Clean Tech Open, the innovation catalyst that helps great ideas become viable clean tech businesses, today challenged entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, government agencies, universities, and non-government organizations (NGOs) to participate in the Clean Tech Open’s 100K Jobs Challenge — to create 100,000 clean tech jobs in America over the next five years.

“Entrepreneurs are the key to re-building the nation’s economy; their optimism and innovation
is exactly what the country needs right now,” said Michael Santullo, co-founder of the Clean Tech Open. “Many participants in the Clean Tech Open are first-time entrepreneurs—they have a great idea, but could really use some assistance. This is where the Clean Tech Open steps in: we connect
entrepreneurs with the expertise, talent, and funding to create a successful, sustainable business.”

The ambitious 100K Jobs Challenge is part of an aggressive expansion for Clean Tech Open, the leading clean tech business competition that has already helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies—and subsequently raise over $125 million in external funding—since its inception in 2006.

This year, in addition to the original competition held in California, the Clean Tech Open is expanding to two new regions: the Rocky Mountain region, including Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; and the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Entrepreneurs will compete for a total of more than $1 million in prizes.

"We are excited to bring Clean Tech Open to Colorado and the region,” said Richard Franklin, co-chair of the Clean Tech Open, Rocky Mountain chapter, based in Denver. “This is the hub of the New Energy Economy and this competition will help accelerate the creation of green collar
jobs and a sustainable regional economy.”

“The Pacific Northwest is already a major source of clean technology innovation, whether in fuel cell
technology, synthetic forecasting, advanced biofuels and biomass, ocean energy and energy efficiency,” said John Pierce, co-chair of Clean Tech Open Pacific Northwest chapter, based in Seattle, and Member, Renewable Energy and CleanTech Practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich &; Rosati. “This event will sharpen the focus of our region’s venture capitalists, academic institutions
and laboratories on the economic opportunities clean technology offers.”

To help expand its reach, the Clean Tech Open is partnering with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the largest U.S. foundation that focuses on advancing entrepreneurship and innovation.

"We will work with this initiative to help it connect with the organizations, entrepreneurs and innovators interested in advancing green technologies,” said Christine Gulbranson, a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation. “We fully support this vision because whenever you connect entrepreneurs with a solid network of support, you will see companies emerge. And new companies translate to new jobs.”

“The Clean Tech Open works,” said Zach Gentry, CEO, “Back in 2006, our clean tech vision needed support, connections and seed funding to grow. Today, we have 20 employees and have raised more than $5 million in capital. We’re proof that the Clean Tech Open’s support and education of entrepreneurs is the right strategy for growing our economy—locally and nationally.”

The Clean Tech 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, & Gold Sponsors 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.

Early stage startups are invited to enter in six competition categories: renewable energy, transportation, smart power, energy efficiency, green building, and air/water/waste management. More information on the competition is available at www.cleantechopen.com/competition.php

Startups will compete first for regional prizes—$100,000 in cash and services to each of six winners in cash and services worth $50,000 to each of the three winners in both the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. The 12 regional winners will then face off in a national competition, vying for the Grand Prize of $250,000 in cash and services.

The competition is now open in all regions, and startups have until May 30, 2009 to
submit entries. Semifinalists will be selected in each category and invited to participate
in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on
training and experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their
businesses from national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing
and sustainability.

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