Learn more about Cleantech Open Northeast's accelerator by reading about the startups, mentors, partners, and sponsors involved in the program. This report contains specific details about the 2016 program.
3. Ignite Clean Energy is
formed out of the MIT
Enterprise Forum
2005
Ignite Clean Energy merges
with the national Cleantech
Open organization for
enhanced impact and visibility
2010
2016
2015
2012
2014
Over a Decade of Impact
Cleantech Open Northeast expands
beyond New England to New York, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania rebooting a truly
regional accelerator
Cleantech Open Northeast announces
formal alliance with the Northeast Clean
Energy Council (NECEC) to expand services
to alumni. Cleantech Open announces 8
new global accelerators in partnership with
UNIDO
Cleantech Open Northeast celebrates
its 10th anniversary with 285 total
startup graduates. Tank Utility, a
Northeast startup wins the National
Grand Prize
Cleantech Open Northeast attracts
highest ever number of startup
applicants to accelerator program.
NECEC becomes Cleantech Open’s
Northeast regional affiliate,
strengthening collaboration
3
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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7. Strategic Partner Network
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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“Cleantech Open Northeast
gathers the top clean tech start-
ups in the Northeast around a
series of exciting events every
year, that create an unparalleled
opportunity for members of
NECEC's Strategic Partner
Network to participate as judges,
to keep an eye on emerging
trends in the industry and to
network with a cross section of
the cleantech ecosystem.”
- Alistair Pim
Corporate Development
Executive, NECEC
NECEC
"Shell's involvement with Cleantech
Open Northeast and sponsorship of
the inaugural SPN Prize enabled us
to meet the latest cutting-edge
cleantech start-ups in the
Northeast, as well as demonstrate
our commitment to open
innovation. We look forward to
continued collaboration with
CTONE and their program’s
promising cleantech startups.“
-Nathan J Fink
Venture Investor, Shell Technology
Ventures
Shell
"Partnering with CTONE
allowed Schneider Electric to
monitor the latest developments
in the innovation ecosystem and
demonstrate our interest in
startup partnerships. We valued
our ability to collaborate with
CTONE partners through
sponsorship of the Strategic
Partner Network (SPN) prize.
There is so much going on in the
Northeast and this program is the
best way to be fully immersed in
it.“
- Scott Daniels
Energy Storage & Microgrids
Office of the CTO - Edison Expert,
Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric
8. Impact of Events
726
2097total attendees
connections reported by attendees
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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90%
attendees reported that they wanted to attend again
9. Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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“Founding a company is not easy. Founding a cleantech company is even
harder. Cleantech Open provided my company tools and the network that
made taking the first steps of my start-up easier. The sessions, events,
and being surrounded by fellow cleantech entrepreneurs were very
helpful.”
- Yaniv Kalish, CEO SolarKal
“Cleantech Open provided a great opportunity to branch out of our tiny
network of Maine, and to reach hundreds of experienced, exciting
professionals that want to help and provide their input. We feel honored
and excited to be part of the alumni network, and look forward to
continuing to work with this exciting group of people to develop our
business and others in the future.”
- Tony Wood, CEO, FE Wood Natural Energy
10. Innovation Expo & Awards Night
This full day event brought together more than 250 people from the
Northeast cleantech business community for an exciting celebration of
innovation and entrepreneurship. The 25 graduate companies showcased
their businesses, and an all-start panel of judges selected our four regional
finalists to represent the Northeast at Cleantech Open’s Global Forum.
Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Matthew
Beaton, delivered the keynote speech. The event was hosted by Boston
Properties, and sponsored by Deloitte, Sam Adams, and 90+ Cellars.
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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12. Startup Class of 2016
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13. 2016 Regional Finalist
2016 National Water Honor
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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GreenBlu is blue water for our green planet. We
desalinate and purify water using a patent-
pending, carbon-free, zero brine discharge, and
sustainable method that does not use electricity,
chemicals, or membranes.
“Cleantech Open is a great accelerator for
companies starting out in this industry. The
mentorship, feedback, and networking you get
from this program is invaluable. Your efforts are
magnified. You decide how serious to treat the
deadlines and the quality of work in the program,
but it is all work you will have to eventually do as
a startup. Cleantech Open tries to help you do it
better and now.”
-Howard Yuh, CEO
Greenblu
14. 2016 Regional Finalist
2016 National Energy Efficiency Winner
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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Proper Pipe's innovative joint design provides a
Non-Destructive Test (NDT) to the piping industry
that can be performed in seconds at time of
installation. It reduces the time, effort, liability and
logistics of installing and pressure testing a pipe
system.
“When you join Cleantech Open you are joining a
community of experts that are there to accelerate
your company to become a commercial and
sustainable success. Their sprogram is more
rigorous, fun and useful than many academic
business programs. For starters, you are meeting
with real customers, getting feedback from industry
leaders, and CEOs. You then get assigned mentors
that have been in your shoes before. And lastly, they
provide funding and networking opportunities that
can catapult your product to market sooner.”
-Abel Jimenez, CEO
Proper Pipe
15. 2016 Regional Finalist & Northeast
Sustainability Award Winner
2016 National Sustainability Honor
Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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PV Pure has developed
knowledge-based design;
control and maintenance
methods to make small scale
distributed solar powered water
purification systems technically
and economically feasible for
the non-expert end user, in both
commercial and
humanitarian applications.
“Cleantech Open provided PV Pure
the safe space to learn, make
mistakes and grow as a young
company. In just a few weeks, we
have come such a long way and
feel so supported going forward
beyond the program.”
