Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Blog

Clean Tech Increasing its Share in the Global Economy

2012-02-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

Although the global economy continues to struggle, clean technology investments are on the rise. North America saw a 30 percent increase, while worldwide investment increased by 13 percent, according to a new report published by CleanTech Group LLC.

Sundrop Fuels Takes Off

A Colorado leader in bio-derived fuels was Sundrop Fuels. The Longmont-based company develops synthetic fuel production systems which use highly concentrated solar thermal energy to turn gasify biomass. Sundrop Fuels reported raising $175 million from various venture capital partners in 2011, which accounted for 5 percent of all North American clean tech capital in 2011.

Larger Industry Trends: Solar, Efficiency, Transportation and Bio

While solar energy and energy efficiency saw the largest investments in terms of deals and dollars, transportation and biofuels / biomaterials seem to be moving more out of a research stage and also reported profitable investments.

North American Investments Gaining Traction

North America led the way in investments for 2011 as Europe and Israel dropped 30 percent in their investments for the year. China ranked second after the U.S. for investments and ranked highest in IPOs. The highest IPO for the year was Chinese state-owned hydropower company, Sinohydro. It raised $2.12 billion on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Bright Future Ahead

Predictions based on historical information have 2012 as the most financially prosperous and beneficial year for clean tech. Despite the still weak global economy, a shift to investing in clean tech has become clear for those wanting a successful and profitable long-term investment.

CCIA Welcomes New Board Appointments

2012-01-27T12:23:00.000-08:00

(Left: Chas Eggert) (Right: Steve Hane)

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is happy to announce our 2012 board chair and vice chair appointments: Charles R. (Chas) Eggert as chairman, and Steve Hane as vice chairman.

Eggert and Hane, both CCIA founding board members, will fulfill traditional roles on the trade association board and bring unique cleantech and venture capital experience to the positions. For CCIA this will be a great opportunity to further take our organization into a leadership position for cleantech in the country.

Eggert is President and CEO of OPX Biotechnologies, a company that uses proprietary Leading EDGE™ technology to produce bio-derived chemicals and fuels to help industries better compete in the global economy with lower costs and higher returns. Prior to leading OPX Biotechnologies, Eggert was the president of Specialty Polymers Group, a $500 million revenue division of Akzo Nobel. He began his career with Monsanto Company where he progressed through a variety of leadership roles. Eggert also serves as a board director of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and is a founding director and past vice chairman of CCIA.

Hane will serve as the Vice Chair for CCIA’s board. Hane is currently president and CEO of Ampulse, a solar energy company that focuses on better efficiencies and performance for crystalline-silicon thin-film solar photovoltaic technology. Hane currently serves on the advisory board of the University of Colorado's Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, and is a founding board member of CCIA.

Both Eggert and Hane bring expansive executive and investment capital management experience to the cleantech industry.

“We’re excited to have such esteemed business executives assuming leadership of our board and bringing such a wealth of industry, fundraising and venture capital knowledge,” said Christine Shapard, Executive Director of CCIA. “The benefits will be great for CCIA as a whole and all our members.”

Can't Miss Events in January

2012-01-20T14:28:00.000-08:00

CCIA has a big week next week! Below is a list of our sponsored events next week. Stay informed on efficiency, financing your startup and meet with investors.

Energy Connections – Focus on Efficient Buildings

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7:30 - 9 a.m.

Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
1445 Market St., Ste 3200
Denver, CO 80202

Join us for the first Energy Connections Meeting of 2012. This session will focus on the challenges and opportunities of the green building market.

Guest speakers include:

Anne Hayes of Westfield
Tim Heaton of Coolerado
Steve Bachar of Silver Bullet Water Treatment
and others.

Network, gather with like-minded CEC and CCIA members and share issues, develop partnerships, and make new connections.

This is an invitation-only presentation for CEC and CCIA members.

Financing Your Cleantech Startup

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2:30 - 6:00pm

Colorado Center for Renewable Energy Economic Development (CREED)
14062 Denver West Parkway
Building 52, Suite 300
Golden, CO 80401

Get valuable information on how to finance your cleantech startup. Don’t just ask for money — ask for the right money and in the right way. Speaker Tim Reeser of Aravaipa Ventures will discuss the ins and outs of financing models, strategy and the challenges to cleantech startups. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insight to the business side of your cleantech startup.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE ALERT

Jan. 27 Deadline: CREED Investor Access Breakfast

Event Date: Feb. 16

CREED Headquarters
14062 Denver West Parkway
Building 52, Suite 300
Golden, CO 80401

Cost: CCIA Members $35
Non-Members: $50

It’s your chance to present your business to investors after a continental breakfast and presentations from our speakers. Applications to present are due by Jan. 27 and presenters will be notified by Feb. 10.

For information about these and all CCIA events, visit our events page.

Becoming Part of the Advanced Energy Economy: A Q&A with CCIA’s Executive Director Chris Shapard

2012-01-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

Recently, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association announced it was becoming a charter member of the Advanced Energy Economy. Described as “a chamber of commerce for clean energy businesses,” CCIA Executive Director Chris Shapard talks about what the AEE is all about:

Q: What is the Advanced Energy Economy?

A: AEE is focused on the creation and support of regional economic organization focused on advanced energy growth and innovation. The founding members believe that national energy strategy will be defined out of regional development – a bottoms up approach rather than a top-down push. The AEE is enabling a platform for states and regions to share best practices and build technology partnerships, much like we do in Colorado now, but on a national scale. It is our goal, through CCIA’s involvement with AEE, to elevate our regional cleantech successes to help create a national dialogue focused on economics, competitiveness and national security.

Q: Why do we need the AEE?

A: All energy discussions to this point either focus in favor of jobs or the environment. AEE transcends that discussion by focusing on the business and economic impact of all forms of clean technology. With global energy consumption projected to rise more than 50 percent by 2035, future prosperity depends on new ways to meet the world’s energy needs. Advanced energy includes any solution that moves us toward the goal of energy that is affordable, abundant, and secure. Rather than favoring specific technologies, advanced energy is inclusive in nature and to be judged by the benefits it provides in the field and in the marketplace.

The AEE will help us take industry best practices that we know work on a state and regional level to guide national policy creation. It’s a really timely effort for Colorado considering Governor Hickenlooper’s bottom’s up approach to economic development. In addition, AEE provides financial assistance to chapters along with communications, policy, research and data support. These additional resources will allow CCIA to expand its capacity in 2012, and helps to increase our efforts around commercialization support for the universities and roll out an executive education institute.

Q: How is the AEE funded?

A: It is funded by individuals, foundations and corporations. AEE has already reached funding in the eight figures and are on target to hit their funding goals over the next three years.

Q: How is the AEE working on the Federal level?

A: From our perspective, the AEE will give Colorado’s cleantech cluster a more substantial voice in Washington. The platform they are creating enables us to partner with other clusters to play a role in DC when it is appropriate. Furthermore, when AEE formed, they merged with the Clean Economy Network (CEN). CEN had a very active advocacy organization and we are fortunate to have the combined experience of the AEE and CEN teams to provide us with eyes and ears on the ground in DC.

Q: How is AEE working with other cleantech organizations?

A: AEE is working with other cleantech organizations in a variety of ways. Many organizations like ours – those that are already established, recognized clusters in their state or region – are becoming chapters of the AEE. These chapters are then the main conduit of contact between member companies and the national organization. In areas where there is not an established principal organization, AEE is actually helping to establish chapters. In yet other areas, where there may be multiple organizations, AEE is working with those groups to establish a single voice for the region. There are currently nine states within the AEE network, and by March of 2012 we expect the number of active chapters to have doubled.

Smart Grids Are a Feasible Solution But Major Education Initiative Needed

2012-01-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

A recent study has suggested that some American consumers may be warming to the idea smart grids to manage utility delivery. Smart grid initiatives mostly focus on an attempt to modernize the current utility grids. However, there are several misnomers and inaccuracies in the information that is currently widely available to the general public. The disparate and at time incorrect information has divided consumers into distinct groups with varying degrees of support for smart grid initiatives.

The study found that most people fit into one of five categories: Concerned Greens, Young Americans, Easy Street, DIY & Save, and Traditionalists. Each of the groups represented ideals of mostly socio-economic sects and factors. The research found, for example, that the Concerned Greens were vehemently protective of the environment and completely open to smart grids, while the Traditionalists fell on the opposite side of the spectrum and recognized no reason for energy reform.

Furthermore, the research yielded results exposing the major motivations behind those in a great economic divide. For the Easy Street consumers with higher incomes, they were less motivated to alter their lifestyles or habits. Interestingly, the DIY & Save group also show little motivation for change as their main goal was to provide for their families. In both groups, a lower importance on the environmental impact of their lifestyles was evident.

Finally, and possibly the most influential group, Young Americans, disclosed that they were interested in change and willing to adapt, but needed more education about the environmental payoff and economic benefits of a smart grid initiative before they could rally behind the idea.

Understandably, a significant factor in creating more support for smart grid initiatives and modernizations will include a push for education. Public awareness of the benefits, the realities of the modernization efforts and a frank discussion of the environmental and economic effects will need to drive future rhetoric and efforts.

Thank You to Colorado's Cleantech Community

2011-12-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

As we head further into the holiday season, we want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You!" to all of our members, partners and colleagues for your support throughout 2011. We, the CCIA team of staff and volunteers, greatly appreciate your support throughout the year. Because of your partnership, we've had a very successful year working on your behalf. Following are a few highlights.

Earlier in the year, with intense lobbying from the CCIA, the Colorado General Assembly passed a $20 million funding stream for the clean technology grant program to provide seed stage funding to Colorado cleantech companies and proof of concept funding for university research projects. Governor John Hickenlooper signed the bill at a Colorado Cleantech Research awards event on May 26.

CCIA’s relationship with NREL became more formalized with the opening of the NREL- and State of Colorado-sponsored Colorado Center for Renewable Energy Economic Development (CREED), a multi-tenant facility catalyzing the growth of Colorado’s cleantech industry. CCIA is one of the anchor tenants at the CREED facility and partnered with NREL during 2011 to offer industry programming including an Entrepreneurial Series and Finance Accelerator Series. These series will continue with the strong NREL-CCIA partnership that’s been created.

In early November, CCIA helped launch the national Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) network in Denver, along with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. CCIA is one of the founding chapters of the AEE, an organization dedicated to connecting clean technology companies and clusters around the country, and bringing attention to the energy technology solutions offered by these companies. In addition to the nationally covered launch, CCIA hosted an industry awards gala attended by 500 of the who’s who in Colorado’s cleantech community that was keynoted by Kevin Skillern, head of GE Energy’s Venture Capital unit.

It’s through your support of the CCIA that we have been able to accomplish all that we have this past year. CCIA is industry-led and industry-focused and we look forward to the continued growth of Colorado's cleantech cluster in 2012. We have an incredibly busy schedule ahead - classes, sector events, the annual dinner, the research awards - not to mention a busy legislative session and the addition of the AEE programs. Please keep an eye on our calendar of events - trust us, it will be a busy year! If you would like to get involved with the CCIA, please email us.

GGP Energy Builds Successful Commercial Energy Efficiency Technologies

2011-11-28T10:42:00.000-08:00

When words like scrappy come up in a conversation, the last thing that may come to mind is the cleantech industry. However, it’s an ideal word to describe Scott Charter, the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of GGP Energy.

To call Charter a self-made man would not only be putting it mildly, but it’d be a bit of an affront. Charter is much more than that term can hope to encompass. He landed in Denver to attend DU law school with little more than sheer drive and a van he resided out of in Denver’s Washington Park.

His background in IT led him to data centers where his keen observations kicked off his cleantech career. “We knew we were spending a lot of money at our commercial data centers,” said Charter of his company’s energy consumption. “We saw that clean tech was a wide-open frontier that we had some experience in because of our data center experience.”

Charter and his business partner, Michael Hollander, struck out to change the way commercial buildings use energy. They found a way to introduce to companies “unique technology to lower energy costs in a commercial building,” says Charter of GGP’s basic mission.

