Monday, January 23, 2012

USA:

$200,000 Clean Energy Challenge Now Open!

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a new business plan competition. Starting with 6 regional competitions, the event culminates in a national competition in Washington, DC, that features a $200,000 grand prize.

First Look West (FLoW) is the name of the Western Region competition, led by the California Institute of Technology. One half of your team members must be students attending an accredited U.S. university who hold (or will hold) a minimum of 20% equity in the company. Teams: Apply by February 15.


Three teams from each state are expected to be elevated to the regional competition at Caltech in Pasadena, where $200,00 in cash prizes will be awarded to help launch your company. FLoW finalistsalso will be accepted into the Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy commercialization program at the University of California, Davis in June. FLoW winners are also eligible to participate in the Cleantech Open 2012 competition, which includes mentoring and business education seminars on topics from creating the business plan to filing IP and financing.

A brief application is required by February 15, 2012.