-Huda Elasaad, CEO
PV Pure
16. 2016 Regional Finalist & Northeast Crowd Favorite
2016 National Business Model Honor
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Surge Hydro has created a modular, cost effective, clip-on system
that generates power at dams. By incorporating this proprietary
technology into the companies turnkey solution, Surge Hydro is able
to electrify the nations 80,000 nonpowered dams, providing
sustainable and renewable electricity.
“Cleantech Open paired our company with the right people, made us
ask the right questions, and ultimately helped us focus on what
matters most. We wouldn’t have a company without them.”
-David Markley, CEO
Surge Hydro
17. First Strategic Partner Prize
Winner
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SHAREnergy is the first voluntary energy savings
fund connecting cities to villages through clean
and sustainable solar technology; We use
environmental pledges to finance clean energy
products for women and girls living below the
poverty line in developing countries.
“The program was tremendously valuable to
shape SHAREnergy's business model and a
great opportunity to communicate our progress
with experienced professionals before
presenting to early seed investors.”
-Marisol Rodriguez, CEO
SHAREnergy
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Alumni Impact
$1.2
billion raised
$187
million in revenue
309
graduated startups in
the Northeast
20. Impact of Mentor Program
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“CTO chose a panel of mentors that
was perfectly suited to my company
and my way of working. They have
helped us grow from a project
focused company to a fundable
business model. I am deeply
appreciative of all the time and
effort our mentors spent working
with Sparkplug Power. I highly
recommend CTO to all cleantech
startups.”
-Sean Becker, CEO, Sparkplug Power
291
active mentors
89%
mentors plan to participate next year
93%
mentors who would recommend the
program
88%
graduates who plan to continue a
relationship with their mentors
21. Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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Lindsay Drogin
2016 Volunteer of the Year
VP - Leveraged Finance & Financial Sponsors
Coverage, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking
Corporation
“To be able to join the community of dedicated
entrepreneurs, volunteers and staff of Cleantech
Open Northeast gave me a new orientation about
priorities in my life and career. I have a better
understanding of the tremendous challenges we
have to make our world more sustainable. CTO-NE
gives me a chance to learn, grow, connect with
like-minded individuals, and to concretely do
something positive to stop this destruction - by
helping entrepreneurs combat the ills that spillover
costs from disregarding economic impact on the
environment is costing society.“
22. Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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Featured Volunteers
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Lilly Belanger MD Sakib
Distributed Energy Resources Regional
Manager, ICF International
Director of Membership at New Lab,
Brooklyn Navy Yard
“I’ve loved my time volunteering with CTO. I am
so impressed with the entrepreneurs I’ve met
who are taking risks and doing incredible work.
It is a great feeling to have a role in helping
them to succeed. In addition, I find myself
incredibly inspired by the other volunteers who
have put so much into CTO…because they really
believe in it. I hope to contribute more in the
future!”
“Cleantech Open Northeast gave me the chance
to experience some of the most innovative and
forward thinking entrepreneurs and their
respective companies. It was a great experience
to serve as a mentor and volunteer in the
organization. I had a chance to network and
exchange ideas with various mentors, who are
experts in their own respective fields. I…would
highly recommend this program.”
23. Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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Nicholas Hill
2016 Mentor of the Year
Owner, Hill Energy Services LLC
“Over the past 5 years I’ve found that I get so
much more out of Cleantech Open mentoring
than I put in. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve shared a
lot, and I’ve made good friendships. There’s a
real camaraderie, community, and sense of
shared purpose among the CTO Northeast
mentors, participants, and alumni.”
24. Featured Mentors
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Manoj Rengarajan Christine Jauregui
“From the first few minutes of the Academy, I could
tell the CTONE experience was going to be amazing.
Entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and organizers are
passionate about advancing clean energy,
environmental sustainability, and a low-carbon
future. The sum of everyone's scientific and technical
knowledge, business expertise, and creative problem-
solving ability was electrifying. I was impressed with
how collaborative and collegial the experience was.”
Principal, Social Impact StrategiesVice President, Investment Management,
Prudential International Investments
“I'm deeply impressed by the impact CTO
Northeast has in the nurturing and development
of cleantech startups in the region. CTONE does a
fantastic job of bringing together a diverse
community of volunteers, partners, and sponsors
all towards providing the resources and support to
ventures that have a tremendous potential to
deliver a cleaner environment for the future. It
was very satisfying to work with a group of highly
motivated mentors and volunteers with deep and
varied experience.”
26. Cleantech Open Northeast l 2016 Impact
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Cleantech Navigate Northeast
In 2016, Cleantech Navigate Northeast, NECEC's affiliate program
supporting select Cleantech Open graduates and more mature
startups, supported more than 50 companies through a pilot
concierge service designed to connect startups to experts, funders
and strategic partners. In 2017, Navigate will expand these services
to include connections to customers, talent, and other critical
resources.
27. Premier Sponsors
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MassCECNYSERDA
“Once again Cleantech Open Northeast has shown
how valuable its program is to helping the
cleantech economy expand in New York and
throughout the Northeast. NYSERDA congratulates
the winners of this year’s Cleantech Open Northeast
and looks forward to the innovative solutions they
are developing for the clean energy industry.”
- John B. Rhodes,
President and CEO, NYSERDA
“MassCEC is proud to work alongside Cleantech
Open Northeast and to help foster innovation
from cleantech companies statewide and
throughout the Northeast region. The innovative
spirit of the cleantech industry cultivates new
ideas, while creating lasting jobs and solving our
most pressing energy challenges.”
- Stephen Pike, CEO, Massachusetts Clean
Energy Center