For one, Charter and Hollander have brought the H2OFlow technology to market. This remarkable technology eliminates the need for maintenance chemicals to be used in commercial cooling towers. Not only does the technology make for environmentally friendly water use, but it also significantly reduces the cost of operating and maintaining the cooling tower.

Ultimately, it’s been beneficial that Charter is a scrappy guy. When it comes to making it in the cleantech industry he offers the following advice: “Make sure you’ve got the stomach for it. And I mean that. It’s not always an easy path to ho. We went from a company that was very east to start up because we sold a commodity. Our new company [GGP] we now trying to educate people saying hey, consider doing something differently than you’ve done it since 1920.”

Convincing commercial building owners to open themselves up to the new technology has its challenges. “Its easy to follow the pack. A crowd mentality—you’ll never get fired for buying from a major company. Getting people to change from what they’re used to is difficult,” said Charter.

However Charter and Hollander have come up with creative approaches to entice new customers to try the H2Oflow system. “Installation is for free, we’ll remove it for free. We have to earn their business every month. We’re so confident that our engineer will bring a coffee cup and drink out of the cooling tower,” says Charter of their commitment to the technology.

Modernizing Mechanical Equipment: Sturman Industries

2011-10-21T13:01:00.000-07:00

For the last 21 years, Carol Sturman and her husband Eddie, have been revolutionizing the mechanical world. At it’s most simple, their company, Sturman Industries, has been fostering the change from analog to digital processes in all things mechanical.

For years mechanical equipment has fallen behind in efficiency. “We modernize mechanical equipment to make it more efficient— we bring it in to the digital age, said Sturman about her company’s mission.

Sturman’s career path poised her to be a force in the cleantech industry. As a schoolteacher she learned the importance of motivation, her time in real estate taught her precise and effective marketing and as a consultant she found a passion for helping companies save energy and in turn, money.

Her talent to motivate has been instrumental in getting large companies to look at cleantech as a viable and logical solution based in economic preservation. Incidentally, it’s also been her biggest uphill battle. “It’s very hard; it’s not hard to come up with good solutions, but it’s hard to get major companies in these areas to embrace new ideas. It takes a lot of money and a lot of time to get ideas to market,” Sturman said of cleantech startups.

The lure of cleantech was obvious for her. “When you look at benefits from analog to digital you see how it’s transformed our word – we’re bringing that same transformation to mechanical things,” said Sturman of the exciting work Sturman Industries does. “Much of our focus is around energy and engines, we now have a combustion system that can accommodate any liquid or gasous fuel and use it in an efficient way. Small, cheaper, better!”

For Sturman being part of CCIA has been beneficial. “It s always good. I have a funny saying you can have the what you know, but you need to have the who you know. Networking and visibility are so important. You never know where the breakthroughs are going to be in your business. For us, getting to know the right people is very important,” said Sturman.

Just like the Sturman Industries’ website says, they make products that make sense. “It’s time for mechanical systems to be modern and made in a platform that can be used for generations that is safe, clean and renewable,” said Sturman. Furthering that the need is for “good answers, more support and more people demanding better answers.”

For more information on Sturman Industries please visit their website at http://www.sturmanindustries.com/

Who is Your Favorite Colorado Cleantech Leader?

2011-09-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

Nominations for the Colorado Cleantech Awards are due tomorrow.

The awards will be presented during the Colorado Cleantech Industry Awards Celebration dinner on Nov. 7 at the Grand Hyatt Denver. This is the main event this year where Colorado's cleantech community come together to honor the creativity and innovation of Colorado's clean technology leaders.

Finalists and winners will be selected by the CCIA Awards Committee to receive recognition in the following categories:

High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year
Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year
Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year
Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year
National Cleantech Leader

If you know a company or an entrepreneur that you feel is leading the way for Colorado's cleantech industry, we encourage you to nominate them today. See you at the dinner!

Upcoming Event: Hot Topics in Cleantech Patents and Licensing

2011-09-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hot Topics in Cleantech Patents and Licensing

When: Sept. 29, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Where: Holland and Hart, 555 17^th Street, Suite 3200, Denver, CO 80202

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited

This Thursday, Holland and Hart and CCIA will be presenting Hot Topics in Cleantech Patents and Licensing, a special event on how small cleantech businesses can protect their intellectual property portfolios with patents and licenses. An often-overlooked area, several problems can surface when companies fail to protect their brands, R & D strategies, patents and even licensing agreements. Some of the consequences can include:

Loss of competitive strategy in the market
Infringements
An intangible true-market value when an opportunity to sell presents

Other topics will include: an overview of new cleantech patent initiatives, accelerating the patent process and benefits in the U.S. and internationally and the practical application of critical licensing fundamentals for your business.

Event presenters will include two partners at Holland and Hart, Tracy Gray, who specialized in a full spectrum of intellectual property and privacy matters, and Greg Osterloth, the firm’s patents practice chair. The expertise of Gray and Osterloth will be invaluable for any cleantech industry business owner as the two provide insight from their experiences.

You can register here for the event. Remember, space is limited so register today.

Cleantech Open Regional Semi-Finalists to Compete for Shot at Nationals Tuesday

2011-09-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Every year some of the most promising clean technology start-up companies compete in Cleantech Open. Cleantech Open 2011 is a business competition is designed to take ambitious start-ups to a level where they can pitch venture capitalists and get their business funded and functioning. The competition began in California in 2006 and expanded to the Colorado and Rocky Mountain region two years ago.

Tuesday, the semi-finalists from the Rocky Mountain Region will compete in a regional mock judging so they can develop a 10-minute pitch geared at venture capitalists. The Rocky Mountain Region Awards Ceremony will be in Denver on Oct. 6. Three regional winners for each category and one sustainability winner will be selected to advance to the National Cleantech Open in San Jose, Calif. in November.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association support and sponsors the Cleantech Open because of its track record of helping bring cleantech companies to market faster. CCIA and the CTO share the same vision of fostering education and business connectivity to all the necessary stakeholders throughout the region, expanding Colorado as a cleantech industry hub.

A rich blend of mentoring, business-class training, meetings with industry experts and a strong emphasis on building a successful business model make the competition unique. For participants, the opportunity to gain access to these resources can make all the difference in their business journey.

Knowing how multi-faceted the program is, it’s hard to pin down only one thing that competitors get from it. Richard Franklin, the director for the Rocky Mountain Region, knows how well developed the program is. “I don’t know that you could isolate one single piece. If I had to sum it up, it would be education, and business connectivity to all the necessary stakeholders,” says Franklin of the program’s greatest asset.

Often in any industry where economic success is critical, good ideas can’t make it off the ground. Sometimes it can be a lack of funding, a poor business model or even misguided management practices that prevent a company from evolving. A central goal for Cleantech Open is to foster growth from a dynamic cleantech idea to a successful, functioning business. “All of it together translates to a comprehensive process of education and business modeling that mitigates risks and hopefully accelerates their speed to market,” said Franklin.

Winners can receive prizes valued anywhere from $10,000 to $250,000 in funding and in-kind awards. However, the true prize for Cleantech Open participants is the experience itself. No monetary award can compare to the invaluable mentoring, development and evolution a young company gets from participating.

Looking to Export Colorado Cleantech Products? Check Out CO-EXist

2011-08-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

If you're looking to export Colorado cleantech products to Mexico or China, and you haven't heard about CO-EXist, you're missing out on a great program! The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) administers the "CO-EXist” program. CO-EXist stands for the Colorado Export of Innovative and Sustainable Technologies and has been in place since January of 2010 and will run through December of 2013. The purpose of CO-EXist is to promote Colorado’s cleantech products and services into the Chinese and Mexican markets and facilitate an increase in export sales.

There are a number of components to this program including:

bringing in buyer’s delegations from China and Mexico to introduce them to Colorado providers of goods and services that they are looking to purchase;
participating in key industry trade shows in both countries and taking a Colorado delegation with us to display their technologies and have one-on-one meetings;
a technical assistance fund which helps offset legal fees, contract or technical types of translations, and country specific labeling/packaging/shipping requirements among others, and;
a Client Development Program which enables qualified Colorado cleantech companies to meet face-to-face with potential Mexican or Chinese buyers.

So what has CO-EXist accomplished to date? "So far, Colorado has hosted 3 foreign buyer delegations and introduced them to more than 40 Colorado cleantech manufacturers and service providers. Companies from across the state have participated with us at the 2010 Green Expo in Mexico City and at the 2011 CIEPEC trade show in Beijing, China. Attending companies have generated at least 3 significant sales and we look forward to many more," noted Stephanie Garnica, Director, Trade & Investment for the Americas at OEDIT. "In addition, the CO-EXist program has provided funding to a number of qualified Colorado cleantech companies through the Client Development Program and Technical Assistance Fund."

The CO-EXist program is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and is a unique way to boost exports and promote Colorado as a cleantech leader to the key markets of China and Mexico. "We look forward to working with more Colorado cleantech companies and enabling them to sell into these exciting and opportunity-rich countries!" said Garnica.

Intrigued? Click CO-EXist Program Overview for more information.

Developing Renewable Energy Careers

2011-08-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

A Nobel Laureate and the Academic Director at the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado will lead a four-day intensive certification program in renewable energy in Denver.

CCIA is pleased to support the University of Colorado’s RETool Program for Developing Business and Careers in the New Energy Economy.

Now in its third year, RETool moves to Denver offering a Professional Executive Certificate Program offered by CU-Boulder’s Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Aimed at examining renewable energy technologies and policies, and identifying opportunities, the program offers incomparable industry insight.

World-class instructors including Paul Komor, the Educational Director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at CU-Boulder (RASEI), and Steve Lawrence, the Academic Director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder and a Fellow with RASEI, have been tapped to lead instruction.

Both instructors have extensive backgrounds in the renewable energy economy. Komor notably received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is author of the book Renewable Energy Policy (2004).

Lawrence’s research and instruction has included work on renewable energy commercialization, the financial and environmental impacts of smart grids, and hedging strategies for energy intensive businesses.

RETool is open to anyone. “What we're doing is appropriate for any level of business - whether you're planning to start a business, have a business, or are just looking for a better understanding of renewables,” Lawrence explained.

Over the four months, participants will gain a better understanding of the changes and developments in the renewable energy industry enabling them to address the following:

How are costs and pricing for renewable energy technologies changing?
Which renewable energy technologies have the greatest short-and long-term promise?
How do federal and state policies affect the growth of different technologies?
What are the key challenges of the growth and success of renewable energy and how can they be overcome?
How can I identify business, commercial and job opportunities with renewable energy?

Focusing on topical issues, the program provides a solid knowledge base for participants. “At the end of it, businesses walk away with a broad understanding of critical issues related to renewable energy focused on electric generation, smart grid, transportation, and energy efficiency,” Lawrence said.

Previously, the program has only been offered in Boulder, but locations in the Downtown Denver and Denver Tech Center can potentially yield greater networking opportunities for participants.

It is important to note that RETool doesn’t include any business planning or entrepreneurship training. However, CREED and CCIA already have programs that focus on entrepreneurship and business development, so RETool nicely complements those programs.

RETool participants can take all four of the courses or elect to attend single classes that focus on topics most relevant or desirable to their goals.

Event Details

Locations & Dates

Friday, September 9: Renewable Electric Power

Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center

7675 East Union Ave.

Denver, CO 80237

Friday, October 7: Understanding Smart Grids

Deloitte Services LP

555 17th Street, Suite 3600

Denver, CO 80202

Friday, November 4: Renewable Transportation Energy

Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center

7675 East Union Ave.

Denver, CO 80237

Friday, December 2: The Promise of Energy Efficiency

Deloitte Services LP

555 17th Street, Suite 3600

Denver, CO 80202

Price: Registration for the full program $1,800. Individual courses $500 each. Enter code CCIA at checkout to receive a 15% discount.

For more information on RETool or to register, please contact Jessica Baumgarten at jessica.baumgarten@colorado.edu or call 303-735-0541.

