The document provides information about applying to the 2012 Cleantech Open accelerator program. It outlines the application process and timeline, which includes applying by May 8th, being notified of semifinalist status by May 23rd, and participating in mentorship, training and showcase events from June to November if accepted as a semifinalist. Key application criteria include having received less than $1 million in private financing and $5 million total from all sources. The participation fee for semifinalists is $475 per person and includes access to the training program and events. The goal is to help cleantech startups accelerate through the program to the next level.

1. Join Us
Startup Success 101:
How to Make Darn Sure (or Near as Darn it)
that Your Application is Accepted
in the 2012 Cleantech Open

2. Our 60 Minute Agenda
• A Little About the Cleantech Open (5 minutes)
• Impact & History of the Accelerator & Competition (5 minutes)
• How the Accelerator & Competition Work (10 minutes)
• How to Apply (10 minutes)
• How to Make Darn Sure (or near as Darn It) that Your
Application Will Get Accepted (5 minutes)
• Have Your Questions Answered (15 minutes)

3. We Would Like to Thank Our Global Partner

4. National Education Partner

5. National Sponsor

6. Our Sponsors & Partners

7. The Cleantech Open Ecosystem
Our Network of Networks Our Team …
Venture
Capital
Government National
Labs
Cleantech Open Service
Foundations
Participants & Alumni Providers
Volunteers,
Mentors, Judges
Individual Corporations
Donors
Utilities

8. Our Mission
The mission of the Cleantech Open is to
find, fund and foster entrepreneurs
with big ideas that address today’s
most urgent energy, environmental and
economic challenges.

9. Cleantech Open Runs the World’s Largest
Cleantech Accelerator
Regional Business
2006 Founded 7 Competitions
501(c)(3) A Not-For-Profit 33 States
Volunteer
Annual Events in
1500+ Professionals 100+ 26 Cities
Nationwide

10. The World’s Largest Cleantech Accelerator
• National Academies, National Webinars, Regional
Training Training
• 861 participating mentors nationally: 475
Mentoring generalists and 386 specialists
• 18+ Business Clinics nationally
• National Investor Series: Pitch Panels
Access to Capital Networking Receptions, Investor Connect
• Regional event and showcases
Showcasing • National Conference & Global Forum
• Press exposure

12. Results and Impact
Since 2006
• 581 alumni companies
• 40% of alumni companies have
received external funding
• $660 million+ received to date,
from 225 reporting companies
• $154 million secured in the last
12 months

13. Our Alumni are Getting Funded - Over $660M
Company Cleantech Open Status Date Amount
Adura Technologies 2006 Energy Efficiency Winner 2010 $12M
Alphabet Energy 2009 Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Winner 2011 $12M
EarthClean 2010 North Central Finalist 2011 $1M
EcoFactor 2009 National Grand Prize Winner 2010 $5.9M
FloDesign 2009 National Grand Prize Winner 2010 $37.5M
Green Volts 2006 Renewable Energy Finalist 2010 $35M
Halotechnics 2006 Renewable Energy Finalist 2010 $5.2M
Mission Motors 2007 Transportation Finalist 2010 $4.7M
OnChip Power 2010 Northeast Winner 2011 $1.8M
Rivertop Renewables 2009 Rocky Mountain Winner 2011 $4.75M
SustainX Energy 2008 Northeast Finalist 2011 $20M
Xolve 2010 North Central Finalist 2011 $2M

14. What Cleantech Open Alumni Are Saying
“I’ve been to business “The Cleantech Open did
school. It takes a few years. an outstanding job of
This takes a concentrated providing us with
two months, it’s pretty informative workshops
intense, and it’s probably and extraordinary
more important. It really mentors…
prepares you to move a To us, this was more than a
company forward.” competition, it was an
invaluable learning
Dennis Murphy,
Ground Source Geothernal, experience.“
2008 Green Building Runner Up and 2008
Sustainability Award Winner Gabriel Ayala,
Enovative Group,
2008 Energy Efficiency Finalist

15. Accelerate Your Cleantech Startup
to the Next Level

16. The Pathway to Winning
~150 Regional Semifinalists
Participation in mentoring, events (over 50% of all applicants)
Up to 24 Regional Finalists
$20,000 in cash and services for each Regional Finalist (typically three finalists per region)
7 Regional Winners 7 Regional Sustainability Winners
Plus $10,000 in cash and services for each Regional Winner (one per region)
And $10,000 in cash and services for each Regional Sustainability Winner (one per region)
1 National Winner
Plus $250,000 in cash and services for one National Grand Prize Winner
Grand Prize includes up to $100,000 cash (seed investment)
All cash prizes may be cash grant and/or investment and are subject to change

