Learn How Participation in the Cleantech Open Accelerator Can Help Propel your Startup
If you are an aspiring cleantech entrepreneur with an innovation you feel is poised to make an impact in one of our nation’s fastest growing economic sectors, please do not miss tomorrow’s Cleantech Open Kickoff 2024. Yes, on Thursday, February 29, from 5 – 8PM, E2Tech and the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) will host an informational event focused around the Cleantech Open accelerator program – – the world’s largest and oldest cleantech startup accelerator – – and how it can help participants develop successful cleantech ventures.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I want to note that most of the information and quotes for this month’s blog were creatively swiped from webpages and announcements from our partners at E2Tech and NECEC but please do not let that diminish the importance of my message.
In fact, with clean energy among the country’s fastest growing economic sectors, cleantech entrepreneurs in Maine should take a few minutes to learn more about the financial incentives and logistical support that is being offered to compete in the Cleantech Open’s Northeast cohort.
Tomorrow’s networking and informational event is free for Cleantech Open 2024 prospective startup founders, Cleantech Open Alumni and Mentors, as well as students. The event will allow you to meet the Cleantech Open Northeast team and learn about opportunities to participate in the 2024 Cleantech Open cohort. You will also hear from Cleantech Open alumni about their experiences in the program. It will be a unique and advantageous opportunity for you to meet and network with other clean energy entrepreneurs and to explore new avenues for promoting the sector in Maine.
The Cleantech Open provides participants with several months’ worth of vital training, mentoring, and event participation. It is open to startups that have a technology that fits into one of the following categories: Energy Generation, Energy Distribution & Storage, Energy Efficiency, Chemicals & Advanced Materials, Information & Communications Technologies (ICT), Green Building, Transportation, and Agriculture, Water & Waste. It also requires a founding team of at least two individuals.
The Maine Technology Institute (MTI), in an effort to promote greater participation by Maine startups in the accelerator, has funding available to offset the fees to participate in the valuable accelerator program. Amply, an MTI portfolio company, participated in last year’s Cleantech Open Northeast Cohort. MTI covered their participation fee in the program and they represented Maine extremely well, winning one of the accelerator’s top regional prizes and $10,000 in cash plus additional in-kind services and specialty prizes. They also earned an opportunity to compete in the Cleantech Open Global Forum last fall in California.
So, if you have an idea that could positively impact the planet, do not let cost be a barrier to your attendance. MTI can potentially help. This year we hope to identify five high potential cleantech startups to participate.
Again, accelerator programs like Cleantech Open play a vital role in supporting and hastening the commercialization efforts of promising Maine clean energy ventures. MTI is proud to facilitate greater participation in these types of programs through its strategic partnerships with organizations like E2Tech, NECEC, and the Governor’s Energy Office.
Both Maine’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy and the recent Strengthening Maine’s Clean Energy Economy report identify cleantech as a growth opportunity for Maine that will help the state grow its innovation economy and meet its nation-leading climate and clean energy goals.
Please consider participating in tomorrow’s informational event. Here are the details:
Who should attend: Free attendance for emerging or existing cleantech startups, members of the media, students, and elected officials
When: 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 29, 2024
Where: Portland Gateway, 300 Fore Street, Portland
Visit the E2Tech website for more information and to register.