Reducing Battery Costs for Fleet Vehicles

2011-07-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Each month, we like to interview CCIA members to talk about what innovative technologies they are developing, how their business is progressing and what they get out of being a member of Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

Here we met with John Bryan, Chief Technology Officer for Fleet Energy Company.

What do you do?

Fleet Energy Company (FEC) is virtual power plant aggregator and project developer for electrification of medium and heavy duty fleet vehicles to be used in grid support of renewables integration and grid security. FEC is a spin off from Burt Fleet Services - a $2.4 Billion commercial fleet sales company.

We work in transportation-energy storage to convert everything from school buses to commercial delivery vehicles from diesel-fueled engines to plug-in electric motors. We make it affordable for businesses through leasing and then contracting the buses’ big power batteries to utilities and others that need a place to store power.

How long have you been in business?

Burt Automotive Network has been in business since 1939, but seeing enormous potential in the fleet services division, made the decision last year to focus on their commercial fleet division and sell off most of it’s car dealerships.

How did you get into the cleantech business?

I have worked in the energy industry since 2007. I was previously Xcel Energy’s Utility Innovations’ Program Manager responsible for their Vehicle-to-Grid Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (V2G PHEV) project. Also at Xcel, I was a subject matter expert for their $100M SmartGridCity™, and Program Manager for the utility’s 1 MW/7.2 MWh Wind to Battery Energy Storage project.

Previously, I worked as a manufacturing quality engineer from the automotive manufacturing industry and worked for a Tier 1 supplier to Ford, GM, Toyota, and others. So I have experience in both the automotive and energy services industries, so it was a natural fit for me to help launch Fleet Energy Company.

What's the biggest thing you've learned so far from the startup process?

I’m really a jack of all trades. Managing everything from sales and marketing to business operations has been challenging but fun. I’ve gotten a lot of advice from CREED and CCIA about how to refine the way I talk about my business and through the CleanLaunch Technology Incubator program, I get advice on other parts of my business that I’m not as experienced in. It’s nice to be so close to that expertise.

Has it been helpful to be a member of CCIA? How so?

The collaboration between CREED and Colorado Cleantech Industry Association has been enormously helpful to grow my business. I have a great group of business advisors both from NREL and the local community who are always available to me. As part of the CleanLaunch, I can tap the expertise and technologies coming out of NREL.

Finally, where are you going next with your business?

We are focused on growing our fleet partnership division with smart grid companies and other utility-scale companies that can provide our commercial customers with access to the grid. We have a lot of interest from the commercial fleet market because we offer clean-energy vehicle at a fraction of the cost of what they would pay if they bought the vehicle outright. We see the market potential for this business model to be in the billions of dollars and we haven’t seen a lot of competition out there.

Northern Colorado Job Growth

2011-07-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Recently, Executive Director Chris Shapard sat down with the Fort Collins Coloradoan to talk about Northern Colorado's booming cleantech industry.

The article points out that Northern Colorado's cleantech jobs are growing faster than the state and national average, according to a new report from the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings Institution.

"Northern Colorado is ahead of the game because of a collective mindset and everyone working toward the same objective," Shapard told the Coloradoan. You can read the full text of the article here: http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107200320

We're excited to see Northern Colorado get the recognition they deserve. With the support of Colorado State University, local businesses are pulling together to make clean energy jobs a reality.

Colorado Continues to Rank as Cleantech Leader

2011-07-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Two recent publications ranked Colorado in the top of cleantech business development as the state’s economy continues to gain momentum.

Cleantech is a growing part of Colorado’s state economy and has created more than 5,000 jobs since 2007. The cleantech industries in Colorado grew at more than twice the annualized rate than the Colorado economy as a whole between 1999 and 2009. The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association continues to work at growing cleantech industries in Colorado to create new jobs.

Forbes Magazine

This week Forbes magazine named two Colorado cities in the top 10 for The Best Places For Business, with Fort Collins in fourth place and Denver taking ninth place. The CCIA has been hard at work, fostering economic growth, especially for cleantech companies, and it is great to see this hard work is paying off.

Clean energy was one of the major industries the Forbes list highlighted for Fort Collins. The strong presence of Colorado State University is seen as aiding in these industries success by providing resources and research facilities.

Although clean energy was not a major industry for Denver, because of Denver’s central location, the energy industry is seen as another stable of Denver’s economy. Denver is seen as a natural distribution hub to the west, making it a great place set up shop.

Brooking Institute

A new report in Brookings Institute, Sizing the Clean Economy, named Colorado as fifteenth overall as a “green” job leader. The report also took into consideration organic farming and other non-technical related fields to assess the rankings. Oil and gas extraction was also considered in the report.

Once cleantech and education were only taken into consideration, Colorado cam out in sixth place, behind Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas and California. Obviously, educational opportunities weighed heavily on the results.

Denver’s largest segment of clean jobs existed in conservation, with 6,999 jobs in 2010. Cleantech companies are not only providing jobs for the economy but offer better pay than the standard U.S. wage.

We are proud to continue our work with our key partners the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Colorado-Boulder, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Governor’s Energy Office and all of you in order to continue our efforts to promote economic growth with cleantech industries.

2011-07-13T15:45:00.001-07:00

Thanks to our friends at Posit Partners for the following "5 in 5" interview with CCIA's Executive Director, Chris Shapard.

We find it fascinating to learn why people do what they do and think what they think. This month, Christine Shapard, Founding Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA), shares her insights with us.

Why do you do what you do? I totally believe in the potential of Colorado’s clean technology companies to be an economic development driver for the state of Colorado. Colorado’s numerous assets have aligned to grow the cleantech sectors in a big way, and the CCIA is helping to coordinate the ecosystem so that everyone is working toward the same end game.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping cleantech entrepreneurs get what they need to be successful. Whether it’s introductions to strategic partners, connections to experienced talent, securing state funding or just making sure our elected officials understand the importance of the industry to Colorado, I get energy (no pun intended) from their passion.

In your experience, what’s the one thing that most often gets in the way of great marketing? For the trade association world, the variety of audiences you must connect with.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career? Be nice because politics makes for strange bedfellows.

If you could wave your marketing wand and make any product or service in the world a smashing overnight success, what would it be? My husband’s homeowner’s concierge service that he’s getting off the ground this fall.

Former Colorado Governor to Speak to CCIA Members Tomorrow

2011-06-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will be the featured speaker tomorrow as part of the Colorado Center for Renewable Energy Economic Development (CREED) Pitch Practice Program. Ritter will provide an update on his new role as the Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University.

He spoke to The Denver Post recently gave a preview of what he’s been up to since creating the center just four months ago. Backed by private funds, the center is aimed at national energy policy and economic initiatives related to clean technologies.

Specifically, he outlined goals for:

Creating federal legislation for establishing clean energy policies
Drawing clean-energy and efficiency businesses to Colorado
Creating a Colorado-based venture capital firm to advance clean energy research

You can read the full text of today’s article here: http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_18350232

To hear more about Ritter’s plan for creating a nationwide “new energy economy,” be sure to attend the CREED/CCIA meeting tomorrow. Today is the last day to register.

Research Rockstars

2011-06-03T16:01:00.001-07:00

Last week, we gathered in Denver to celebrate cleantech's research rock stars in Colorado. What does it mean to be a cleantech research rock star and why should Colorado care?

Chris Shapard, our executive director, wrote about this in the latest issue of ColoradoBiz Magazine.

"Our research rockstars are instrumental in creating jobs in Colorado."

India is Ripe for Clean Energy Growth

2011-05-17T13:39:00.001-07:00

Photo: Matt Futch, Utilities Program Manager with the Governor’s Energy Office, discusses smart grid applications across the state with a panel of energy officials from Colorado and India.

On May 16, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association co-hosted an Indian delegation visiting Colorado to gather ideas and share their vision for the energy investment opportunities in India.

With a population of 1.2 billion and a growing middle class, the energy demands in India are skyrocketing. India is expected to overtake China as the world’s most populous nation by 2030. Unlike much of the energy development going on in China, India is looking to private sector engagement for development in order to meet their growing energy demands.

And their energy demands are fierce. While we talk about utility-grade demand in megawatt hours, they talk about their demand in quadrillion BTUs, or QUADs. India is expected to add 40-80 QUADs of energy in the next 20 years. To put it in laymen’s terms, the energy in 1 QUAD is contained in 8 billion gallons of gasoline, or a year’s supply of gas for 10 million automobiles. India’s energy supply is expected to increase 105 percent just in the next five years.

“We have 400 million households without access to any electricity,” said Shaski Shekhar, Joint Secretary in the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. “That is the biggest challenge. This means that off-grid applications of renewable energy are key. A number of studies have proven that renewable energy can take care of this demand in a more affordable and sustainable matter. Technology and its continuous operation are the keys.”

Opportunities for Clean Energy Technology Development from Colorado

One of the key components of India’s plan for energy development includes the development of smart grid software and hardware for India’s population centers.

“There’s still a lot of room for innovative ideas,” said Tom Binet, director of trade and investment, Asia-Pacific, Office of Economic Development and International Trade with the State of Colorado. “Colorado companies have a great deal more experience in smart grid than any other place in the world and we can offer lessons learned.”

What do you see as the marketplace for Colorado companies to develop new renewable and smart grid technologies?

Register Now for Celebrate Cleantech Research

2011-05-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

The strength of Colorado’s energy-focused research capabilities is widely cited as one of the state’s greatest cleantech assets. That’s why we’re so excited to announce our first Celebrate Cleantech Research event on May 26 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

This is THE cleantech research event of the year and will honor the leading-edge researchers who are behind-the-scenes of Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry. Dr. W.S. Sampath, co-founder of Abound Solar and Colorado State University Professor will be the keynote speaker.

While at CSU, Dr. Sampath, and a team of researchers determined cadmium telluride (CdTe) to be an ideal solar photovoltaic technology. With support from the National Science Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory they developed the technology. In 2007, the founders established AVA Solar to commercialize the technology. Re-named Abound Solar, the company received $400 million loan commitment for the Department of Energy and counts more than 300 employees in its ranks. Dr. Sampath’s story epitomizes the outstanding R&D and commercialization rolling out of Colorado’s internationally recognized research universities.

In addition to Dr. Sampath’s remarks, researchers from Colorado’s major research universities - the University of Colorado, CSU and the Colorado School of Mines - will be recognized for their outstanding efforts to bring their research to commercialization. Awards will be presented in 8 cleantech categories – wind, solar, bio-derived, advanced transportation, storage technology, energy efficiency, smart grid and water.

There will also be a panel session featuring technology transfer officers from the universities who will give an insider’s view into how the commercialization process works. These experts will provide a look into the trenches of how you move a technology from laboratory to commercialization.

We hope you can join us for an exciting event that will highlight why Colorado is among the top states in the nation for cleantech research and commercialization. Space is limited, so register now.

Celebrate Cleantech Research

An event awarding excellence in cleantech research and commercialization

May 26, 2011

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year, Ray Johnson/Infinite Power Solutions, via COBiz TV Planet-Profit Report Interview

2010-12-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

COBiz TV & Planet-Profit Report Editor Mike Cote interviews Ray Johnson, 2010 Colorado Cleantech Entreprenuer of the Year at the CCIA awards event in October:

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/infinite-power-solutions

Video Recaps: Colorado Lt. Gov-Elect Joe Garcia & CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard at Association's Annual Meeting

2010-12-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Annual Meeting was held November 30 at the new Xcel Energy Building in Denver. Colorado's Lt. Governor-Elect Joe Garcia and CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard provided formal remarks for members in attendance.

Colorado Lt Governor-Elect Joe Garcia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOKUkor182g

CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytUloS9goB8

Link to the CCIA YouTube Channel

Colorado Ranks #3 in Optimum Solar Deployment Index

2010-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

"Above-average costs of electricity, above-average carbon emissions due to production of electrical power, and a top five solar insolation ranking earn Colorado (No. 3) a top spot in the Optimum Solar Deployment Index (OSDI)."

Link to the index overview

"Cleaning up in clean-tech industries"

2010-11-22T13:44:00.000-08:00

"The federal stimulus package, with its emphasis on green jobs, is helping to infuse funds and support for the growth. But according to the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, an industry support group, the clean-tech boom is being powered by the state's mix of innovators, research and entrepreneurs.

