Minnesota companies account for one-fourth of the start-ups that will
advance from the North-Central region and hope to compete on the
national stage in this year's
Cleantech Open.
The 20 semi-finalists from the 10-state North-Central region include five Minnesota companies in three of the six categories. A
Cleantech Open news release describes the companies:
Green Building category
Supreme Energy Products of Lakeville--Seamless building envelope systems to enable 50-70 percent greater energy savings
Renewable Energy category
Atmosphere Recovery of Eden Prairie--Dramatic energy output increases from gas or liquid-based renewable energy processes
INVELOX of Chaska--Technology for safe, silent, low-cost and high-efficiency wind power generation
Transportation category
CleanTrack of Plymouth--Fleet fuel consumption and hydrocarbon emissions reduction system.
RoutePerfect of Minneapolis--A new fuel optimization technology for the transportation industry
In October, finalists will be chosen from the regions to compete
nationally for up to $250,000 in investment and services and an
opportunity to present in front of 2,000 attendees at The Cleantech
Open's Global Forum in November.
Perhaps more important is the advice, education, and access to investors
that each semifinalist company will receive in the coming months,
including coaching from a network of business mentors, one-on-one
consulting with specialists, an intensive "boot camp," and other local
supporting events and training.
Win or lose, it's an opportunity to develop or perfect business plans
and showcase ideas in search of capital to get a start-up off the ground
This year marks the second year of participation for the North-Central
region in the competition, which began nationally in 2006. Illinois, new
to the region this year, also sends five companies into the semi-final
round.
In total, 163 start-ups made the semifinal round nationwide.
Source: Cleantech Open
Writer: Jeremy Stratton