How to make darn sure (or near as darn it) that your application is accepted in the 2012 cleantech...

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

2

3 4

5

6 7

8

9

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



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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTUKnLhJH_8&feature=youtu.be�

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

http://www.cleantechopen.com/launchhere�

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


Make sure that you’re logged in so the system can recognize you


• Create your team name • Make sure you read the release and check the

button


• 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


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2

3

4

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Add a team member. You must have a minimum of two (2) team members prior to

participating as a Semifinalist

1


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


Once each team member has received the notification, have them click on the link and it

will connect them to your team


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


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


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.


Please remember to complete all areas of your application


Requesting a Mentor *- Important: If requesting a mentor, be make sure to select “Yes” in answer to the question “Do you

need…”.


* 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

How to make darn sure (or near as darn it) that your application is accepted in the 2012 cleantech...

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