The CCIA released a state cleantech action plan in mid-October to provide an industry overview and to identify areas for development and growth. The organization ratcheted up the fanfare by holding the first-ever Cleantech Awards ceremony, where Northern Colorado businesses, um, cleaned up."

Link to the NCBR article by Joshua Zaffos

More COBiz TV & Planet-Profit Report Interviews Recorded at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Awards: U.S. Senator Mark Udall, Tendril & Ice Energy

2010-11-22T13:17:00.001-08:00

COBiz TV & Planet-Profit Report Editor Mike Cote shares more reports from the Colorado Cleantech Industry Awards held last month:

U.S Sen. Mark Udall talks about Colorado’s green economy:

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/udall-on-cleantech

Ivo Steklac from Tendril, runner-up for the CCIA's High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year:

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/tendril

Frank Ramirez from Ice Energy, the CCIA's Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year:

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/ice-energy

Rocky Mountain Institute's CEO Michael Potts Interviews on the ColoradoBiz TV - Planet-Profit Report with Editor Mike Cote

2010-11-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

ColoradoBizTV/Planet-Profit Report Editor Mike Cote talks with Michael Potts, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association's "National Cleantech Leader" award winner. The interview occurred at the CCIA's Inaugural Awards Celebration last month.

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/rocky-mountain-institute1

Also check out these Planet-Profit Report interviews from the recent Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open:

Verdant Earth

InfiniRel Early Warning Systems

Energy Dynamics Lab/Utah State University

RMCO Mentor and Workshop Chair Jerry Healey

PCMI, Longmont-based solar battery company

Abound Solar's Tom Tiller Interviews on Planet-Profit Report - taped at the Oct 19th CCIA Awards Event in Denver

2010-11-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

Editor Mike Cote talks with Abound Solar at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Awards Celebration October 19th. Abound Solar won High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year at the event.

http://www.cobizmag.com/videos/view/sunny-days-for-solar

Colorado Cleantech Action Plan Featured: "10 ways Global Cleantech Clusters are accelerating the Cleantech Revolution"

2010-11-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association's recently released Cleantech Action Plan is featured along with major projects in Graz, Austria; CleanTECH SanDiego; Finnish Cleantech Cluster; The Finnish Environmental Cluster for China; The Global Cleantech Cluster Association; Swisscleantech; The CleanTech Center in Syracuse; Peterborough (UK) EnviroCluster; and the EcoClup association. The article, "10 ways Global Cleantech Clusters are accelerating the Cleantech Revolution," was compiled by Shawn Lesser.

"Shawn Lesser is the president and founder of Atlanta-based Sustainable World Capital, which is focused on fund-raising for private equity cleantech/sustainable funds, as well as private cleantech companies and M&A. He is also a co-founder of the GCCA Global Cleantech Cluster Association, and can be reached at shawn.lesser@sworldcap.com."

Link to Cleantech Insights

CCIA's Eggert & Shapard: Colorado Cleantech Action Plan Spells Out Required Tactics for the State's Cleantech Future

2010-10-29T02:48:00.001-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Action Plan, released 10/18/10 at a State Capitol news conference, finds Colorado's innovation in the wind, solar, smart grid and bio-derived sectors, combined with the state’s progressive policies, will be the leading driver of industry growth over the next five years. The analysis, commissioned by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, was conducted over a five-month period by an independent consulting firm, Navigant Consulting, and involved more than 100 industry stakeholders.

Charles Eggert, President & CEO of OPX Biotechnologies and Vice Chair of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, puts the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan into perspective at the news conference:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTgeco5Jt_Y

Link to an overview of all the presenters at the news conference - http://coloradocleantech.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-colorado-cleantech-action-plan.html

Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, reviews the release of the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan at the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration (http://coloradocleantech.blogspot.com/2010/10/video-recap-2010-colorado-cleantech.html) held 10/19/10 onsite at the Denver Marriott City Center during the NREL Industry Growth Forum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqS3sXU5VE

Link to the pdf of the plan's executive summary - http://www.coloradocleantech.com/documents/CCIAStatePlanExecutiveSummary_Web_10-12-2010.pdf

Review news coverage:

Denver Post

Colorado Public Radio

Colorado Energy News

CCIA Exec Director Chris Shapard & Colorado's 2010 Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year Ray Johnson Interview with w3w3's Larry Nelson

2010-10-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Quoting from w3w3.com:

"Larry met with Chris Shapard, Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Assoc. (CCIA) and asked her how CCIA got its start. Chris said, 'Two years ago a group of venture capitalists and a couple of attorneys realized that Colorado had a lot of strengths in cleantech. Cleantech is not just renewable energy, it's not just wind, power and biofuels, but it's also those technologies that use traditional energy more efficiently.'"

Link to the Chris Shapard interview - http://www.w3w3pc.com/CEC/Chris.Shapard_CCIA_10-25-20.mp3

"A day after the Colorado Cleantech Industry Assoc. Awards program Larry sat down with Chris Shapard, Executive Director of CCIA and Raymond Johnson, President and CEO of Infinite Power Solutions. Ray was the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Cleantech industry and is also a Colorado Companies to Watch Winner. After Chris introduced Ray, Larry asked Ray to tell us about Infinite Power Solutions."

Link to Ray Johnson's interview - http://www.w3w3pc.com/Entrepreneurs/Raymond.Johnson_CCIA_10-25-10.mp3

Link to the w3w3.com website - http://w3w3.com

From 10/25/10: "Colorado's Cleantech Future"

2010-10-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the posting:

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA), a statewide organization dedicated to promoting Colorado's cleantech industry, recently released Colorado's cleantech action plan highlighting wind, solar, smartgrid, and bio-derived sectors, along with continuing progressive policies as ways to continue driving growth in the cleantech industry in the coming years.

Colorado is currently one of the top states in cleantech companies, with more than 300 located within state boundaries. The CCIA also highlights NREL, the nation's largest national laboratory dedicated solely to renewable energy reseach and development, as another reason Colorado can remain an industry leader. Coupling research and innovation has attracted venture capital investments in Colorado that rank 3rd highest in the country."

Link to the posting about the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan

From 10/19/10: "Association names winners of Colorado Cleantech Awards"

2010-10-26T15:08:00.001-07:00

Quoting from the posting:

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association presented awards to eight recipients today at its inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards celebration in Denver.

And the winners are ……..

– Political Advocate of the Year: Gov. Bill Ritter.

– High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Abound Solar, of Loveland. Runner-up: Tendril, of Boulder

– Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year: Ice Energy, of Windsor.

– Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year: VanDyne SuperTurbo, of Fort Collins.

– Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year: Raymond R. Johnson, of Littleton.

– National Cleantech Leader: Rocky Mountain Institute, based in Snowmass.

– Governor’s Award for Excellence in Cleantech Leadership: Ron Bernal, NEA, Boulder.

Link to GazetteBiz

From 10/21/10: "Colorado Cleantech [Industry] Association Recognizes Abound Solar"

2010-10-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the posting:

"Abound was nominated for the Cleantech award by community members. Tuesday’s awards were the first ones presented by the new organization.

'It was the first annual,' Shaphard said. 'We want to do this every year.'

She said the selection committee was particularly impressed by Abound Solar’s fundraising ability. The company has received millions of dollars in federal and grant funding and will launch several new projects in the coming years, creating more than 500 jobs in Colorado and Indiana.

Abound specializes in large- and utility-scale commercial projects, manufacturing thin-film cadmium telluride solar modules, according to the company’s web site."

Link to solarfeeds.com

From 10/21/10: "3 area firms win Cleantech awards"

2010-10-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"Three Northern Colorado companies were honored Tuesday at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association's inaugural awards ceremony.

Winners were selected from among 20 finalists statewide."

Link to colordoan.com

From 10/19/10: "Colorado Cleantech Industry Presents Awards"

2010-10-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the article by Joanna Schroeder:

"Today the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) presented eight awards during its inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration.' The event was created to honor leaders who are working to advance cleantech developments. Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director said during the event, 'Winners were selected by our Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations. The event, showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado’s cleantech industry during the past year.'

Link to domesticfuel.com

From 10/19/10: "Ritter, Abound Solar, others honored by Colorado Cleantech Industry Association"

2010-10-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association presented its inaugural annual awards Tuesday to eight recipients.

The awards recognized groups and individuals seen as advancing environmentally friendly technology in the state.

CCIA named Gov. Bill Ritter 'Political Advocate of the Year.' In a statement, the trade group said Ritter 'has built a New Energy Economy in Colorado, creating thousands of jobs, diversifying the state's energy portfolio, and making Colorado an internationally recognized leader in the manufacturing, production and research of energy efficiency and renewable energy.'"

Link to bizjournals.com/denver

From 10/19/10: "Regional companies clean up at Cleantech Awards"

2010-10-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"DENVER - Northern Colorado companies captured three of the eight inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards presented Tuesday by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. The CCIA awards honor leadership in advancing cleantech...Winners were selected by CCIA's Awards Committee from 20 finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations...Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, delivered the keynote address at the luncheon event.

Link to ncrb.com

From 10/20/10: "Standing Room Only for CCIA Award Winners"

2010-10-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"Colorado State University was one of the many R&D mainstays that made out extremely well at the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration hosted by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on Tuesday. The luncheon saw a standing room only crowd recognize eight winning recipient selected by the CCIA Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations earlier this year."

Link to ColoradoEnergyNews.com

From 10/20/10: "Abound Solar Wins Award"

2010-10-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"Colorado Cleantech [Industry] Association awarded Abound Solar its High-impact Cleantech Company of the year award at a ceremony in Denver on Oct. 19.

Colorado Cleantech is a new organization, only in its second year, dedicated to promoting the clean technology industry in Colorado and establishing the state as a key player in the growing national green economy.

The organization chose Abound Solar, based in Loveland, Colo., for its top corporate prize because it has established itself on the national stage, said Christine Shapard, Cleantech’s executive director.

“We wanted to make sure that whatever company we chose was also recognized nationally,” Shapard said.

Link to CleanEnergyAuthority.com

Colorado Cleantech Industry Assn...Honors The Industry's 2010 Leadership Standouts

2010-10-26T13:54:00.000-07:00

Originally posted 10/20/10: "Denver, CO--The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) presented awards to eight recipients at its inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration,' honoring leadership in advancing cleantech.

The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director who says, 'Winners were selected by our Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations.'"

Link to WindToday.net

Video Recap: 2010 Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration

2010-10-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

"We want to extend our congratulations to this year's winners, plus extend sincere appreciation from the Colorado Cleantech Industry to these outstanding companies and individuals who have truly made a difference as they've forged their paths in the cleantech sector," CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard says. "Further, we want to convey our appreciation to Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, who served as the keynote speaker for our first awards event."

