CleanTech to SpaceTech: Accelerating Florida Entrepreneurship

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrepreneurs from across the state of Florida can now register to attend the "CleanTech to SpaceTech Showcase".  Carrying the theme "Accelerating Florida Entrepreneurship", the unique, two-day event will unveil exciting new clean technology initiatives, programs, and endeavors.  CleanTech to SpaceTech will take place on September 20-21 at The Florida Hotel in Orlando.

Presented by the Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network Showcase (FL-CAN), Igniting Innovation (I2) Capital Acceleration Network and MegaWatt Ventures, the CleanTech to SpaceTech Showcase is designed to encourage partnerships between entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturing partners, and industry veterans.

"This is the first multi-showcase event of its kind in the state of Florida," said Chester Straub, Executive Director of the Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA). "Clean technologies, life sciences, and space-related technologies are very important sectors to Florida's economic future. We feel it is imperative to not only unveil what new initiatives are on the horizon, but also to offer participants an opportunity to connect with one another and explore partnership opportunities that can create opportunities for the cleantech industry as a whole."

Early-bird registration is $40 through August 31 and includes the full conference, presentations, panels, award ceremony and networking reception.  Continental breakfasts and lunches will be catered by The Florida Hotel.

For more information, or to register for the CleanTech to SpaceTech Showcase, please visit cleantech-to-spacetech.com.

About the CleanTech to SpaceTech Event: The CleanTech to SpaceTech event is a two-day showcase event featuring MegaWatt Ventures, I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase and the Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network.  The event will feature exciting new Cleantech initiatives, programs, and entrepreneurial endeavors while offering the potential for networking with cleantech individuals and companies.  Additional information is available at cleantech-to-spacetech.com.

About FL-CAN: FL-CAN program links Florida-based universities, incubation networks, investors and industry resources together to create a network of Proof of Concept centers to accelerate the creation and commercialization of innovative clean technology research into new technology companies or to license into existing firms.  FL-CAN is administered via a partnership between the University of Central Florida, The Technological Research and Development Authority, and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.

About Igniting Innovation Capital Acceleration Network: Florida's I2 Capital Acceleration Network was launched in early 2011 to provide promising technology companies in Florida accelerated access to industry and capital.  Since launching the I2 program, over 150 companies have participated, with 34 companies selected to participate in the I2 Showcase.  I2 has quickly grown into a "front door" for growth-based technology companies to identify and access the rich array of technology entrepreneurship resources, industry partners, and investors that are located throughout Florida.  Our cornerstone partners are the TRDA Business Innovation Center, Startup America, and Space Florida.

About MegaWatt Ventures: MegaWatt Ventures is an annual clean energy business plan competition that is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy in conjunction with Florida's universities. The competition has an over-riding mission of encouraging the commercialization of innovative energy-related technologies from the lab bench into the marketplace.  Students, entrepreneurs and faculty are all invited to participate in this exciting program.  Selected companies receive seed funding, mentorship and other resources while building a prototype and creating a business plan.  Each year ten companies will compete for $100,000 in a technology showcase event.

This article and all content within was prepared by The University of Central Florida in partnership with the Technological Research and Development Authority and Florida's Energy Systems Consortium under award #04-79-06583 from Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Contact: Christa Santos
407/882-1576 or c) 407-230-7018
[email protected]

SOURCE Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network (FL-CAN)