Category: Featured CCEA Blogs
April 22nd Judging Panel Set!
It is with great excitement to announce the 2013 judging panel for the Chicago Qualifying event of the GCCA Later Stage Cleantech Awards Competition
Ben Brown
Ben Brown is an Analyst at the Clean Energy Trust where he focuses on the commercialization consulting practice and program development. He has a unique perspective on renewable energy technologies and policy, with hands on renewable system project development and installation experience. After living in Nepal he helped lead a team to 4th place in the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Competition. He has a deep understanding of energy systems, renewable energy technology and industry, as well as growth strategy and technology commercialization. Ben holds a B.A. in Physics from Middlebury College.
Quentin Burchill
Since starting with Angott Search Group in 1996, Quentin has made over 215 placements, successfully matching qualified candidates to his clients’ needs. Today he manages the growth of ASG’s international energy practice by developing relationships with investment firms that invest in the energy industry, conventional energy businesses/utilities, and renewable/cleantech energy businesses. Quentin’s outstanding track record is directly attributable to his ability to find candidates with the right mix of educational pedigree, strong development potential and passion to achieve and excel. Noted for his personal, hands-on approach to filling critical roles, he demonstrates the same urgency, drive, speed, and stamina that drive his clients. Quentin is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Barb Fatina, CPA, MBA
Barb Fatina, CPA, MBA, is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Argonne National Laboratory. Prior to this she was Chief Financial Officer at DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol and Vice President and General Manager of Exelon Energy Company. Barb has extensive experience in the energy industry with responsibilities in general management, operations, finance and administration. Ms. Fatina has deep experience in building sustainable businesses, business systems and high performing teams. Barb holds a BS from Illinois State University and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University.
Jared Gonsky
Jared Gonsky is a Senior Business Development Manager with LanzaTech based in Chicago where he facilitates global business development initiatives. Previous to LanzaTech he worked for DuPont’s Cellulosic Ethanol business, for the environmental consulting firm ERM, and a technology-focused venture capital firm. Additionally he has broad industry and functional knowledge gained from consulting in the areas of corporate sustainability, supply chain management and marketing with leading firms such as Shell, United Airlines, Colgate-Palmolive, PepsiCo, Baxter Healthcare, Abbott Laboratories, Schering-Plough, and Nanophase Technologies.
Diana Y. Hu, PhD
Diana Y. Hu, PhD Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, MBA University of Chicago. Professional experience includes strategy consulting at PwC and Deloitte, and corporate roles at Allstate Insurance Company. Entrepreneurial field of interest includes education (founder, Geotranslearning.com, an online education entity targeting foreign-born professionals in the US) and clean energy (certified in ground source geo-exchange heat pump system design and installation).
Philip Martin
Philip Martin has 20+ years experience in the transportation industry in matters of Finance, Business Development, Operations Analysis, and Process Improvement. He has worked on management consulting projects involving all modes of transport, but has special expertise in matters involving the railway, airline, and public transit industries. He currently works for United Airlines. Philip has an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago and a BS in Transportation Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mark Menarik
Mark Menarik is an accomplished serial entrepreneur specializing in high-level, early-stage and hands-on markets, relationships and business development. He has held a variety of executive roles in helping technology-based ventures innovate, launch and grow in the alternative energy and nano materials space advancing both mechanical and energetic applications. He is currently the Principal of UltraCarbon, a private consultancy focused on cleantech scale-ups. He holds a B.S. in General Engineering and Minor in Marketing from the University of Illinois and is LEED-Green Associate and Renewable Energy Manager certified.
Travis Narum
Travis Narum has 10 years of energy experience most recently as the Development Director at Acciona Energy where he was in charge of wind and solar development for the central and eastern United States. At Acciona he installed over 250 MW of wind and managed a pipeline of over 1,000 MW of projects. Prior to Acciona he worked for DTE Energy where he helped start the wind group for Detroit Edison. He holds degrees from West Point and the University of Michigan.
Anthony Toussaint
Anthony Toussaint is a senior leader in research and development and new business development with expertise in the specialty chemicals industry. Anthony most recently worked as the R&D Director for DSM Functional Materials developing coatings and reins primarily for the fiber optics industry. While at DSM, Anthony was responsible for innovation within the business unit. He created and led a global new business development group, where he completed one acquisition and generated three fledgling businesses. Anthony holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of London, UK
Klaus Voss
Klaus Voss has been an entrepreneur in the environmental, energy, sustainability and biotechnology space for over 20 years. He is the founder of several companies including The SI Group, High Yield Growth and BW-Indah. Most recently Klaus has been involved in commercializing bio-augmentation technology for rural and urban wastewater in Mexico, India and the ASEAN Community.