Winners Include:

Political Advocate of the Year: Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., introduced by Colorado's Senior U.S. Senator Mark Udall:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxpSGjGZyY

Governor Ritter's remarks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiThjzBNXXo

High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Abound Solar (Loveland, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRwlo50s32M

From corporate and manufacturing headquarters in Colorado, Abound Solar (formerly known as AVA Solar) is producing the next generation of thin-film cadmium telluride solar modules ideally suited for large- and utility-scale commercial installations. Founded in 2007 and built upon 15 years of development at CSU and with the support of NREL, Abound Solar has raised approximately $600M in equity investments from private institutions and in the form of federal loan guarantees from the US DOE. With that capital, the company has hired 350 employees and has plans to expand to over 1500 by 2014. The company already occupies 5 locations across Northern Colorado, and is tripling the size of its Longmont manufacturing facility. Visit: http://www.abound.com

Runner-Up High Impact Cleantech Company of the Year: Tendril (Boulder, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Ud4OCe56Y

Tendril is a leading energy management technology provider that offers energy management software, hardware and services for both consumers and utility companies. The company was recognized in September 2010 by the World Economic Forum as one of the world’s most innovative technology start-ups. Through the 20 Smart Grid pilot programs the company has secured in 2010 alone, Tendril will provide turnkey delivery of products and services to utilities and their customers in 14 states throughout the country. Tendril is venture backed by VantagePoint Venture Partners, Good Energies, RRE Ventures, Vista Ventures, GE and Appian Ventures. Visit: http://www.tendrilinc.com

Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year: Ice Energy (Windsor, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksz1ddyiNzI

Founded in 2003, Ice Energy’s smart grid platform integrates revolutionary, distributed energy storage technology with an advanced software infrastructure and intelligent two-way control to provide utilities with a powerful, cost-effective alternative to conventional peaking power plants for meeting peak demand. In January 2010, Ice Energy announced plans with the Southern CA Public Power Authority to undertake the nation’s first utility-scale, smart grid-enabled distributed energy storage project. SCPPA estimates that it will offset enough peak demand to power the equivalent of 10,000 homes, and reduce carbon emissions equal to removing 3,000 cars. Visit: http://www.ice-energy.com

Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year: VanDyne SuperTurbo (Fort Collins, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mthaobUxN5I

VanDyne SuperTurbo, Inc. is a technology company specializing in the design, development and production of SuperTurbochargers for the global automotive market and for heavy duty engine manufacturers. A SuperTurbocharger is a transmission driven turbocharger, which can function as a supercharger or a turbo compounder that recovers waste heat that is added to engine power. In August 2010, VanDyne SuperTurbo Inc. announced that it had signed a contract with Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) to develop more fuel-efficient Class 8 trucks using VanDyne SuperTurbochargers. The agreement is part of the Super Truck program, a cost-sharing initiative between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the private sector. Visit: http://www.vandynesuperturbo.com

Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year: Raymond R. Johnson (Littleton, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AYQEkGgCIQ

Raymond R. (Ray) Johnson was appointed President and CEO of Infinite Power Solutions in September of 2005. In just 5 years at IPS, Ray has grown the company from five full-time employees to a current workforce approaching 50 employees, and, has successfully raised over $60 million of equity investment from both Tier 1 VC firms from outside the state of Colorado and four different Fortune 100 corporations. Also under Ray’s leadership IPS has completed the build-out of the world’s first and only volume manufacturing facility for solid-state rechargeable batteries in Littleton, Colorado, started shipping product commercially in 2009 to a wide range of customers globally, and earlier this year, achieved ISO 9001 certification. Visit: http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com

National Cleantech Leader: Rocky Mountain Institute (Snowmass, CO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOZrcGmhLu8

RMI's style is non-adversarial and trans-ideological, emphasizing integrative design, advanced technologies, and mindful markets. RMI’s strategic focus, sharpened in 2009, weaves together much of their energy work of the past 27 years plus further innovations, and applies their discovery of how integrative design can achieve expanding, not diminishing, returns to investments in advanced energy efficiency. RMI calls this strategic focus “Reinventing Fire” - mapping and driving the profitable transition from oil and coal to efficiency and renewables. This transformational shift can bring an oil-free world, a stabilized climate, nuclear nonproliferation, less poverty, more stability, and durable prosperity. RMI works extensively with the private sector, as well as with civil society and government, to create abundance by design and to apply the framework of natural capitalism. Visit: http://www.rmi.org

Governor’s Award for Excellence in Cleantech Leadership: Ron Bernal, NEA (Boulder, CO) -- accepted on behalf of Mr. Bernal by Tim Connor, Partner, Sequel Venture Partners:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPIwwRG-Og

Ron joined NEA in 2010 as a Venture Partner focused on information technology and energy technology investments. He is a director of Boulder Wind Power, Data Robotics and ProStor. Previous board memberships include Data Domain (acquired by EMC), HelioVolt, LifeSize (acquired by Logitech), Indicative (acquired by Nimsoft) and Redseal. Prior to joining NEA, Ron was a Partner at Sequel Venture Partners where he focused on cleantech, enterprise infrastructure and enterprise software investments. While at Sequel, he led the firm's investment in HelioVolt and Buzzwire. A strong advocate of alternative energy technologies, Ron is a founding member and chairman of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association and serves on the board of the Rocky Mountain Cleantech Open. Visit: http://www.nea.com/Team/Default.aspx?id=27

The awards were emceed by Bart Taylor, publisher of ColoradoBiz Magazine and the Planet-Profit Report -- media partners of the CCIA. Link at http://www.planetprofitreport.com

Further CCIA Executive Director, recapped the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan for Awards Celebration attendees:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqqS3sXU5VE

Link to the CCIA YouTube Channel

Link to the PR Web Newswire

Link to the Pitch Engine social media release

Daily Camera: 'Boulder represented in Cleantech Awards winners'

2010-10-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the article:

"A local businessperson, an organization with local ties and a Boulder-based business were among the winners of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association’s first-ever Cleantech Awards."

Link to dailycamera.com

ColoradoBiz TV - Planet-Profit Report Talks to CCIA Award Winner Colo Gov Bill Ritter

2010-10-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

Added on: 10.19.2010
Planet-Profit Report

Editor Mike Cote talks with Gov. Bill Ritter about the state’s sustainable future at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association awards.

Link to the ColoradoBiz - Planet-Profit Report site

CEN: 'A Way Forward for Colorado Jobs and Prosperity — Cleantech Action Plan Unveiled'

2010-10-19T22:47:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the CEN article by Jonas Wright:

"As clean technology proves itself as a commercially-viable enterprise competition to lure startups and green-based manufacturing has intensified. To keep Colorado’s name near the top of the list, the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) released their cleantech action plan during a press conference..."

Link to Colorado Energy News, including video from the COCleantech YouTube Channel

CPR: 'Colorado Cleantech Future'

2010-10-19T22:39:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the site:

"Wind, solar, biofuels and "smart grid" companies are the major players in Colorado's cleantech industry, which is looking for ways to bring new business to the state. A just-released industry action plan has ideas for attracting new research and development operations, and supplying the wind and solar manufactuers who are already here. The plan calls for easier permitting, new attention to green-energy distribution, and training the engineers and business executives who will drive the industry's future. Colorado Public Radio's Mike Lamp talks with Chris Shapard, Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association."

Link to listen

'Clean energy growth pushed: Industry group says funding needed to keep Colorado at forefront of new technologies'

2010-10-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the article by Steve Raabe in this morning's Denver Post:

"Colorado must invest hundreds of millions of dollars in coming years to maintain its status as a national leader in clean energy, a new report suggests.

The study from the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association says Colorado has capitalized on its natural energy and intellectual resources but needs to push the growth of startup and relocating renewable-energy companies in the face of competition from other states.

'The question is not do we have the resources but how do we cement and accelerate to capitalize on the resources we have,' said Sandy Butterfield, chief executive of Boulder Wind Power, a startup wind-turbine firm.

Link to the denverpost.com

New Colorado Cleantech Action Plan Identifies Leading Drivers of Industry Growth in the State

2010-10-18T22:11:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Action Plan, released today at a State Capitol news conference, finds Colorado's innovation in the wind, solar, smart grid and bio-derived sectors, combined with the state’s progressive policies, will be the leading driver of industry growth over the next five years. The analysis, commissioned by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA), was conducted over a five-month period by an independent consulting firm, Navigant Consulting, and involved more than 100 industry stakeholders. Link to Greentech Media. Link to video of the news conference at the following links:

Christine Shapard - Executive Director, CCIA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bgrCwds7mA

Don Elliman - Colorado Chief Operating Officer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1pQzJDtvpc

Sandy Butterfield - CEO, Boulder Wind Power - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_iE2be4Ffg

Charles Eggert - CEO, OPX Biotechnologies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTgeco5Jt_Y

Andy Wickless - Associate Director, Navigant Consulting - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=738MsnP9wb8

Q&A Session - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwhIDdVbSO0

Link to the pdf of the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan Executive Summary: http://ow.ly/2VBSU

CCIA Keynoter Interviews with Woody Vincent on Business For Breakfast Today

2010-10-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association will hold its first "Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration" tomorrow, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center. Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, is the keynote speaker for the event, showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado's cleantech industry during the past year.

Link to this morning's interview on Business For Breakfast with Woody Vincent

Link to the PR Web newswire releasing the awards finalists

Northern Colorado Business Report: 'VanDyne SuperTurbo cleantech finalist'

2010-10-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the news item:

"Fort Collins-based VanDyne SuperTurbo Inc. has been named a finalist for the Emerging CleanTech Company of the Year by the Colorado CleanTech Industry Association. Winners will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, at a luncheon celebration at the Denver Marriott City Center. 'We are extremely proud to be nominated for this award by the CleanTech community here in Colorado,' said Ed VanDyne, founder and CEO of VanDyne SuperTurbo, in a prepared statement."

Link to the Northern Colorado Business Report

Boulder County Business Report: 'Area cleantech firms recognized'

2010-10-14T08:31:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the article:

"Boulder is well-represented in the award nominations because it is known for its high-tech companies and its 'green' companies, said Chris Shapard, executive director of the industry group [the Colorado Cleantech Industry Assocation].

'I think this reflects Boulder's infrastructure, really, the innovation infrastructure with the proximity to CU, the group of investors in Boulder and the entrepreneurs that make Boulder their home,' Shapard said."

Link to the Boulder County Business Report

Cleantech Awards: "Northern Colorado businesses among Cleantech finalists"

2010-10-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

"Several northern Colorado businesses are among the finalists in the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration being organized by the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

Winners will be announced Oct. 19 at the Denver Marriott City Center."

Link to greeleytribune.com

Kimbal Musk blogs on Colorado's soldout Cleantech Awards Event: "our secret sauce is Ira Ehrenpreis, keynote speaker"

2010-10-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

OneRiot's Kimbal Musk is a founding board member of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. Read from his blog about Colorado Cleantech and the CCIA's upcoming awards event:

"At the celebration event where we announce the winners, we've invited a close friend and business associate of mine, Ira Ehrenpreis of Palo Alto's Technology Partners, to speak. He's called a Venture Capital Visionary and a Cleantech Expert in his bio, and I can attest that it's all true and much, much more. As a board member of Tesla Motors, I've worked closely with him, experiencing his broad knowledge and keen business and cleantech acumen. It's no mystery to me why our event was sold out two weeks in advance -- the 'secret sauce' was being fortunate enough to have Ira Ehrenpreis as our keynote speaker."

Link to the Kimbal Musk blogpost on Huffington Post

Finalists Selected for Inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration'

2010-10-07T13:13:00.001-07:00

"DENVER, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has released names of the finalists for its inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration' recognition event, honoring leadership in advancing cleantech. 'Winners will be announced at our now officially sold-out event on Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center,' Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director announces. 'We're extremely pleased to share the twenty finalists who emerged from our statewide call for nominations.'

Link to Forbes.com

CCIA announces CO Cleantech Awards finalists.

2010-10-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has released names of the finalists for its inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration' recognition event, honoring leadership in advancing cleantech. 'Winners will be announced Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center, at our now officially sold-out event,' Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the CCIA announces, 'We're extremely pleased to share the twenty finalists who emerged from our recent statewide call for nominations.'"

Link to the Colorado Cleantech Hub
"Great ideas out of thin air."

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Announces Finalists for Inaugural 'Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration'

2010-10-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has released names of the finalists for its inaugural "Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration" recognition event, honoring leadership in advancing cleantech. "Winners will be announced Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center, at our now officially sold-out event," Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the CCIA announces, "We're extremely pleased to share the twenty finalists who emerged from our recent statewide call for nominations."

