how to make darn sure (or near as darn it) that your application is accepted in the 2012 cleantech...
TRANSCRIPT
Startup Success 101: How to Make Darn Sure (or Near as Darn it)
That Your Application is Accepted in the 2012 Cleantech Open
Join Us
Our 60 Minute Agenda
• A Little About the Cleantech Open (5 minutes)
• Impact & History of the Accelerator & Competition (5 minutes)
• How the Accelerator & Competition Work (10 minutes)
• How to Apply (10 minutes)
• How to Make Darn Sure (or near as Darn It) that Your Application Will Get Accepted (5 minutes)
• Have Your Questions Answered (15 minutes)
The Cleantech Open Ecosystem
Our Network of Networks
Cleantech Open Participants & Alumni
Government
Venture Capital
Foundations
National Labs
Corporations
Utilities
Volunteers, Mentors, Judges
Service Providers
Individual Donors
Our Team…
Our Mission
The mission of the Cleantech Open is to
find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s
most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges.
Cleantech Open Runs the World’s Largest Cleantech Accelerator
Founded
A Not-For-Profit
Volunteer Professionals Nationwide
US Regional Business Competitions
States
Annual Events in 26 Cities Nationwide
Training
Mentoring
Access to Capital
Showcasing
The World’s Largest Cleantech Accelerator
• National Academies, National Webinars, Regional Training
• 861 participating mentors nationally: 475 generalists and 386 specialists
• 18+ Business Clinics nationally
• Regional event and showcases • National Conference & Global Forum • Press exposure
• National Investor Series: Pitch Panels Networking Receptions, Investor Connect
Results and Impact
Since 2006
• $660 million+ received to date, from 225 reporting US alumni
• $154 million secured in the last 12 months
• 581 US alumni companies
• 40% of US alumni companies have received external funding
Company Cleantech Open Status Date Amount
Adura Technologies 2006 Energy Efficiency Winner 2010 $12M
Alphabet Energy 2009 Energy Efficiency & Sustainability Winner 2011 $12M
EarthClean 2010 North Central Finalist 2011 $1M
EcoFactor 2009 National Grand Prize Winner 2010 $5.9M
FloDesign 2009 National Grand Prize Winner 2010 $37.5M
Green Volts 2006 Renewable Energy Finalist 2010 $35M
Halotechnics 2006 Renewable Energy Finalist 2010 $5.2M
Mission Motors 2007 Transportation Finalist 2010 $4.7M
OnChip Power 2010 Northeast Winner 2011 $1.8M
Rivertop Renewables 2009 Rocky Mountain Winner 2011 $4.75M
SustainX Energy 2008 Northeast Finalist 2011 $20M
Xolve 2010 North Central Finalist 2011 $2M
Our Alumni are Getting Funded - Over $660M
“I’ve been to business school. It takes a few years. This takes a concentrated two months, it’s pretty intense, and it’s probably more important. It really prepares you to move a company forward.”
“The Cleantech Open did an outstanding job of providing us with informative workshops and extraordinary mentors… To us, this was more than a competition, it was an invaluable learning experience.“
What Cleantech Open Alumni Are Saying
Dennis Murphy, Ground Source Geothernal, 2008 Green Building Runner Up and 2008 Sustainability Award Winner
Gabriel Ayala, Enovative Group, 2008 Energy Efficiency Finalist
Accelerate Your Cleantech Startup to the Next Level
The Pathway to Winning ~150 Regional Semifinalists
7 Regional Winners 7 Regional Sustainability Winners
Up to 24 Regional Finalists
1 National Winner
Participation in mentoring, events (over 50% of all applicants)
$20,000 in cash and services for each Regional Finalist (typically three finalists per region)
Plus $10,000 in cash and services for each Regional Winner (one per region) And $10,000 in cash and services for each Regional Sustainability Winner (one per region)
Plus $250,000 in cash and services for one National Grand Prize Winner Grand Prize includes up to $100,000 cash (seed investment)
All cash prizes may be cash grant and/or investment and are subject to change
Apply Within Your Region
Qualify as a Semifinalist
Become a Regional Finalist
Exhibit at the Global Forum
Win the Grand Prize
and receive expert feedback
and mentoring
to receive $45,000+ worth of training, services,
mentoring, network and visibility, including …
and receive a “Startup in a Box” of cash and services
worth $20,000
and present your ideas to investors and business leaders
and receive up to $250,000* worth of cash, services, national press coverage
and more
Participate in the National Conference, showcase your idea
and meet future clients and investors
Present your idea to a Regional Judging Panel and receive expert feedback
Participate in the Regional Business
Clinics to sharpen your business plan,
presentation and strategy
Participate in the Academy, an acclaimed, intensive, 3-day training
course led by experts
Here’s How It Works 1
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3 4
5
6 7
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SOUTH CENTRAL
MID ATLANTIC
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
ROCKY MOUNTAIN
NORTH EAST
WESTERN
Apply Within Your Region 1
NORTH CENTRAL
Renewable Energy
Energy Efficiency
Green Building
Air, Water & Waste
Transportation
Smart Power
Apply Within Your Category 1
Apply Early!
