Pacific Northwest’s Top Cleantech Organizations Partner to Accelerate Startup Businesses
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The CleanTech Alliance and Oregon BEST today announced the launch of a new business accelerator that will assist cleantech startups throughout the Pacific Northwest by leveraging the region's unique clean technology business and research assets.
The Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator will tap an extensive regional network of cleantech expertise, organizations and research labs to deliver mentorship, access, curriculum and other forms of support designed specifically for early-stage cleantech startups founded in the Pacific Northwest. Details are now available at www.cascadiacleantech.org.
“Our region is uniquely positioned to lead the nation in clean technology innovation, but launching and sustaining a successful cleantech company presents unique challenges. For this reason, Oregon BEST and the CleanTech Alliance teamed up and designed this new accelerator program specific to cleantech market forces,” said David Kenney, President and Executive Director of Oregon BEST. “The Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by today’s cleantech startups, ranging from disrupting entrenched industries to building a successful hardware company in a software world.”
The Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator will focus on business modeling, customer discovery and product development, go-to-market strategy, financing and funding and creation of industry connections needed to succeed. Each participating cleantech startup will receive:
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Mentorship from cleantech industry leaders to help with business planning, intellectual property protection, marketing, financing and more.
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Connections throughout the networks of both Oregon BEST and the CleanTech Alliance to provide access to industry leaders, service providers and investors from across the region.
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Hands-on business and financing workshops to assist with business model creation, product development, market development and funding strategies.
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Customer discovery assistance to hone minimally viable product and go-to-market strategy.
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Company and brand visibility from established CleanTech Alliance and Oregon BEST industry events, programs and marketing outreach.
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Access to prize money. Participating teams compete for three cash prizes totaling $10,000, plus in-kind services from accelerator partners.
“Connections matter for cleantech startups. Getting in front of the right partner, customer or investor at the right time can mean the difference between accelerated success or prolonged frustration,” said J. Thomas Ranken, President and CEO of the CleanTech Alliance. “The CleanTech Alliance and Oregon BEST both have the industry connections and expertise in place to assist early-stage cleantech startups, giving them a leg up on long-term viability.”
Applications for the 2016 Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator program close May 15th. Because it is non-dilutive, startups can take part in the Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator as a standalone offering or as an add-on with other business accelerators or incubators. To learn more, contact Gabe Boeckman at gabe@www.cleantechalliance.org or Vanessa Margolis at vanessa.margolis@oregonbest.org.
About CleanTech Alliance
CleanTech Alliance Washington is the largest state cleantech trade association in the nation, representing 300 businesses and organizations. Founded in 2007 by business leaders, the Alliance facilitates the generation and growth of cleantech companies, jobs, products and services to advance the state’s position as a leader in cleantech. The Alliance offers a range of business services and benefits uniquely designed to help businesses gain visibility, access services at a lower cost and benefit from public policy advocacy. Learn more at www.CleanTechAlliance.org.
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About Oregon BEST
Oregon BEST funds and assists cleantech startups, bringing together Oregon’s significant R&D strengths to support entrepreneurs in the creation of new products and services. As the nexus for clean technology innovation, Oregon BEST builds capability, convenes collaborations and accelerates solutions to environmental challenges that deliver prosperity in all corners of Oregon. More than 250 Oregon BEST Member Faculty and a network of Oregon BEST Labs at four partner universities (Oregon State University, Oregon Tech, Portland State University, and University of Oregon) offer research expertise and lab equipment to industry. Oregon BEST competitively awards Early-Stage Investments to collaborations between startup companies and Oregon BEST Member Faculty at partner universities. Learn more at www.OregonBEST.org.