Clean Tech Open

Minnesota Cup, Cleantech Open offer entrepreneurs support for success

Do you know an emerging clean energy company that could use some help to achieve commercial success? The experience and training available through the collaborative efforts of the Minnesota Cup and Cleantech Open programs may give them the advantage they need to succeed.

The Minnesota Cup and Midwest Cleantech Open have signed a cooperative agreement so that entrepreneurs participating in Minnesota Cup now have access to certain benefits of the Cleantech Open program. Entrepreneurs working with one can better benefit from both.

The Minnesota Cup and Midwest Cleantech Open are now accepting applications from entrepreneurs seeking to transform their vision into a commercial success.

Minnesota entrepreneurs seeking help to commercialize their idea have until May 17 to apply to Minnesota Cup.

Minnesota Cup is free to enter and invites entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses in six divisions (Energy & Clean Tech, High Tech, Life Science & Health IT, Social Entrepreneur, General, and Student) generating less than $1 million per year in revenue to enter. Participants gain access to resources specifically designed to help them succeed; assistance from experts to help refine their investor pitch; an opportunity to pitch their idea to leaders in the business and investor communities; and win a $25,000 division award, and, if they win the entire competition—$40,000 more in cash prizes.

Click Enter the Competition on the Minnesota Cup website to see how easy it is to enter.

Cleantech Open Midwest – North is accepting applications until May 1 for Cleantech Open’s clean technology Accelerator competition. Participants have a chance to compete for prizes valued from $10,000 regionally and $200,000 nationally. All companies, following completion of the five-month program, will be featured as key participants at Cleantech Open’s Midwest Innovation Summit held in Minneapolis; have one-on-one meetings with more than 50 Midwest investors and commercialization partners; showcase their innovation to over 350 from across the Midwest region; and participate in the Global Forum in Silicon Valley. Submissions are accepted in eight categories: Energy Generation, Energy Distribution & Storage, Energy Efficiency, Chemicals & Advanced Materials, Information & Communications Technologies, Green Building, Transportation, Agriculture, and Water & Waste.

Watch this short video to learn more and click here to learn how easy it is to apply before the May 1 deadline:

For information on additional commercialization and development resources, see Minnesota Department of Commerce Clean Energy Project Assistance.

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