17. Here’s How It Works
1 Apply Within Your Region 6 7 Become a Regional Finalist
and receive expert Present your idea to a and receive a “Startup in a Box”
feedback Regional Judging of cash and services
and mentoring Panel and receive
worth $20,000
expert feedback
2 Qualify as a Semifinalist 5 Participate in the
8 Exhibit at the Global Forum
to receive $45,000+ worth Regional Business and present your ideas
Clinics to sharpen your
of training, services, to investors and
business plan,
mentoring, network and presentation and business leaders
visibility, including … strategy
3 4 9 Win the Grand Prize
Participate in the Participate in the and receive up to $250,000*
National Conference, Academy, an acclaimed,
showcase your idea
worth of cash, services,
intensive, 3-day training
and meet future national press coverage
course led by experts
clients and investors and more

18. 1 Apply Within Your Region
PACIFIC
NORTHWEST NORTH
NORTH EAST
CENTRAL
WESTERN
ROCKY
MOUNTAIN
MID
ATLANTIC
SOUTH
CENTRAL

19. 1 Apply Within Your Category
Renewable Energy
Energy Efficiency
Green Building
Air, Water & Waste
Transportation
Smart Power

20. 1 Apply Early!
… and work with our team to
finalize your application.
For questions,
call our 800#: 888-989-6736
(989-OPEN)
or complete a ticket:
www.cleantechopen.com/questi
onbusinesscompetition

21. 2-5 Qualify as a Semifinalist. Events include:
Annual Launch (Feb/Mar) Breakfast Briefings (Jan-Apr) Networking Mixers (Jun - Nov)
National Conference (Jun) Regional Awards (Oct) Global Forum (Nov)

22. 2-5 … Mentoring, Training, Capital, Showcases
Regional and National Media Academies (Jun/Jul) Training Program (Jul-Sep)
Business Clinics (Jul-Aug) Investor Series Exhibit Booths (Conference, Forum)

23. 2 Qualify as a Semifinalist:
Mentor Matching
Access the specialist mentor database for specialized
help with your technology and business model …

24. 3 Exhibit at the National Conference
June 21st 2012
San Jose | California
1,000 + Attendees

25. 4 Participate in the National Academy
June 22-23rd 2012 | San Jose | CA
or
June 28-29th 2012 | Boston | MA
• Customer/market discovery, business model evaluation, validation and pivots
• Fundamentals of sourcing funding and pitching to investors
- prepare or polish your 10-15 minute investor pitch
• IP strategy
• Principals of financial modeling
• How to win the Cleantech Open competition
• Come out with the tools to complete your worksheets
- required for the final rounds

26. 5 The 10-week Summer Program
Date National Webinar Topics Special Topic Sessions
7/10 Business Model Canvas Cap Tables
7/17 Product / Technology Validation Term Sheets
Market & Getting To It
7/24 Size, Trends, Competitive Dynamics, Regional Webinar
Channels, etc.
Financials Analysis & Modeling
7/31 Regional Webinar
Strategy
8/7 Risk Analysis Regional Seminar * Regional Business Clinics
8/14 Execution & Team Needed to Execute Regional Seminar* Regional Business Clinics
8/21 Legal/Organization Structure Regional Seminar* Regional Business Clinics
8/28 Sustainability Sustainability
Mentor Assessment, Executive
9/4 Regional Webinar
Summary & Presentation
* and/or local networking event/mixer

27. 5 The 10 Tuesdays
9-3 9-3
9-2 9-2 Business Business
Business Business Clinics Clinics
Clinics Clinics (NE) (SA)
9-3 (NC) (SC)
9-2 9-2 Business
Business Business Clinics
Clinics Clinics (RM)
(CA) (NW)
2-4 2-4 3-5 3-5
Webinar or Webinar or Webinar or Webinar or
Regional Regional Regional Regional
Seminar * Seminar * Seminar * Seminar *
3-5 3-5 4-6 5-7 5-7 6-8 6-8
National National National National National National National
Webinar Webinar Webinar Webinar Webinar Webinar Webinar
5-7 5-7 6-8
Webinar or Webinar or Webinar or
Regional Regional Regional
Seminar * Seminar * Seminar *
* and/or local networking event/mixer

28. 6-7 Regional Judging & Awards
Become a Regional Finalist and
Receive a “Startup in a Box” of cash
and services worth $20,000
Receive Expert Feedback

29. 8 Participate in the Global Forum
November 8 & 9th 2012 | Silicon Valley | CA
Showcase Investor Connect Pitch to future
Customers & Investors
• Showcase your products and services in the Global Forum Expo
• Participate in Investor Connect
• Present to a panel of judges on stage to 1,000+ investors, and business leaders
who will decide on the national winner

30. 9 Win The National Grand Prize of $250K*
Category Winner
National Grand Prize Winner
All Semifinalists, Finalists and Winners are part of our
Alumni Network for life
*grant and/or investment and in-kind services

31. Getting Started
• Enter the 2012 Competition
www.cleantechopen.com/launchhere
• Create a Team
Note: you will need a minimum of 2 team members (including
the team leader) by May 8th to qualify
• Access your Online Application
Complete and submit by May 8th, 2012, 11:59pm, PDT
• View this helpful video http://vimeo.com/39806006

