Open’s categories represented in the region.
Here are the semifinalist Seattle-based companies to watch for:
Clarian Power, Seattle, WA (Smart Power/Grid)
Currently, there is no automated way to connect and activate the increasing array of “smart” consumer appliances and sync them with the power grid. Clarian’s Device Activation Platform streamlines the connection process, provides a full inventory of devices connected to the utility network with the ability to control and revoke access as devices come online, and is backed by a robust business rules schema. Think VeriSign for smart-grid devices. The Clarian Energy Data Service overlays device info with demographic data to identify growth and problem areas in advance with the ability aggregate RECs and green credits. Think Zillow for smart homes and devices. Clarian is a returning 2009 Cleantech Open alumnus.
GreenSimian, Seattle, WA (Energy Generation/Renewables)
The SolCurve platform is a chipset, software and thin-film photovoltaic that can harvest light in speeds and capacity substantial enough to deliver meaningful charge to pervasive lithium-batteries in smartphones and other consumer devices.
IDEAbuilder, Seattle/Portland (Green Building)
Application of robotic fabrication and real-time design and simulation technologies to address the growing global market for architecturally-compelling, high-performance green buildings constructed using advanced fabrication and modularization systems in 1/3 of the time and at lower cost than conventional buildings constructed by traditional building companies – thereby making green building affordable to the mass market.
Check out the Cleantech Open site for more information. Keep your eyes on the 2011 Cleanteach Open competition for news about finalists and winners later on this year.
