On February 27, 2012 at the 8th Australasia Cleantech Forum, the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) opened nominations for its 2012 Later Stage Awards. At the same event, the GCCA officially welcomed Australia Cleantech as a cluster member. The annual awards recognize the world’s most innovative and fast-growing green technology companies. Nominated companies from the GCCA’s over 35-member clusters, will be judged by a panel of over 30 cleantech investors who collectively manage $3.5 billion in cleantech capital. This year’s new categories of Sustainable IT and Tidal/Hydropower highlight these maturing sectors.
“The cleantech sector continues to grow, despite economic fluctuations,” said Shawn Lesser co-founder of the GCCA .“ With the Later Stage Awards, we are spotlighting creative and ground-breaking technology solutions that are at the same time viable, socially relevant, and revenue-generating.”
With the addition of 13 new cleantech clusters to GCCA membership since 2011, the 2012 Later Stage Awards are slated to be more diverse and competitive. GCCA member clusters have until April 30, 2012 to submit their nominations. Once named, companies nominated must contribute their own information by June 30, 2012 to be considered for the award. The 2012 Later Stage Award winners will be announced in Savannah, GA on November 13, 2012.
“We’re committed to making local cleantech global,” said Ben Taube, Executive Chairman of the GCCA. “Companies who are already members of their regional cleantech clusters, or who become members, can be nominated for the awards. Though this system, the GCCA supports the life-blood of cluster organizations, such as membership and company involvement.”
Each GCCA member cluster may nominate up to 10 companies in a variety of categories. The 2012 Later Stage Award categories include:
- Biofuels
- Energy Storage
- Lighting/Energy Efficiency
- Solar Energy
- Smart Grid/Sustainable IT
- Tidal/Hydropower
- Transportation
- Waste Management
- Water Treatment
- Wind Energy
“The introduction of the new categories allows us to account for a greater variety of clean technologies growing in the marketplace today,” said Later Stage Awards Head Judge Dr. Peter Adriaens of the University of Michigan. “These are areas are in the new trajectories of cleantech investment and it’s important for us to spotlight our member companies who are excelling in those fields.”
For more information on the nomination process, click here.