Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators the resources they need to launch and grow successful cleantech businesses. Our one-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem built over the last 10 years of programming spans key cleantech innovation hubs in the U.S., linking labs and universities, service providers, investors, corporations, governments, and other cleantech incubators and accelerators. Through our annual accelerator, we provide between 100-150 companies in the U.S. a rich program of customer discovery, extensive mentoring, training, investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels. Since 2006, more than 70% of our reporting U.S. alumni companies are still operating and have collectively raised over $1.2B in external funding. Join this exciting community and be a part of our global network of innovation.
Cleantech Open provides tangible benefits:
- World-class mentoring: receive intensive, tailored mentoring from experienced business experts and gain access to one of the world's only cleantech-specific expert networks.
- Hands-on training: 12-week series of intensive workshops, boot camps, and webinars to launch your startup to the next level. These events will be virtual as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
- Prizes: In 2021, U.S. Cleantech Open plans to award a mix of cash and in-kind services to the winners of its showcasing events. This includes:
- Up to $75,000 in cash investment* to winners of our regional and national showcasing competitions in the U.S.
- Up to $50,000 of in-kind services - each cash/investment award will be matched with up to an equal amount in services.
- The opportunity to win more prizes as they are announced.
- Networking: connect to a powerful national network of influencers and entrepreneurs.
- Visibility: showcase your startup to investors, strategic partners, and customers through specialized connection events as well as through social media and press releases.
- Alumni: on-going engagement for teams who’ve completed Cleantech Open, including introductions to investors and corporate partners, participation in Challenges, networking events.
As with most endeavors, what you get out of Cleantech Open is based on the effort and intensity of what you put in. Don’t expect to simply sign up and expect to win a prize!
*All awards are subject to change at Cleantech Open’s sole discretion and may vary from region to region. The cash component of each award may be provided as a grant or as seed capital (investment). The grand prize is provided as seed capital (investment) in the form of a convertible note.
CTO adapts to the Coronavirus / COVID-19 crisis. As a consequence of eliminating in-person events until June, we're strengthening our online accelerator capabilities, so we can now accept startups from anywhere in the US, Canada and even overseas! Second, we will hold our famed 2-day National Academy bootcamps VIRTUALLY with Zoom and enhanced networking elements. Read more below on our full initiative. We've got a bang-up Global Forum planned this October in Silicon Valley. Please, stay safe!
Requirements
Technology
Your technology must fit into one of these categories.
- Energy Generation
- Energy Distribution & Storage
- Energy Efficiency
- Chemicals & Advanced Materials
- Information & Communications Technologies (ICT)
- Green Building
- Transportation
- Agriculture, Water & Waste
Confused about how your technology fits? Please view the FAQs tab.
Funding
Cleantech Open supports early-stage startups. Most startups in our program have less than $1.5MM in funding from private investors or less than $10MM in funding from family, friends, and grants. There are exceptions, however, and we encourage you to apply even if your funding levels are higher. We'll evaluate your fit with the program holistically, considering your company's ability to benefit from the program.
Company
You must have at least two members.
Participation
At least one team member must actively engage with the Accelerator by participating in meetings or events that are part of the program, and by submitting final deliverables before Final Judging. There are only two mandatory events at the National level: 1) the National Academy (you choose East or West) and 2) the Global Forum. There are several mandatory events at the Regional level: 1) Business Clinics and 2) Regional Showcase.
Conflict of Interest
You MAY NOT apply if you are an Accelerator volunteer, judge, expert, advisor, mentor, chair, regional director, or if you are in any other way involved with the organization or operation of the accelerator. Immediate family members of the aforementioned people are also ineligible.
You MAY apply if you are affiliated with the accelerator's sponsors and/or partners, as long as you or a family member are not directly involved in the operation of the Cleantech Open, as above.
If you are accepted as an entrepreneur or company participating in the Cleantech Open Accelerator, individuals involved in the running of the Cleantech Open may advise or mentor you, within the rules of the Accelerator, but such individuals may not take a direct interest in your company (such as an equity stake or a paid position) and may not participate as company members until after the Global Forum in the year of your participation.
Inscríbase 
