2009 Clean Tech Open Makes Final Call for Entries

May 14, 2009 - PRLog -- The Clean Tech Open (www.cleantechopen.com), the innovation catalyst that helps great ideas become viable clean tech businesses, announced the deadline for entering this year’s competition is Saturday, May 30.

Entrepreneurs in the five-state Rocky Mountain region, which includes Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, are encouraged to enroll soon in order to secure a place in the competition.  Clean Tech start-ups from the region will compete against entrepreneurs from across the country for more than $1 million in prizes.

“The Rocky Mountain region is rapidly becoming a clean tech hub, and a leader in turning good ideas into green collar jobs and sustainable businesses,” said Richard Franklin, co-chair of the Clean Tech Open, Rocky Mountain chapter, based in Denver.  “We challenge clean tech entrepreneurs across the region to go from start-up to success with this competition.”

A Proven Model
As the leading clean tech business competition, the Clean Tech Open has already helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies—and subsequently raise over $125 million in external funding—since its inception in 2006.

Early-stage startups in the Rocky Mountain region are invited to enter in the competition from a variety of clean tech categories, including renewable energy, transportation, smart power, energy efficiency, green building, and air/water/waste management. More information on the competition is here: http://www.cleantechopen.com/competition.php?page=home

Rocky Mountain startups will first compete for three regional prizes of cash and services worth $50,000.  Similar regional competitions will also take place in California and the Pacific Northwest. Twelve regional winners will then face off in a national competition, vying for the Grand Prize of $250,000 in cash and services.

In addition, semifinalists will be invited to participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing and sustainability.

The Clean Tech Open is made possible by the generous support provided by National Expansion Sponsor, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Platinum Sponsor, PG&E; Gold Sponsors The Cleantech Circle, Google, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati; Silver Sponsors Accretive Solutions and RoseRyan; and Program Sponsors California Clean Energy Fund, Ernst and Young, and Korn/Ferry International.

The Clean Tech Open is also partnering with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest U.S. foundation that focuses on advancing entrepreneurship and innovation.

About the Clean Tech Open
Clean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation, and the impetus behind the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge. 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 Clean Tech Open is an annual 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 over 120 companies raise more than $125 million in external 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.

For More Information:

Morrison Shafroth,
Contact for general inquiries and Montana
720-470-3653
mshafroth@csg-pr.com

Marie Rotter,
Contact for Utah and New Mexico
(303) 907-9826
marierotter@gmail.com
Pam Peccolo,
Contact for Colorado and Wyoming
303.521.8207
ppeccolo@aol.com