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National Competition

Grand Prize Winner Announced!

Northwestern University Team Wins Energy Department's National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition

Save the dates!

Save the dates! The Energy Department (DOE) is excited about the upcoming National Competition on June 12-14 – the final stage of DOE's National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition (NCEBPC). The event is divided into portions that are invitation only and portions that are open to the public. To learn more about the event, please take the time to browse the following topics:

• Information for Finalists and Runner-up Teams
• Competition Details
• Public Participation (Registration and Voting)
• Invitation Only
• Confirmed Attendees

Information for Finalists and Runner-up Teams

As we approach the start of the National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition there have been a number of questions from our finalists and runner-up teams regarding final preparation needs and directions. Answers to the most common questions are answered in the Frequently Asked Questions document and maps and directions to the events can be accessed here. All further questions should be directed to commercialization@ee.doe.gov.

For the Competition's finalists and runner-up teams an agenda is available for planning purposes, but it is not final - so keep checking back for updates. This agenda contains invitation only portions of the National Competition. To learn more about the public portion of the National Competition, keep reading.

Competition Details

The NCEBPC is part of the Obama Administration's Startup America Initiative, the White House campaign to inspire and promote entrepreneurship. At the National Competition Event, the six finalists from the regional business plan competitions will pitch their business plans to a panel of expert judges — competing for the National Grand Prize of $100,000.

The regional finalists will also be competing for unique technical, analytical, business, and other in-kind support and services from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Mintz Levin & ML Strategies, the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA), Battelle Ventures, CleanLaunch, and the Cleantech Open. These resources and services include:

• Technical and commercialization support provided by NREL.
• Access and office space at NREL's Colorado Center for Renewable Energy Economic Development (CREED).
• Access to NREL's Venture Capital Advisory Network.
• Advisory services from Battelle Ventures tailored to specific technology and business needs.
• Technical and commercialization assistance provided by one of CEA's 18 incubators depending on individual business needs, and geography.
• Participation in the NREL Industry Growth Forum and the Cleantech Open.
• Profile of technology and business case on EERE's Energy Innovation Portal.
• Access to legal counsel services from Mintz Levin & ML Strategies staff.

In addition to the sponsors listed above, DOE is happy to recognize the following proud supporters of the National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition 2012 – Wells Fargo, Mintz Levin & ML Strategies, and Ernst & Young.

Public Participation

The business plan pitches on Wednesday, June 13th will be open to the public and we encourage you to come and support your favorite finalist team. This portion of the event will be at the U.S. Department of Commerce – 1401 Constitution Ave, N.W., Washington, DC 20230. To attend the event, please take the time to register for the event.

In addition to attending in person, we invite you to participate by voting for your favorite finalist team. Starting Thursday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) members of the public will be able to vote on which of the six business plans they think will have the greatest social and economic impact on our nation's energy economy. Voting will close on June 13 at 2:00 p.m. (EDT), following the business plan pitches. At the VIP Reception (an invitation only event) the public choice winning team will be recognized and receive an in-kind prize.

To place your vote, visit the NCEBPC voting site and take the time to review the finalists' summaries, watch their three-minute video pitches, and then 'like' the finalist(s) you think will have the greatest social and economic impact.

Invitation Only

There are portions of the event that will be invitation only and will be limited to the six regional finalists, runner-up teams, and invited federal and business audiences and speakers. The following portions of the event that are invitation only:

1. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 (all day)
2. Wednesday, June 13 (3:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m.) — White House award ceremony and VIP Reception.

Events

• National Clean Energy Business Plan Grand Prize Competition

  June 12-13, 2012 Washington, D.C.

• More Events 

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