The Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition is back as a featured activity for GEW 2012 and looking for the best clean technology ideas from around the world. National winners will compete in during the Global Forum in Silicon Valley where they will pitch their idea to a crowd of more than 1,000 investors, entrepreneurs, corporations and media representatives. 

Selected by a judging panel of cleantech experts, investors and entrepreneurs, the winning team receives a prize package including marketing support, legal services, office space and other services to help launch and grow their startup. 

Competition categories include: 

• Air, Water & Waste
• Energy Efficiency
• Green Building
• Renewable Energy
• Smart Power
• Transportation

For the first time, a sub-competition specifically aimed at young cleantech entrepreneurs between the ages of 10 and 24 is running as part of the overall contest. The Cleantech Open Global Youth Competition is a search for big ideas from the next generation of cleantech entrepreneurs that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. Importantly, this new competition inspires young  entrepreneurs to not only tackle key energy, environmental and economic issues but to specifically devise sustainable businesses ideas that could generate much-needed jobs for young people.

In addition to the final judging round, entrepreneurs participate in the Global Expo with 200+ startups and are connected to potential investors, partners and customers. All national finalists in the Global Ideas and Global Youth competitions are invited to attend and participate in additional events, meetings and mentor sessions. The Global Forum takes place on November 8-9 with additional activities for finalists during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Silicon Valley.

tags: Cleantech Open, featured