CCIA - Leadership in Advancing Cleantech Awards - Finalists Include:

* High-Impact Cleantech Company of the Year
Abound Solar (Loveland, CO) - http://www.abound.com
Advanced Energy Industries, Solaron Business (Fort Collins, CO) - http://www.advanced-energy.com
CoorsTek (Golden, CO) - http://www.coorstek.com
Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (Littleton, CO) - http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com
Tendril (Boulder, CO) - http://www.tendrilinc.com

* Breakout Cleantech Company of the Year
Ice Energy (Windsor, CO) - http://www.ice-energy.com
OPX Biotechnologies, Inc. (Boulder, CO) - http://www.opxbiotechnologies.com
ZeaChem, Inc. (Lakewood, CO) - http://www.zeachem.com

* Emerging Cleantech Company of the Year
Green Garage (Boulder, CO) - http://www.greengarage.com
RavenBrick LLC (Denver, CO) - http://www.ravenbrick.com
VanDyne Super Turbo (Fort Collins, CO) - http://www.vandynesuperturbo.com

* Colorado Cleantech Entrepreneur of the Year
Raymond R. Johnson, Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (Littleton, CO) - http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com
Doug Schatz, Advanced Energy Industries (Fort Collins, CO) -
http://www.advanced-energy.com/en/Officers_Board.html
Adrian Tuck, Tendril (Boulder, CO) -
http://www.tendrilinc.com/about/management-team

* National Cleantech Leadership
Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory - http://www.coloradocollaboratory.org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO) - http://www.nrel.gov
Rocky Mountain Institute (Snowmass, CO) - http://www.rmi.org

* Governor's Award for Excellence in Cleantech Leadership
Ron Bernal, NEA (Boulder, CO) - http://www.nea.com/Team/Default.aspx?id=27
Richard Franklin, Clean Tech Open (Denver, CO) - http://www.linkedin.com/in/dickfranklin
Paul Nelson, Saoradh Energy (Boulder CO) - http://www.saoradh.com

Further, according to Shapard, "We have simply been overwhelmed by the response for advance reservations to the event. We thank the Colorado Cleantech Industry and business community at large for welcoming our new cleantech awards event with such gusto."

Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert is the keynote speaker for the event.

Link to the PR Newswire Release

Link to the Pitch Engine social media release

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Executive Director Christine Shapard Appointed Council Chair of New Green Jobs Colorado Advisory Council

2010-09-16T03:56:00.000-07:00

Christine Shapard, Founding Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has been appointed Chair of the Green Jobs Colorado Advisory Council (GJCAC) by Donald J. Mares, Executive Director Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The announcement is made jointly by Mares and Shapard.

"Colorado's New Energy Economy has set a national precedent in research, innovation and clean-energy job creation. Through legislation and policy, Colorado has been able to create thousands of new jobs across the state," Shapard says. "The Advisory Council will work to build a workforce for Colorado’s New Energy Economy through administering the Green Jobs Colorado Training program and coordinating statewide green job efforts."

Further, Shapard explains, "While we've been able to continue to attract new clean technology companies, we must ensure our workforce development pipeline is training Coloradoans for these jobs. By providing incentives for certified training providers through our new training program, we will make sure Coloradoans can obtain the skills, both specific and transferable, needed to secure jobs in the wind, solar, energy efficiency and other renewable energy industries."

Link to the NewsRelease Wire Posting

Cleantech VC Visionary Ira Ehrenpreis Keynotes Colo Cleantech Awards Oct 19, Denver Marriott City Center

2010-09-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) will hold its first "Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration" Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the CCIA who says, "We're extremely pleased to welcome Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, as our keynote speaker for the inaugural event. In concert with Mr. Ehrenpreis’ presentation, we'll also be showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado's cleantech industry this past year, based on job creation, capital raised and other demonstrated criteria."

Widely regarded as one of the most experienced cleantech investors, Mr. Ehrenpreis will deliver a keynote address covering "The State of the Cleantech Industry." As one of the pioneers in the cleantech sector, he'll share how the sector has evolved over the past decade and review the drivers behind cleantech’s emergence as the fastest growing area of the venture asset class. Mr. Ehrenpreis will also review the challenges the industry faces and those issues notwithstanding, why he believes cleantech will continue to be a good bet in the years and decades to come.

Further, according to Shapard, "The CCIA luncheon is the one event where Colorado's cleantech community will come together to honor the creativity and dedication to our new energy economy put forth by entrepreneurs, educators, corporate innovators, volunteers and policymakers." Awards will be presented in multiple categories. Individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves, companies, colleagues, clients or vendors -- those who have made a major difference in Colorado's cleantech community. Nominations are open until Friday, September 17, 5 p.m. For more information, visit: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ccia&formId=84863

Link to the PR Web newswire

Link to the PR Newswire

Link to the Pitch Engine Social Media Release

"Nominations Deadline for the Colorado Cleantech Leadership Awards is September 17th"

2010-09-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is hosting the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration, October 19 at the Denver Marriott City Center. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry. Awards will be presented in multiple categories. CCIA encourages companies to self-nominate or to nominate colleagues or vendors that have made a significant difference in Colorado’s cleantech community.

Link to the nomination form can be found HERE.

Important dates to keep in mind: Nominations will close at 5:00pm on September 17; Finalists will be notified the week of September 27; Award winners will be notified the week of October 4."

Link to Colorado Energy News

September ColoradoBiz: Colorado's "Road map to a cleantech future" & More

2010-09-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

"Colorado’s New Energy Economy needs a plan, and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is stepping in to help. The CCIA, together with Navigant Consulting and a 25-person steering committee, is developing the Cleantech Roadmap for the state of Colorado.

Christine Shapard, executive director of CCIA, says the road map will be an action plan, not just a report. 'A report sits on a shelf,' she says. 'This will be a living document. It will have specific actions for the state legislature, partnerships that need to be formed, grants that need to be pursued, and timelines and responsible parties.'"

Link to the Colorado Cleantech Roadmap article

Plus there's more on the Colorado Cleantech topic:

"Cleantech trends - It's happening now, and it's happening here

Venture visionary has deep roots in cleantech - Ira Ehrenpreis of Technology Partners will serve as keynote speaker at awards celebration

Powering up the future - Utilities balance new energy development while continuing to focus on reliability

NREL Growth Forum: gathering connects companies with investors

The race for global green - U.S. risks losing its position as the leader in cleantech

The Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration 2010 is October 19 11-1 at the Denver Marriott City Center. Link for registration details (note: awards nominations close Friday, Sept 17, 5 p.m.)

"Colorado is poised to become a world leader in the cleantech industry" - By CCIA Founding Executive Director Christine Shapard

2010-09-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

From the ColoradoBiz Planet-Profit Report Guest Voice Column - now online and in the September ColoradoBiz magazine:

"Consider these impressive stats – Colorado is No. 3 in the U.S. for cleantech venture capital financing; we’re No. 4 in the country for percentage of jobs in the cleantech sector, and the state is home to more than 300 companies producing cleantech products. According to Pew Charitable Trusts, Colorado’s cleantech industry is growing faster than the state’s other industry sectors.

Pretty impressive stats for a less-populated state like Colorado, aren’t they? We think so, and that’s why we started the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). We aim to create a business climate that not only helps the state maintain its globally recognized clean technology leadership position, but also enables us to jump ahead and lead the world."

Link to the ColoradoBiz Planet-Profit Report column

Deadline Sept 17: Nominations for the 1st Annual Colorado Cleantech Leadership Awards

2010-09-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is pleased to announce the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration, October 19 at the Denver Marriott City Center. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry.

Awards will be presented in multiple categories. We encourage companies to self-nominate or to nominate colleagues or vendors that have made a significant difference in Colorado's cleantech community.

Link to the online nomination form

Important dates to keep in mind:

Nominations will close at 5:00pm on September 17

Finalists will be notified the week of September 27

Award winners will be notified the week of October 4

New Study: The Mountain West Can Lead the Way on Energy Innovation

2010-09-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

We want to call your attention to a report released yesterday by Brookings Mountain West.

Quoting from the report's conclusion: "The Intermountain West region is poised to help reinvent America’s fossil-fuel dependent energy system and so construct the “next economy” in the Mountain region and nationally.

The nation should move proactively and aggressively to build the proposed Intermountain West network of high-powered energy innovation commercialization centers.

Through such an intervention, the federal government could catalyze a dynamic new partnership of Mountain West businesses, research universities, federal laboratories, entrepreneurs, and state and local government to transform the nation’s carbon-dependent economy. Along the way, the nation could experiment with a dynamic new approach to leveraging for the nation’s benefit a powerful regional innovation complex while helping to empower the Intermountain West to reach its potential for prominence in a 'next economy' that will be opportunity-rich as well as export-oriented, lower-carbon, and innovation fueled."

Link to the study

CU Professors Interview on Business For Breakfast Radio Show About the ReTool Renewable Energy 4-Part Certificate Program, starting Aug 27

2010-08-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

Reminder: the first of four monthly sessions begin Friday, August 27th: "RETool: Developing Business Careers in the New Energy Economy."

"The rapid growth of renewable energy is a bright spot in a troubled economy. Clean energy companies are expanding, especially in Colorado, and federal stimulus funds are flooding the industry. Now is the time to identify attractive opportunities in this rapidly evolving industry.

Get ahead of the curve - take an intensive, four-day certificate program offered by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder that provides an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies and policies.

All courses will be held at the Leeds School of Business on the campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Each course will be led by CU faculty with expertise in clean technology development, and will include a panel of industry experts. Schedule and topics:

Friday, Aug. 27 Renewable Power
Friday, Oct. 1 Understanding Smart Grids
Friday, Nov. 5 Renewable Transportation Energy
Friday, Dec. 3 Energy Efficiency

Participants may take all four courses to earn a RETool Renewable Energy Certificate, or may take courses individually."

Link to registration information

Link to the Business For Breakfast radio interview, recorded Aug 20th

Coming in October: Colorado's First Cleantech Awards Celebration

2010-08-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is pleased to announce the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry.

Mr. Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner with Technology Partners in Palo Alto, CA, will keynote the luncheon event. Ira has been with Technology Partners since 1996 and was investing in cleantech before it was considered as an industry. The majority of the firm's investments are in early stage companies and 50% of those are in cleantech. Ira leads the firm's Cleantech investment practice, investing in Energy Technology, Water Technology, and Advanced Materials opportunities and is an investor in Colorado's Abound Soar, as well as in Tesla Motors.

Link for more information

Get acquainted with Ira Ehrenpreis on YouTube:

CCIA Board Member Kimbal Musk "Tells All" on Fearless QA WebTV show

2010-08-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

"Alex @bogusky welcomes special guest, @kimbal musk to the FearLess Cottage. Alex's dad, @billbogusky joins a conversation that meanders from Tesla to One Riot, Paypal to the culinary arts and even space travel."

Ecotech Institute to Host Green Jobs Open House With Panel of Industry Experts, Including CCIA Exec Dir Chris Shapard

2010-08-10T19:52:00.000-07:00

"Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainable design, will host an open house on Tuesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. The open house will feature an impressive panel of guest speakers to discuss the booming green industry and how to obtain and prepare for careers in the cleantech sector.

Potential and current Ecotech Institute students will gather to listen to the discussion and participate in a Q&A session. Ecotech's first class of students boasts an almost perfect attendance rate, proving their dedication to preparing for future green careers. The open house will not only feature the guest speakers, but also allow potential students to meet faculty, staff and current students.

The Ecotech Institute panel of expert speakers will include:

Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

Dr. Abbas Ghassemi, Director of the Institute for Energy and Environment (IE&E) and professor of Chemical Engineering at New Mexico State University

Glenn Wilson, Academic Dean at Ecotech Institute

Alison Wise, Director of Career Services at Ecotech Institute (moderator)"

Link to the Marketwire newswire

Video Recap: "Clean Over Green," Sponsored by Deloitte LLP

2010-08-06T13:11:00.001-07:00

Dr. Joseph A. Stanislaw, Independent Senior Advisor, Energy & Sustainability, Deloitte LLP presented "Clean Over Green" to the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association July 29, 2010, at the Denver Chamber. Link for more information at: www.deloitte.com/us/newenergyccia or http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Insights/centers/centers-center-for-energy-solutions/article/48240bd7fce45210VgnVCM100000ba42f00aRCRD.htm.

