California's Clean Tech "Game Changers" Announced

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nineteen California companies have been chosen as the 2011 "Game Changers of the Year" in Clean Technology by Grow-California for their impact on California's green industry. The award winners were selected from more than 200 nominees.

Each company will receive "Game Changer of the Year" awards at the Clean Tech Innovation Conference at the Kaiser Center, in downtown Oakland, November 2nd and 3rd.

"The Selection Committee was faced with the difficult decision to choose from a comprehensive list of over 200 quality nominees," said Neil Paschall, Selection Committee Chair and a Managing Director with the national investment banking firm, McLean Group, LLC.  He added, "We reached out to investors, academia and other professionals in the clean tech industry for input to make our final decisions.  As a result, the selected honorees are true leaders in the sector and are an excellent representation of California's leading role in clean tech research and development."

The Clean Tech Innovation Conference comes at a time when many political and industry leaders have been advocating support for green technology to create much-needed jobs, improve the economy and lessen our demand on fossil fuels.  Yet, the recent failure of Solyndra and other clean tech firms have caused some to question whether the California clean tech industry will continue to grow and become the sustainable economic driver that supporters claim.

"This is an elite group of clean tech innovators who represent California's path forward for maintaining its leadership role and the exciting economic potential the industry can provide for generations to come," said Jon Gregory, chief executive officer, of Grow-California.  He added, "The reality is that there are a number of clean tech companies thriving in California because of their vision, leadership and ability to transform innovative ideas into reality."

Grow-California, the conference organizer, is dedicated to fostering jobs and creating wealth in California by connecting entrepreneurs, growth companies and market leaders with talent, capital and customers.  For more information about the conference or the "Game Changer" winners, visit: www.grow-california.com

SOURCE Grow-California