NREL's industry growth forum brings together energy innovators
The Industry Growth Forum hosted by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) this week attracted nearly 400 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and thought leaders to Denver. Last night, three companies where honored with Best Venture and Outstanding Venture Awards.
The two-day forum highlighted clean energy technology and business developments. In addition to hearing business case presentations from 30 clean energy companies, participants were engaged by a comprehensive lineup of speakers, in-depth panel discussions and organized networking opportunities.
"A high level of technical and business innovation will be necessary to solve our future energy challenges," Richard Adams, NREL's Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center said. "This forum brings together the entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers that will be critical to nurturing that innovation and bringing it to market."
Since 2003, the presenting early stage, pre-commercial, and expanding cleantech companies that have presented have collectively raised more than $5 billion in growth financing.
Three entrepreneurial companies were singled out from the 30 competitively-selected presenters to win the 2014 Clean Energy Venture Awards. Award winners will receive in-kind commercialization support to help increase their chances of becoming commercially successful.
HiQ Solar, Inc. received the top prize, the Best Venture award. This Santa Clara, California based company has developed a new generation photovoltaic string inverter which promises to reduce the cost of commercial solar installations.
An Outstanding Venture award went to ClearCove Systems. This Rochester, New York company is focused on renewable energy resource recovery in wastewater treatment processes.
An Outstanding Venture award also went to Wetzel Blade. This Pflugerville, Texas company has developed an innovative, field-assembled, component-based wind turbine blade.
More information:
www.industrygrowthforum.org/
Provided by National Renewable Energy Laboratory