Part One (first of four parts, followed by six questions)

Clean Over Green Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alKz74dzvh4

Clean Over Green Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7w_GWHwK2k

Clean Over Green Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqt8P6xnbPk

Clean Over Green Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i4LyOO5-eU

Clean Over Green Question 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NajDqKlTFcg

Clean Over Green Question 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti5JKOBVIsw

Clean Over Green Question 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-H1xKaQzFA

Clean Over Green Question 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NYAjc7DfYc

Clean Over Green Question 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmCPW2Zlqkg

Clean Over Green Question 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggH3cR5syPg

CBS4: Why "Colorado Is Uniquely Positioned To Benefit From the BP Oil Spill"

2010-08-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association member and Energy Expert Mike Miller, UC Denver - Global Energy Management Professor and Advisory Council Vice Chair, interviews on CBS4 about the BP Oil Spill and Colo's New Energy Economy. The report is by Paul Day, CBS4's Environmental Specialist.

Videocast link: http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=73636@kcnc.dayport.com

Clean Over Green: A Podcast from Planet-Profit Report Recapping 7/29 CCIA Event

2010-07-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Mike Cote, editor of Planet-Profit Report and ColoradoBiz, talks with Dr. Joseph Stanislaw, independent senior adviser on energy and sustainability for Deloitte. Dr. Stanislaw (pictured at left) was recently in Denver to present a talk to the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on 'Clean over Green,' and the growing global approach to energy, sustainability and a low-carbon future.

Link to the podcast interview

Link to the pdf "Clean Over Green Striking a New Energy Balance as We Build a Bridge to a Low-Carbon Future"

We hope to offer video of Dr. Stanislaw's presentation at the CCIA You Tube Channel a future date. Stay tuned for more information.

CCIA's vision to take the group regional

2010-07-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

ColoradoBiz/Planet-Profit Report Editor Mike Cote talks with Chris Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, about plans to take the group regional.

Link to the ColoradoBiz/Planet-Profit Report site

New Ernst & Young Data - Cleantech Matters: The Rising Influence of Corporations on Cleantech Growth

2010-07-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

SPEAKERS at July 8 CCIA member education event: Leaders from Ernst & Young’s Assurance Services groups in Denver and Houston led the discussion.

Lisa Shepard – Partner, Assurance Services

Milan Hall – Senior Manager, Assurance Services

BACKGROUND: Will corporations lead cleantech out of the "valley of death?" - Despite the enthusiastic support for cleantech from governments and large companies all over the world, the journey for a cleantech product from prototype to commercial scale remains so difficult that many in the industry have taken to calling it "the valley of death."

How will the industry escape this predicament? Part of the answer may be new financing and corporate partnership models that satisfy the funding requirements of a capital intensive industry as an acceptable level of risk for investors.

Corporations are being driven to implement a resource-efficiency agenda based on cleantech to improve operations and reduce costs, respond to climate change, achieve sustainability goals, generate revenue, decrease dependency on fossil fuels and comply with current and anticipated regulations. With such compelling motivation, will corporations lead the way in providing financing to bring clean technologies to commercial deployment?

Introduction and CCIA overview by Exec Director Christine Shapard at the CCIA YouTube Channel:

Ernst & Young's Lisa Shepard and Milan Hall - First 10 minutes of presentation at the CCIA YouTube Channel:

Links to helpful E&Y support materials:

Ernst & Young: Cleantech Matters - The rising influence of corporations on cleantech growth - Slides: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/CleantechMattersSlides.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Cleantech Matters - Influence of Corporations on Cleantech Growth: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/cleantechmatterspublication.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Cleantech Matters - The Future of Energy: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/FutureofEnergy.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Action Amid Uncertainty: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/actionamiduncertainty.pdf

Colorado's Cleantech Roadmap: a ColoradoBiz TV - Planet Profit Report video interview

2010-07-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

ColoradoBiz Editor Mike Cote talks to Chris Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, about the recent Department of Commerce grant and Colorado's cleantech roadmap.

EnergyBoom's Robert Gluck Features Charles Eggert, CCIA Vice Chair

2010-06-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

"In this first part of my three part interview with OPX Biotechnology’s President and CEO Charles Eggert, he discusses his background, this history and mission of OPX and the company’s efficiency directed genome engineering (EDGE) technology.

ROBERT GLUCK: Please tell our readers a little bit about your background.

CHARLES EGGERT: I joined OPX Biotechnology Inc. (OPXBIO) as President and CEO in September 2008. Before that, I logged more than 30 years of experience in the global specialty-chemical industry, serving as president of the Specialty Polymers Group (a $500 million revenue division of Akzo Nobel) and holding top management responsibilities at ICI.

I began my career at Monsanto Company, including an assignment as vice president of Monsanto Venture Capital. I’ve remained very involved in the industry throughout my career, as a past board director of the American Chemistry Council and currently as board director of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

I’m also a founding director and vice chairman of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. I earned an MBA in marketing and finance from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.S. in biochemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. I also have a B.S. in chemical engineering from Washington University."

Link to EnergyBoom to read more

"Colorado harvests a green economy: About $1.1 billion in federal and venture-capital funds help boost eco-jobs from 1995 to 2007, a study says."

2010-06-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association's Executive Director Chris Shapard was quoted in this morning's feature in the Denver Post on "Colorado harvests a green economy."

"Colorado ranked 15th among states in capturing the energy-related federal stimulus funds in the past 18 months, the report said.

'Fifteenth, we ought to be able to do better than that,' said Christine Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association...

Shapard said the report points out that 'we've had great leadership on these issues for the last four years. We have to pray that continues.'

Gov. Bill Ritter, who made promoting a 'New Energy Economy' a hallmark of his administration, is not running for re-election.

'This report very clearly and accurately documents the successes of Colorado's New Energy Economy,' Ritter said in a statement. 'Colorado is now a national leader for clean-energy policies, jobs and innovation.'"

Link to the Denver Post article by Energy Reporter Mark Jaffe

Business For Breakfast: Interview with Christine Shapard

2010-06-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard was interviewed on the Colorado Radio Network's Business For Breakfast show this morning. She was interviewed by Woody Vincent about the Association's recent $80,000 grant from the US EDA for Colorado's Cleantech Roadmap.

Link to listen to the interview:

Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director on the US EDA grant for the Colorado Cleantech Roadmap

Link to learn more about the Cleantech Roadmap announcement

CCIA Partners with the ColoradoBiz Magazine Planet-Profit Report as it Expands to Western U.S.

2010-06-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is now a sponsor of the ColoradoBiz Planet-Profit Report (PPR), which is expanding into the Western U.S.

Energy and economic sustainability will be the focus of the new regional PPR media platform from the publishers of ColoradoBiz magazine. Published as a quarterly section in the magazine since early 2007, PPR will now be circulated weekly to stakeholders in the discussion about energy and economic sustainability from Texas north to the Dakotas and all points west.

Bart Taylor, publisher of ColoradoBiz and Planet-Profit Report, says, “We think PPR is unique in two important ways: Economic development is the lens through which we’ll report on sustainability. And second, while coverage of ‘green’ business and sustainability is most often national in scope, or hyper-local, we think a regional discussion is needed to frame the competition for money, resources and talent in renewables and clean-tech, as well as the dialogue about sustainable growth – water being a great example. It’s also in California, Arizona and Colorado’s interest for the West to build a brand as a global center for sustainable energy development."

The CCIA is excited to now be part of the PPR partnership team.

Link to the Planet-Profit Report

Subscribe to the Planet-Profit Report e-mail updates

"Grant to Colorado Cleantech Industry Association to Spur New Green Jobs"

2010-06-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the US EDA's news release:

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced an $80,000 grant to the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association of Denver, Colo., to create an action plan to guide the development and growth of the cleantech industry in Colorado.

“Expanding the clean technology sector enhances our nation’s economic competiveness in the global economy, creates higher-skill, living-wage jobs and lessens our dependence on foreign oil,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. “This EDA grant will develop an action plan that will accelerate and drive the development of Colorado’s cleantech industry.”

“The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association was founded on the premise that clean technologies that enable the use of renewable resources and that allow traditional energy sources be used more efficiently can be an important driver of Colorado’s future economy. Funding of the Colorado Cleantech Action Plan will give Colorado and Colorado’s cleantech companies the data, analysis and action steps necessary to compete in the large and growing international clean technology marketplace,” said Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

Link to the U.S. Economic Development Administration website

"Cleantech Roadmap" gets grant.

2010-06-03T08:12:00.001-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association received an $80,000 grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to develop a Cleantech Roadmap for Colorado. With receipt of the grant, the association now has the $200,000 required for the state clean-tech analysis and road map. "

Link to The Denver Post Business Brief

CCIA Gets $80K in Funding to Develop Cleantech Roadmap for Colorado

2010-06-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

"DENVER - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has received an $80,000 US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Grant to develop a Cleantech Roadmap for the State of Colorado. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says with receipt of the US EDA grant, the CCIA now has full funding of the $200,000 required for the state cleantech analysis and comprehensive roadmap.

Other funding entities of the plan include the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. A state plan will provide stakeholders with a detailed view into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Colorado’s internationally recognized cleantech cluster, while offering a 3-5 year actionable road map to continue expansion of the cleantech cluster."

Link to Colorado Energy News

Clean-tech association receives grant

2010-06-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

"DENVER - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association has received an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to develop a clean-tech road map for Colorado.

Christine Shapard, the association's executive director, said the grant rounds out the $200,000 needed for the state clean-tech analysis and comprehensive road map.

Other funding entities of the plan include the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Governor's Energy Office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. "

Link to the Boulder County Business Report Local News Briefs

$80,000 grant completes funding for Colorado cleantech roadmap

2010-06-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

"An $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce completes the funding for a $200,000 analysis of Colorado’s cleantech industry that will provide an “an actionable, defensible and sustainable roadmap for cleantech growth” in the state, says the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA).

'We can now formally engage a nationally recognized consulting firm to begin the tasks of identifying Colorado’s cleantech core competencies, as well as our gaps that will help us create a roadmap to maintain Colorado’s position at the forefront of cleantech development in the world,' said Christine Shapard, CCIA’s executive director."

Link to Brown on Green

CCIA awarded $80,000 to develop Cleantech Roadmap

2010-06-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has received an $80,000 US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Grant to develop a Cleantech Roadmap for the State of Colorado. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says with receipt of the US EDA grant, the CCIA now has full funding of the $200,000 required for the state cleantech analysis and comprehensive roadmap.

Other funding entities of the plan include the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Governor's Energy Office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. A state plan will provide stakeholders with a detailed view into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Colorado's internationally recognized cleantech cluster, while offering a 3-5 year actionable road map to continue expansion of the cleantech cluster."

Link to the Metro Denver News Center

Clean-tech association receives grant

2010-06-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

"DENVER - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association received an $80,000 grant to develop a Cleantech Roadmap for the state.

The grant, from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, provides the final funds for the $200,000 project, according to CCIA Executive Director Christine Shapard.

Other entities providing financial support for the roadmap include the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Governor's Energy Office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., the University of Colorado and Colorado State University."

Link to the Northern Colorado Business Report

CCIA Awarded $80,000 U.S. Department of Commerce Grant to Develop Colorado's Cleantech Roadmap

2010-06-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Denver, CO - June 1, 2010 - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has received an $80,000 US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Grant to develop a Cleantech Roadmap for the State of Colorado. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says with receipt of the US EDA grant, the CCIA now has full funding of the $200,000 required for the state cleantech analysis and comprehensive roadmap.

Other funding entities of the plan include the Colorado Economic Development Commission, the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the University of Colorado and Colorado State University. A state plan will provide stakeholders with a detailed view into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to Colorado’s internationally recognized cleantech cluster, while offering a 3-5 year actionable road map to continue expansion of the cleantech cluster.

"Over the past few years we have worked hard to establish Colorado as a national and international leader in clean energy," Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., said regarding the State’s participation in the project. "While we are well on our way, this new grant and roadmap will allow us to highlight our competitive advantages and continue to build an innovative and cutting-edge future for Colorado's New Energy Economy."

Link to the NewsReleaseWire

Ritter’s New Executive Orders Encourage Venture Capital Investment

2010-06-01T08:14:00.000-07:00

"Gov.Ritter signed a pair of executive orders late last week designed to encourage venture capital investment in the state’s clean energy, bioscience, aerospace and information communication technology startups. He made the EO’s official at a Colorado BioScience Association gathering at the state Capitol.