… and work with our team to finalize your application.
For questions, call our 800#: 888-989-6736
(989-OPEN) or complete a ticket:
www.cleantechopen.com/questionbusinesscompetition
1
Annual Launch (Feb/Mar) Breakfast Briefings (Jan-Apr) Networking Mixers (Jun - Nov)
National Conference (Jun) Regional Awards (Oct) Global Forum (Nov)
Qualify as a Semifinalist. Events include: 2-5
… Mentoring, Training, Capital, Showcases
Regional and National Media Academies (Jun/Jul) Training Program (Jul-Sep)
Business Clinics (Jul-Aug) Investor Series Exhibit Booths (Conference, Forum)
2-5
Qualify as a Semifinalist & Be Matched to a Mentor
Access the specialist mentor database for specialized help with your technology and business model …
2
Exhibit at the National Conference 3
June 21st 2012 San Jose | California
1,000 + Attendees
Participate in the National Academy 4 June 22-24th 2012 | San Jose | CA
or June 28-29th 2012 | Boston | MA
• Customer/market discovery, business model evaluation, validation and pivots • Fundamentals of sourcing funding and pitching to investors
- prepare or polish your 10-15 minute investor pitch • IP strategy • Principals of financial modeling • How to win the Cleantech Open competition • Come out with the tools to complete your worksheets
- required for the final rounds
The 10-week Summer Program 5
* and/or local networking event/mixer
Date National Webinar Topics Special Topic Sessions
7/10 Business Model Canvas Cap Tables
7/17 Product / Technology Validation Term Sheets
7/24Market & Getting To ItSize, Trends, Competitive Dynamics, Channels, etc.
Regional Webinar
7/31 Financials Analysis & Modeling Strategy Regional Webinar
8/7 Risk Analysis Regional Seminar *
8/14 Execution & Team Needed to Execute Regional Seminar*
8/21 Legal/Organization Structure Regional Seminar*
8/28 Sustainability Sustainability
9/4 Mentor Assessment, Executive Summary & Presentation Regional Webinar
Regional Business Clinics
Regional Business Clinics
Regional Business Clinics
The 10 Tuesdays 5
* and/or local networking event/mixer
9-2Business Clinics(CA)
9-2Business Clinics(NW)
9-3Business Clinics(RM)
9-2Business Clinics(NC)
9-2Business Clinics(SC)
9-3Business Clinics(NE)
9-3Business Clinics(SA)
3-5Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
3-5Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
2-4Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
2-4Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
3-5National Webinar
3-5National Webinar
4-6National Webinar
6-8National Webinar
6-8National Webinar
5-7National Webinar
5-7National Webinar
5-7Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
5-7Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
6-8Webinar or
Regional Seminar *
Regional Judging & Awards Become a Regional Finalist and
Receive a “Startup in a Box” of cash and services worth $20,000
6-7
Receive Expert Feedback
Participate in the Global Forum November 8 - 9th 2012 | Silicon Valley | CA
8
Investor Connect Showcase Pitch to future Customers & Investors
• Showcase your products and services in the Global Forum Expo • Participate in Investor Connect • Present to a panel of judges on stage to 1,000+ investors, and business leaders
who will decide on the national winner
Win The National Grand Prize of $250K*
Category Winner National Grand Prize Winner
All Semifinalists, Finalists and Winners are part of our Alumni Network for life
9
*grant and/or investment and in-kind services
Getting Started
• Enter the 2012 Competition www.cleantechopen.com/launchhere
• Create a Team Note: you will need a minimum of 2 team members (including the team leader) by May 8th to qualify
• Access your Online Application Complete and submit by May 8th, 2012, 11:59pm, PDT
• View this helpful video http://vimeo.com/39806006
2012 Application Criteria and Fees Application Criteria* • $1m max in external private financing, cumulative • $5m max from grants or friends and family, cumulative • 1 US resident, citizen or legal alien minimum per team
Application Fee • $140 Per Team (professionals) • $90 Per Team (students)
Participation Fee (as Semifinalist) • $475 Per Person • Heavily subsidized by sponsors and the generous contributions of many
volunteers across the country *Must meet all eligibility criteria by May 8th
Participation Fee Includes
• Participation at the National and/or East Coast Academy
• Participation in all Training (Seminars and Webinars)
• Participation in Mentor, Investor, Sustainability Programs
• Some Meals at National Conference, National and/or East Coast Academy, Global Forum*
• Exhibition space at National Conference, Global Forum*
• Tickets to all regional and most national events^
* Most, but not all of your meals will be catered at our events. ^ Excluding National Investor Panel and National VIP Events/Receptions.
