Thriving Cleantech Companies To Be Judged By $3.5 Billion of Investment Influence

ATLANTA, GA–August 24, 2011– The Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA), known as the global voice of cleantech, announced today 185 companies have been nominated for the 2011 GCCA Later Stage Award by 30 cleantech clusters from around the world. Nominations in 10 categories ranging from renewable energy and energy efficiency, to waste, water and green building were announced at the GCCA/EcoTech Quebec Cleantech for EcoCities Conference at EcoCity Montreal. Winners will be announced in Dublin on November 14th, hosted by the cleantech cluster An tSli Ghlas – The Green Way. Winning companies will receive international investment exposure and business support throughout 2012.

“We are thrilled to have such a strong list of nominated companies for the 2011 Later Stage Awards,” said Ben Taube, Chair of the GCCA. “Truly ground-breaking and innovative technologies are developed everyday across the world. We are pleased to highlight the very best and recognize them with partnership exposure among other benefits.”

Over next three months, the nominations will be judged on a variety of factors, from technology innovation and business strategy to their ability to execute. In addition to the 10 categories listed below, the three Most Impactful Technology awards will be given to companies that are improving the quality of life for people around the world, particularly in developing countries.

“With the Later Stage Awards we are moving the global cleantech needle forward,” said Shawn Lesser of Watershed Capital and co-founder of the GCCA. “Because of this type of global awareness cleantech companies make it from localized markets into mainstream adoption.”

Of the 29 judges hand-selected for the Later Stage Award many are leading venture capital investors and entrepreneurs, including; Generation’s Climate Solutions Fund (Al Gore’s investment Firm), The Rockefeller Foundation, Dow Venture Capital, BASF Venture Capital and more.

“The list of judges is like a who’s who of cleantech investment. It’s a rare opportunity for these companies to introduce their technologies to nearly 30 investors all at once,” said Cal Hackeman, global leader for cleantech at Grant Thornton International, the top sponsor of the Later Stage Awards. “The GCCA’s Later Stage Award is a unique opportunity in the cleantech sector to showcase meaningful innovation and we are very proud to be a part of it.”

View the 2011 GCCA Later Stage Award Nominees>>

About the Global Cleantech Cluster Association
Global Cleantech is a non-profit association, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.  that creates conduits for companies to harness the tremendous benefits of international cleantech cluster collaboration in an efficient, affordable, and structured way.  Global Cleantech provides a gateway for established and emerging cleantech companies to gain exposure to potential investors, new markets, influential networks, innovative technologies and best practices.  GCCA was founded by swisscleantech, the Finnish Cleantech Cluster, and Sustainable World Capital.  For more information about Global Cleantech, please visit www.globalcleantech.org.

About Grant Thornton International
Grant Thornton International is one of the world’s leading organisations of independently owned and managed accounting and consulting firms providing assurance, tax and specialist advisory services to privately held businesses and public interest entities. Clients of member and correspondent firms can access the knowledge and experience of more than 2,500 partners in over 100 countries and receive the same distinctive, high quality and personalised service wherever they choose to do business. Grant Thornton International strives to speak out on issues that matter to business and which are in the wider public interest and to be a bold and positive leader in its chosen markets and within the global accounting profession.

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