'Over the past four years, Colorado has made huge strides in building a pro-business environment, especially in the areas of clean tech and bioscience,' Gov. Ritter said. 'Our economic development strategy is focused on the industries that are leading in innovation – industries like new energy, bioscience, aerospace and technology. For Colorado to build on these strengths and continue our success, we have to find new and creative ways to increase access to capital for our businesses. That’s what these executive orders are all about.'"

Link to Colorado Energy News

Governor Bill Ritter, Jr, signs executive orders assisting Colorado's cleantech industry

2010-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

Industry supporters gathered May 27 at the Colorado State Capitol to witness the signing of two Executive Orders by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., benefitting the state's cleantech industry. Christine Shapard, CCIA's Founding Executive Director, spoke on behalf of the association.

Link to the video of Chris Shapard's remarks.

Link to the video of Governor Ritter's remarks.

Metro Denver Economic Development Corp Launches Colorado as North America's Cleantech Hub, Using New Media to Highlight Region's New Energy Economy

2010-05-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

"Today, during the American Wind Energy Association's WindPower 2010 Conference & Exhibition in Dallas, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will lead a first-of-its kind #CleantechHub Twitter chat at 3 p.m. CDT discussing states' roles in growing new energy economies.

In addition to Governor Ritter's chat, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) will host two subsequent chats during the conference on Tuesday, May 25, by Renewable Energy World's Graham Jesmer and on Wednesday, May 26, by Clean Edge's Clint Wilder. Both hour-long chats will start at 3 p.m. CDT.

The #CleantechHub discussions and a new website — www.CleantechHub.org — are a part of the Metro Denver EDC's launch of its Colorado Cleantech campaign targeting national and international companies in wind, solar, biofuels, smart grid, and natural gas."

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association and Colorado Energy Coalition are in partnership with the Metro Denver EDC in debuting the new website: www.CleantechHub.org

Link to today's PR Newswire announcement

Cleantech association starts online career center

2010-05-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association in Denver has started a Web-based Career Center, connecting job seekers with prospective employers in the cleantech industry.

The job board, powered by JobTarget, serves association members as well as nonmembers."

Link to the Boulder County Business Report

CCIA launches online career center for companies, job seekers

2010-05-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association has launched a new online career center for people looking for jobs in the cleantech industry and cleantech companies looking for workers.

People looking for jobs can post their resumes, including anonymous resumes, and sign up for alerts notifying them of jobs matching their criteria. Cleantech companies can post jobs to the site.

The new career center is available to members and non-members of CCIA."

Link to the posting at BrownonGreen.net

CCIA Launches New Online "Colorado Cleantech Career Center" for Job Seekers & Employers/Recruiters

2010-05-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association now offers a new web-based Career Center, connecting job seekers with prospective employers in the cleantech industry. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says the center is accessible at the "CAREERS" section of the CCIA website and serves both CCIA members and non-members alike. The new job board is powered by JobTarget.

"Our association promotes cleantech industry knowledge, networking, and excellence,” Shapard explains. “Launching an online career center for professionals in this field—and in our geographic region—is a natural extension of that mission.”

Link to the Colorado Cleantech Career Center

Link to the related news release

BrownOnGreen: "CCIA showcases Singapore as gateway to Asia"

2010-04-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

"A suggestion for cleantech companies looking for a springboard to markets in Asia -- or a place to test your products. Check out Singapore.

That’s the advice from the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, which hosted a meeting last week for its members and leaders of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)."

Link to BrownOnGreen.net

We enjoyed reading this guest column from Faegre & Benson's Jim Spaanstra and Rex O’Neal

2010-04-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

"A Colorado clean technology revolution...or new energy economy fantasy?

The Obama administration held the nation’s first Forum on Climate Change on Aug 27, 2009, in Fort Collins. At that forum, Gov. Bill Ritter and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar engaged in somewhat tongue-and-cheek banter with California-based regulators.

The discourse centered on clean technology innovation and entrepreneurship, and whether it will propel the Front Range of Colorado to become the Rocky Mountain region’s version of Silicon Valley.

From where we sit, this could actually happen..."

Link to the ColoradoBiz Guest Column

CCIA's Harley-LeBon and Shapard Discuss Recent Colorado Visibility Meetings in Washington D.C.

2010-03-22T15:57:00.000-07:00

Washington DC Update – During the week of March 1, CCIA Executive Director Chris Shapard and Cherylyn Harley-LeBon, CCIA’s Director of Federal Government Relations, traveled to DC to meet with Colorado's U.S. Senators, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, GridWise Alliance, BIO and others on both sides of the political spectrum. Two days of meetings were organized with the purpose of increasing the visibility of Colorado's cleantech community. Issues discussed during the meetings included the federal funding environment for commercialization, differences between cleantech and greentech and the importance of including a discussion of oil and gas technologies in partnership with cleantech. The CCIA was roundly viewed as a credible industry voice in all of the meetings and we anticipate that there will be significant opportunity for future input and collaboration with many of the organizations.

(L-R) Cherylyn Harley-LeBon, CCIA’s Director of Federal Government Relations, and CCIA Executive Director Chris Shapard

Colorado Senate votes to increase renewable energy requirement

2010-03-09T11:49:00.000-08:00

"Xcel Energy will be required to use renewable energy for 30 percent of the power it delivers to customers by 2020 under a bill given almost-final legislative approval Friday by the Colorado Senate.

That’s up from the 20 percent requirement under current law and will put Colorado second only to California in the percentage of energy that utilities are required to provide from renewable sources. California requires that 33 percent of utility-delivered power come from renewable energy -- including several large hydroelectric power plants in that state.

The Senate approved the measure (H.B. 1001) on a 21-13 party line vote. Democrats supported it, Republicans opposed it.

The bill has to go back to the House for approval of minor changes made in the Senate and then will go to Gov. Bill Ritter for his signature. The bill is one of the governor’s top priorities for the 2010 legislative session.

Environment Colorado and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association both supported the bill, and Xcel also said it supported the bill as long as it didn’t raise the two percent cap on the impact that providing power from renewable energy could have on customers’ bills."

Link to the BrownonGreen.net article

Special Report: Green Technology - Can Green Technology Propel Economic Development?

2010-03-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

Chad Vander Veen's article in the March 2010 Governing magazine includes quotes from Matt Cheroutes, CCIA Founding Board Member:

"That's the case in Colorado, where Gov. Bill Ritter ordered his Energy Office, Economic Development Office and state CIO to collaborate on ways to nurture green technology start-ups and create demand among consumers for emerging — and typically more expensive — green products.

Colorado is testing a new Discovery Grant Program designed to help early stage companies, which are often simply groups of researchers attempting to take an idea out of the lab and into the commercial market.

'At that point, there's not a lot of available seed capital. So to give them some small grants at the very beginning really shows great support from the state,' says Matt Cheroutes, director of communications and external affairs for the Colorado Governor's Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

Cheroutes, a founding member of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, says strong executive support for green technology in Colorado will lead to job growth and economic prosperity. But that won't happen, he says, unless companies can deliver their products to a public that can afford them — a tall order in green tech markets that are often too immature to deliver at affordable economies of scale.

Cheroutes says the state works closely with renewable energy firms to develop incentives for consumers. Take solar power, for example, where the cost of installing solar panels typically doesn't pencil out for the average homeowner.

'We've had a lot of people in our state say they want solar on their homes,' Cheroutes says. 'But they simply can't afford the initial investment to do it. We've seen estimates anywhere from $8,000 for a very small home to $15,000 for a medium-sized home. These days, not a lot of people have the ability to pay that.'

The state worked with two Colorado solar firms — SolarCity and SunRun — to develop a financing model that makes solar installations more affordable. Instead of paying the full installation fee upfront, consumers instead put up a down payment that is a fraction of the total cost. Over the next three or four years, the energy savings the consumer realizes goes back to the solar company to pay the remaining balance. After the company is paid in full, the consumer's energy bill decreases significantly. . .

'The culture has changed in Colorado,' says Cheroutes. 'It's something that everyone in Colorado has sort of agreed to and bought in to. And whether that's out of a desire to protect our mountains or to keep our kids from being sent halfway around the world to fight, or if it's to keep kids who are home employed and working, it's a cultural mind change, and sometimes those are the hardest things to deal with in the beginning. So if you have the will of the people, of industry and of political leaders, you can make anything happen.'"

Link to the article

Video Recap from Feb 25 Event - Advanced Water Management: Using Cleantech to Manage Scarce Resources

2010-03-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

The CCIA assembled national and regional water experts at the University of Denver to discuss advanced water management and using cleantech to manage scarce resources.

Welcome from Rahmat Shoureshi, Dean and Professor:

CCIA Overview by Christine Shapard, Founding Executive Director:

Cameron J. Brooks, Ph.D.
Director of Solutions & Business Development
IBM Big Green Innovations (first of five parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):

Robin Newmark
Principal Program Manager, Planning and Program Development
National Renewable Energy Laboratory:

Roger Austin
National Vice President and Managing Consulting Director
MWH:

Forbes Guthrie
Director
Stewart Environmental Consultants, Inc. (first of two parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):

Jeffrey Popiel
President & CEO
Geotech Environmental Equipment (first of two parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):

Link to the CCIA YouTube Channel

CCIA & IBM Focus on Smart Water Feb 25 at DU Craig Hall Community Room

2010-02-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is offering “Advanced Water Management: Using Cleantech to Manage Scarce Resources,” February 25, with keynote presentation by Cameron Brooks on IBM’s Smarter Planet Initiatives. IBM is already staking claims in the smart grid industry to better manage electricity. Now it's doing the same for water, with a broad offering that will include developing sensor and intelligence networks for water utilities, smart water meters and a new technology for water filtration.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Cameron Brooks, Director of Solutions & Business Development, IBM Big Green Innovations. He will introduce IBM’s Smarter Planet initiatives and discuss the technologies IBM is employing to leverage their smart grid expertise for the water “grid.” Dr. Brooks will also provide IBM’s perspective into where the water technology market is headed relative to IP sharing, investment, partnership and global opportunities.

Following the IBM keynote presentation, the CCIA will open a panel discussion with experts from:

* Stewart Environmental

* MWH Global

* National Renewable Energy Laboratory
* Geotech Environmental Equipment

Event details: February 25, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., at Craig Hall Community Room, University of Denver. Registration is required by contacting Shelly Curtiss at 303-623-2690 or Shelly@coloradocleantech.com – CCIA members attend free of charge; $35 for non-members. Note space is limited and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/AdvWaterMgmt

Link to the Advanced Water Management news release

Beetle Juice: Turning Dead Trees Into Heat and Electricity

2010-02-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

Jerry Brown of BrownonGreen.net attended the CCIA's Feb 11th Biofuels session and posted this report on presenter Phil Kastelic, CEO of Colorado Forest and Energy:

"If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And if it hands you five million acres of dead trees ravaged by pine beetles? Make beetle juice.

That’s what CEO Phil Kastelic of Colorado Forest and Energy, calls the electricity and thermal energy he says could be made from the huge number of trees in Colorado killed by pine beetles.

As Kastelic sees it, the solution couldn’t be simpler."

Link to the BrownonGreen.net article

Altira's Cory Steffek: "Colorado's going to be very well positioned in the future."

2010-02-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

Cory Steffek shared secrets to securing funding for early stage startups at the CCIA BioFuels dual-panel program Feb 11 at the Denver Chamber. Here's a recap of participants for this outstanding CCIA event.

Panel 1, moderated by Stacey Simms, Governor's Energy Office: Rich Schoonover, Solix Biofuels; Christopher Ryan, Ph.D., Gevo; Justin Bzdek, Symbios Technologies; Phil Kastelie, Colorado Forest and Energy.

Panel 2, moderated by Wayne Greenberg, Architectural Energy and Heartland Renewable Energy: Chas Eggert, OPX Biotechnologies; Cory Steffek, Altira Group; Mike Miller, formerly Blue Sun Biodiesel; John Ashworth, Ph.D., National Renewable Energy Laboratory.