SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- 11/04/09 --
The Cleantech Open today released the
line-up of keynote speakers and presenters for its Grand Expo & Awards Gala
at the Masonic Center in San Francisco, on November 17. Dubbed the "Academy
Awards of Clean Technology," the event marks the grand finale of the
Cleantech Open's yearlong business competition. The event showcases the
boldest in clean technology, the most nation's most ambitious
entrepreneurs, and the brightest, most engaged investors, venture
capitalists and prospective technology customers. In addition, a roster of
thought leaders in clean technology, green policy, ecology, investment
strategy and entrepreneurship will set the stage for the day's proceedings.
Speakers and presenters include:
Bill Weihl
As Green Energy Czar at Google, Weihl leads efforts in energy efficiency
and renewable energy while managing Google's greenhouse gas footprint.
Dennis Hightower
Deputy Secretary of Commerce, and a seasoned business executive with a
40-year career in the public and private sectors, Hightower is responsible
for ensuring that the Department of Commerce leads the way in government
efficiency, effectiveness, and performance management.
Steve Westly
Prior to founding The Westly Group, Westly served as the controller and
chief fiscal officer of the state of California. During his four-year term,
he led an effort to commit more than $1 billion to clean technology
investments. He also served as the California co-chair for the Obama for
President Campaign in 2008.
Gil Friend
CEO and president at Natural Logic, Friend is a systems ecologist and
business strategist with 35 years' experience in business, communications,
and environmental innovation.
Lesa Mitchell
As vice president of innovation at Kauffman Foundation, Mitchell has been
responsible for the Foundation's frontier work in understanding the policy
levers that influence the advancement of innovation from universities into
the commercial market.
The most prestigious and influential cleantech event of the year
Gala presenters will join hundreds of finalist and alumni companies, along
with thousands of clean technology supporters and enthusiasts, for a day
that will immerse them in networking, discovery and funding. The event
opens with an exposition floor filled more than 120 cleantech companies,
followed by a series of presentations and pitches from Cleantech Open
Global Ideas Competition finalists from around the world. The afternoon
continues with the main awards ceremony, in which the 2009 National
Cleantech Open Winner will be announced and presented with a $250,000 prize
package. Afterward, the Expo floor will reopen for continued networking
opportunities. In addition, a private champagne reception will host Inner
Circle Ticket Holders, speakers, sponsors, finalists and the Cleantech Open
2009 Winner.
Where, when, how to register
2009 Cleantech Open Grand Expo & Awards Gala
Nob Hill Masonic Center
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
November 17, 2009
10 am PT - 8pm PT
RSVP/REGISTRATION REQUIRED at www.cleantechopen.com
The Cleantech Open is made possible by the generous support provided by
National Expansion Sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Platinum Sponsor: PG&E; Gold Sponsors:
Autodesk, The Cleantech Circle, Google, Southern California Edison, San
Diego Gas and Electric, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati; Silver
Sponsors: Accretive Solutions and RoseRyan; and Program Sponsors:
California Clean Energy Fund, Ernst and Young, and Korn/Ferry
International.
Media and outreach partners include the Matter Network, San Francisco
Business Times, Greener World Media, TriplePundit.com, Sustainable
Industries and Sustainable Life Media.
Journalists are encouraged to visit www.cleantechopenmedia.com for news and
updates.
The Cleantech Open is the world's largest cleantech business competition.
Their mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that
address today's most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges.
The program provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic
relationships to turn ideas into successful global cleantech companies.
Since 2006, through its one-of-a-kind annual business competition and
mentorship program, the Cleantech Open has enabled hundreds of
clean-technology startups bring their breakthrough ideas to fruition,
helping alumni contestants raise over $125m and making thousands of green
collar jobs possible. Fueled by a network of more than 400 volunteers and
sponsors, the Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a
shared vision to transform America's cleantech sector into a thriving
economic engine. For more information, visit www.cleantechopen.com, and
follow @cleantechopen on Twitter.
In addition to the original competition held in California, the Cleantech
Open was expanded in 2009 to include two new regions: the Rocky Mountain
region (including Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; and the
Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Cleantech
entrepreneurs will compete for a total of more than $1 million in prizes.
Past alumni successes include Adura Technologies, Cool Earth Solar,
Enverity, Federspiel Controls, GreenVolts, GroundSource GeoThermal, Lucid
Design Group, Mission Motors, and Syncromatics.
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For interviews, media passes or more information:
Tim Cox
ZingPR
650-369-7784
Email Contact
