Cleantech Open Announces South Central Competition Semifinalists

AUSTIN, Texas, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --The South Central region of the Cleantech Open (www.cleantechopen.org) business competition announced that 11 semifinalist teams have been selected to represent the region in the world's biggest cleantech business competition. The semifinalists were selected from a talented pool of cleantech entrepreneurs from across Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas who submitted entries this year.

The 11 regional semifinalist teams will compete for regional prizes including combined cash and in-kind services worth up to $80,000, with the winners advancing to represent the region and compete at the national level for a grand prize of up to $250,000 in cash and services, and an overall prize chest of nearly $1 million.

Over the next few months, the semifinalist teams will receive coaching from the Cleantech Open network of talented business mentors, one-on-one consulting with specialists, an intensive business boot camp at the Cleantech Open National Academy, and extensive local supporting events, training and materials. This support helps each team develop a comprehensive business plan and investor pitch that will be presented to professional investors and experts to determine which teams will advance to the finals.

"The quality of our applicants, as well as their diversity, indicates a positive growth opportunity in the South Central region," said Laura Benold, regional coordinator of the Cleantech Open and manager at CTSI. "We look forward to developing these new relationships over the coming months and experiencing the launch of their ideas alongside the entrepreneurs."

The semifinalists for the 2011 Cleantech Open South Central regional competition are:

To learn more, visit www.cleantechopen.com. To get involved in the South Central region as a judge or sponsor, contact Laura Benold, [email protected].

Cleantech Open Sponsors

The Cleantech Open is made possible by the generous support provided by our Global Partner, Chevron; Global Foundation Partner, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Global Commercialization Partner, CTSI; National Premier Sponsor, University of Phoenix; and National Sponsors, Autodesk and Wells Fargo. Regional competitions are additionally sponsored by the following corporate partners: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati (multi-region), Deloitte (multi-region), Jones Lang Lasalle (multi-region), CTSI, CalCEF, Commercial Energy, Faegre & Benson, Google, Grundfos, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Mintz Levin, Patton Boggs, PG&E, and Reed Smith.

About CTSI:

The Clean Technology & Sustainable Industries Organization (CTSI), a 501c6 non-profit industry association, represents the organizations developing, commercializing, and implementing energy, water, and environmental technologies. Clean technologies offer much needed solutions to growing resource security and sustainability concerns and are critical to maintaining economic competitiveness. CTSI brings together global leaders for advocacy, community development, networking, and information sharing to help bring these needed technologies to market more rapidly. Visit www.ct-si.org for more information.

About The Cleantech Open:

The Cleantech Open runs the world's largest cleantech business competition. Its mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today's most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies. Since 2006, through its one-of-a-kind annual business competition and mentorship program, the Cleantech Open has enabled hundreds of clean-technology startups to bring their breakthrough ideas to fruition, helped alumni contestants raise over $300M, and created an estimated 2,500 green-collar jobs. Fueled by a global network of more than 1,000 volunteers and sponsors, the Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America's cleantech sector a thriving economic engine. For more information, visit www.cleantechopen.org, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Media contact:
Laura Benold
[email protected]
512-800-9798

SOURCE CTSI