Cleantech Innovate 2016: Join the Commercial Low Carbon Stars of the Future

LONDON - Sept. 22, 2015 - PRLog -- ecoConnect CIC, the UK’s green industry business network, is looking for the next wave of low carbon technology stars who will secure the finalist places at its Cleantech Innovate showcase, which takes place on 11 February 2016 in London. The event offers early stage companies the opportunity to pitch live to an audience of investors, buyers, industry specialists and support agencies. Applications close on 5 October 2015. Until then, participants can register via http://www.cleantechinnovate.com. The finalists will be announced on 2 November 2015.

Now in its fourth year, Cleantech Innovate celebrates the very best of commercial low carbon innovation from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and (for the first time) Switzerland. This year’s event is the biggest so far, with a new venue (The Royal Institution of Great Britain, holding an audience of over 300), more exhibitors and a new international dimension thanks to headline partner, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. The search is now underway for the 36 companies who will present live at Cleantech Innovate in London on 11 February 2016.

Participating companies are from a variety of low carbon sectors:

·        Built Environment

·        Smart Mobility

·        Smart Cities

·        Aqua & Agri Culture

·        Renewable Energy

·        Energy Storage

·        Energy Efficiency

·        Water & Waste Management

Presenting companies will be scrutinised by a discerning audience: investors seeking new investment opportunities in the cleantech sector; corporate buyers looking for green solutions and partnerships; dealmakers from law and accountancy firms; and journalists covering the sector and its trends.

At Cleantech Innovate 2015, British startup Celtic Renewables Ltd won the Perfect Pitch Award. Mark Simmers, CEO at Celtic Renewables, commented: “We were delighted to be able to speak directly to an audience of potential investors and to introduce them to our patented process that converts the by-products from the Scottish Malt Whisky industry into high performance biofuels. We are confident that we’ll be able to commercialise our technology in order to build a large scale bio-refinery and develop a sustainable biobutanol industry in Scotland.”

Only companies based in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland are eligible to apply. All finalists will be selected via a highly competitive application process and will be assessed by a selection committee. Judging criteria include demonstrating a strong IP and investability with particular relevance to the venture capital and angel investor community. Delegate registration is also open, with an early bird registration fee of £140 plus VAT applying until 14 November 2015.

Cleantech Innovate is organised by ecoConnect CIC, the UK’s green industry business network, which connects individuals and companies working in the low carbon sector by providing essential links to investment, business support and industry expertise.

Robert Hokin, Co-Founder of ecoConnect CIC, said: “Cleantech is the UK’s most dynamic and growing sector, worth over £120 billion and one area of the economy expected to maintain positive growth rates for the future. It is a key employment sector, with almost 1 million people currently employed. We are proud to enable the sector’s innovators to present directly to an audience of investors, buyers, industry specialists and support agencies.”

Cleantech Innovate London takes place on Thursday, 11 February 2016 from 8.45 am until 8 pm (including an evening reception) at The Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS. Registrations for presenting companies and delegates are now open via http://www.cleantechinnovate.com.

ecoConnect is also accepting applications for Cleantech Innovate Scotland, which takes place on Thursday, 9 June 2016 from 8.45 am until 7.30 pm at Glasgow Caledonian University. To apply, register as a delegate or for details of partner opportunities please contact catherine.hokin@ecoconnect.org.uk.

The programme partners for Cleantech Innovate 2016 are Autodesk, Carbon Limiting Technologies (CLT), the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), Innovate UK, Network for Eco-Innovation Investment, Marks&Clerk Intellectual Property Services, Penningtons Manches, Smith & Williamson, the Swiss Confederation and Zero Waste Scotland.

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Contact information:

For further information, photos, press passes or interview requests, please contact:

·        Andrea Krug, Krug Communications Ltd, tel. +44 (0)7740 245 867, email: andrea@krugcomms.com.

·        Catherine Hokin,Co-Founder and Director, ecoConnect CIC, catherine.hokin@ecoconnect.org.uk

Notes to Editors

About Cleantech Innovate
Established in 2013, the Cleantech Innovate programme of low carbon showcases celebrates the very best of green industry innovation from the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and (from 2016) Switzerland, with showcases in London (11 February 2016) and Glasgow (9 June 2016). Cleantech Innovate gives companies the opportunity to present their innovations live, and delegates the chance to spot the low carbon stars of the future while networking with an outstanding audience of investors, buyers and industry specialists. All finalists will be selected via a highly competitive application process and then selection committees for both London and Scotland. For the full list of 2015 finalists please visit www.cleantechinnovte.com/londonpresenters2015.

About ecoConnect CIC
ecoConnect CIC is the UK’s green industry business network, connecting companies (from SMEs to corporates), communities and individuals working in the low carbon sector by providing essential links to investment, business support, industry expertise and thought-leadership. Glasgow- based but with a UK-wide reach, ecoConnect runs expert-led networking forums, low-carbon specific investment programmes (live pitches and online) and workshops and supports the development of green technology innovation through its annual showcase, Cleantech Innovate. A not-for-profit, politically independent agency, ecoConnect is working to accelerate the UK’s transition to a Green Economy.