Participation Fee Includes
• Materials like the new book from Steve Blank & Bob Dorf “The Startup Owner’s Manual”
• Exclusive Software Offer from the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program - a full commercial software license of the Autodesk® Product Design Suite at no cost (up to $10,000 value) to all semi-finalists who attend either the East or West Coast Academies.
Deadline for Application Submissions Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
11:59pm, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) Semifinalists Will be Notified – May 23rd
• Semifinalist Participation Fee of $475 per team member (Minimum team size of 2 people) – includes participation in full program (excludes travel and accommodation)
National Conference June 21 – San Jose, CA
National Academy (West Coast) June 22-24 – San San Jose, CA AND/OR National Academy (East Coast) June 28 & 29 – Boston, MA (participation at one National Academy by at least one member of your team, or a deputy, is mandatory)
Participation in Full Program
Regional Business Clinics Tuesdays, July – September – Recommended. Locations will vary by region. Remote access may be available
Final Worksheets deadline – Sept. 10th (Mandatory) Regional Mock Judging September 18th – Recommended.
Location will vary by region. Remote access may be available in some regions
Regional Judging and Awards October 9th -12th - In your region. Date will vary by region (Mandatory)
Global Forum, November 8th – 9th – Bay Area, CA (Mandatory for Finalists; major opportunity for Semifinalists)
Global Partner
National Education Partner
National Sponsor
Regional & Multi-Regional Sponsors
Making Darn Sure (or near as Darn It) That Your Application Will Get Accepted
Judging Criterion
Description
Technology the technology or service is potentially disruptive and/or demonstrates the potential for a sustainable competitive advantage; the product, service or business model has protected or protectable IP
Market the potential market size is large enough for sustained business growth, and aligned with the expectations of possible funding sources (if any)
Team minimum two people; team members must credible, able to attract additional quality team members; at least one team member US resident, citizen, or legal alien; no member of the team is directly affiliated with the operation of the Cleantech Open
Basic Due Diligence
the team owns its own IP, or has an exclusive license to the IP or to a key improvement in the IP, or has reasonable expectation of being able to secure such a license; the team believes their IP claims are valid; team members are well-reputed
Funding the company has received less than $1M from private third party investors and less than $5M from all other sources of funding (maximum $6M in total)
Round 1 Judging Criteria
3. Technology & IP Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
2. Market Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
7. The Company (Team) Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application
Key Areas of Focus for a Winning Application 10. Funding
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Create an account with the Cleantech Open by starting here
Fill out all required information to create your free Cleantech Open account
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Make sure that you’re logged in so the system can recognize you
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
• Create your team name • Make sure you read the release and check the
button
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
• Select the category you fill best suits your idea or prototype. Note that if we feel you are in the wrong category we will move you to the correct one.
• Check whether you are a professional team or student team
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
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Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Add a team member. You must have a minimum of two (2) team members prior to
participating as a Semifinalist
1
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Invite other team members. NOTE: Send invitations to the same email address they
used when setting up their Cleantech Open account. Make sure they have *first* set up an account before
you send invitations.
1
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Once each team member has received the notification, have them click on the link and it
will connect them to your team
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Once your team member has clicked to accept the team invitation they will see this page.
They can then click on “Review/Finish Entry” to collaborate with your team
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
As you complete the steps you will see checkmarks against steps that have been completed- it is important
to note that you must click on the title of item to be completed and not on the square box
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Please take your time completing the online application – don’t wait until the last day to get
started. You can save the page as many times as you need to until May 8, 2012, 11:59PM, PDT.
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Please remember to complete all areas of your application
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
Requesting a Mentor *- Important: If requesting a mentor, be make sure to select “Yes” in answer to the question “Do you
need…”.
Key Steps to Starting Your Journey
* Not all regions provide mentors
before the semifinals… but you can
always contact us to receive guidance
Not An Applicant? Get Involved…
• Apply to compete in the world’s largest cleantech accelerator
• Volunteer to become an active part of driving our programs
• Mentor the startups that will create jobs & save the planet
• Partner to connect your network with our evolving ecosystem
• Sponsor to build your brand and gain privileged access
• Donate to help us help more cleantech entrepreneurs thrive
• Attend our 2012 National Conference June 21, 2012
Join us again for any final questions Final Applicant Webinar Tuesday, May 3
May 3, 2012 10am PDT
11am MDT 12pm CDT 1pm EDT Steve Hahn, Dow Chemical Cleantech VC
© 2012 All Rights Reserved