32. 2012 Application Criteria and Fees
Application Criteria*
• $1m max in external private financing, cumulative
• $5m max from grants or friends and family, cumulative
• 1 US resident, citizen or legal alien minimum per team
Application Fee
• $140 Per Team (professionals)
• $90 Per Team (students)
Participation Fee (as Semifinalist)
• $475 Per Person
• Heavily subsidized by sponsors and the generous contributions of many
volunteers across the country
*Must meet all eligibility criteria by May 8th

33. Participation Fee Includes
• Participation at the National and/or East Coast Academy
• Participation in all Training (Seminars and Webinars)
• Participation in Mentor, Investor, Sustainability Programs
• Some Meals at National Conference, National and/or East Coast
Academy, Global Forum*
• Exhibition space at National Conference, Global Forum*
• Tickets to all regional and most national events^
* Most, but not all of your meals will be catered at our events.
^ Excluding National Investor Panel and National VIP Events/Receptions.

34. Participation Fee Includes
• Materials like the new book from
Steve Blank & Bob Dorf “The Startup
Owner’s Manual”
• Exclusive Software Offer from the Autodesk
Clean Tech Partner Program - a full
commercial software license of the
Autodesk® Product Design Suite at no cost
(up to $10,000 value) to all semi-finalists
who attend either the East or West Coast
Academies.

35. Deadline for Application Submissions
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
11:59pm, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Semifinalists Will be Notified – May 23rd
• Semifinalist Participation Fee of $475 per team member
(Minimum team size of 2 people) – includes full program
(excludes travel and accommodation)
 National Conference June 21 – San Jose, CA
 National Academy (West Coast) June 22-24 – San San Jose, CA
AND/OR
National Academy (East Coast) June 28 & 29 – Boston, MA
(participation at one National Academy by at least one
member of your team, or a deputy, is mandatory)

36. Participation in Full Program
 Regional Business Clinics Tuesdays, July – September –
Recommended. Locations will vary by region.
Remote access may be available
 Final Worksheets deadline – Sept. 10th (Mandatory)
 Regional Mock Judging September 18th – Recommended.
Location will vary by region.
Remote access may be available in some regions
 Regional Judging and Awards October 9th -12th - In your
region. Date will vary by region (Mandatory)
 Global Forum, November 8th – 9th – Bay Area, CA
(Mandatory for Finalists; major opportunity for Semifinalists)

37. Accelerate Your Cleantech Startup
to the Next Level

38. Round 1 Judging Criteria
(Final version published April 20)
Judging Description
Criterion
Technology the technology or service is potentially disruptive and/or demonstrates the potential
for a sustainable competitive advantage; the product, service or business model has
protected or protectable IP; fits one of the Cleantech Open categories
Market the potential market size is large enough for sustained business growth, and aligned
with the expectations of possible funding sources (if any)
Team minimum 2 people; team members must credible, able to attract additional quality
team members; at least one team member US resident, citizen, or legal alien; no
member of the team is directly affiliated with the operation of the Cleantech Open
Basic Due the team owns their own IP or has a differentiated license to the IP – and there are
Diligence no competing IP claims; team members are well-reputed
Funding the company has received less than $1M from private third party investors and less
than $5M from all other sources of funding (maximum $6M in total)

39. Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
3. Technology & IP

40. Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
2. Market

41. Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
7. The Company (Team)

42. Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
10. Funding

43. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Create an account with the Cleantech Open by starting
here

44. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Fill out all required information to create your free
Cleantech Open account

45. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Start your application- make sure that you are logged
in so the system can recognize you

46. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
• Create your team name
• Make sure you read the release and check the
button

47. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
• Select the category you fill best suits your idea or
prototype. Note that if we feel you are in the wrong
category we will move you to the correct one.
• Check whether you are a professional team or student
team

48. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
1
2
3
4
5

49. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
1
Add a team member. You must have a
minimum of two (2) team members prior to
participating as a Semifinalist

50. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
1
Invite your team member.
NOTE: Send the invitation to the same email address
they have used when setting up their Cleantech
Open account

51. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Once your team member has received the
notification have them click on the link and it
will connect them to your team

52. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Once your team member has clicked to accept
the team invitation they will see this page.
They can then click on “Review/Finish Entry” to
collaborate with your team

53. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
As you complete the steps you will see checkmarks
against steps that have been completed- it is important
to note that you must click on the title of item to be
completed and not on the square box

54. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Please take your time completing the online
application- do not wait until the last day to get
started- you can save the page as many times as you
need to until May 8, 2012, 11:59PM, PDT.

55. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Please remember to complete all areas of your
application

56. Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Requesting a Mentor - Important: If requesting a
mentor make sure to select “Yes” in answer to the
question “Do you need…”. If you do not clock “yes” the
request will be completed.

57. Not An Applicant? Get Involved…
• Apply to compete in the world’s largest cleantech accelerator
• Volunteer to become an active part of driving our programs
• Mentor the startups that will create jobs & save the planet
• Partner to connect your network with our evolving ecosystem
• Sponsor to build your brand and gain privileged access
• Donate to help us help more cleantech entrepreneurs thrive
• Attend our 2012 National Conference June 21, 2012

58. © 2012 All Rights Reserved