Register today before space run’s out!
Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award
We are pleased to announce that the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) is now accepting applications for the 2013 Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Awards.
The deadline for application submittal is May 31, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Applications will only be accepted electronically. Details and application information can be found on ourwebsite.
The award ceremony will be held this fall in Peoria, and once again ISTC will also host theIllinois Campus Sustainability Compact Awards Program in conjunction with the Governor’s Sustainability Awards program.
We encourage you to forward this announcement to your colleagues that may also be interested in the program. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the award application.
Debra Jacobson, Regional Operations Manager
Email Address: djacobso@illinois.edu Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
University of Illinois
1010 Jorie Boulevard, Suite 338
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630-472-5019
Cleantech Competition – Chicago Qualifying for the GCCA Later Stage Awards
The Chicago Clean Energy Alliance (CCEA) announces its 3rd annual
The CCEA is one of over 50 global clusters that provide innovative cleantech companies with the rare opportunity to gain international visibility and access to professional investors. The CCEA is responsible for nominating 10 companies each year for the Global Cleantech Cluster Association’s Later Stage Awards competition. We invite later-stage companies, early-stage or pre-revenue companies with a defined business plan in the following cleantech sectors:
Bioenergy, Energy Storage, Lighting/Energy Efficiency, Solar Energy, Smart Grid/Sustainable IT, Tidal/Hydropower, Transportation, Waste Management, Water Treatment, Wind Energy
To qualify for this year’s event, send an executive summary of your business plan to the CCEA at: steven@theccea.org. There are no format or page length requirements for the submission. The submission should not include any personal confidential information.
Your submission must be received by 5:00 pm CST on April 11, 2013 to be considered for invitation to present to the judging panel. (Note: selected companies will be notified on an ongoing base until the deadline.)
If selected, your company will be invited to present to a panel of investors, scientists and industry leaders on April 22nd in Chicago (Location TBA). Ten finalists chosen by the panel will be nominated by the CCEA for participation in the Later Stage Awards, to be held in November 2013. These awards are judged by a panel of over 30 venture capitalists who collectively manage $3.5 billion in the clean tech space.
Please contact Steve Wolff at the above email with any questions.
We welcome your participation!
Chicago Clean Energy Alliance 2012 Nomination to the GCCA LSA 2012
200 companies ~ 30 semifinalist ~ 10 winners
BioEnergy
Turbulent Energy
Lighting/Energy Efficiency
Kelix
Xolve
Tidal/Hydropower
Resolute Marine Energy
Transportation
Power Generation Technologies
Chicago Clean Energy Alliance 2011 Nomination to the GCCA LSA 2012
185 companies ~ 30 semifinalist ~ 10 winners
Agriculture
Mercurius Biofuels
Soy Works Corporation
Energy Efficiency
Infinirel Corporation
Lumec Control Products
PearlLED – semifinalist
Power Generation Technologies
Renewable Energy
Bing Energy
Solar
Pure Solar Corp
Silicon Solar Solutions
Solaris Synergy – semifinalist, BEST of Solar Category Winner
Transportation
Arcimoto
Ventech
Water
Aqua-Nu
Flo-Matic
FogBusters
Portapure – semifinalist
Global Cleantech Cluster Association
http://www.globalcleantech.org
PP from Video from Illinois Renewable Energy at a Crossroads: Why 2013 will be a make or break year.
Please enjoy the PowerPoint from our panel presentation on March 11th.
The Chicago Clean Energy Alliance, in partnership with the Illinois Coalition to Advance Renewable Energy, Wind on the Wires, the Illinois Solar Energy Association, Clean Energy Trust, Clean Energy Illinois PAC, Environmental Law & Policy Center and hosted by Baker & McKenzie, invite you to attend a critical discussion about why renewable energy development in Illinois is in jeopardy – and how you can help.
Panel experts:
Richard M. Saines, Principal Baker & McKenzie LLP
Rick Saines heads the North America Climate Change and Environmental Markets Practice for Baker & McKenzie and will serve as event moderator. Rick is a widely published and globally recognized climate change lawyer with over a decade of experience on climate change policy, sustainable development and global corporate greenhouse gas compliance and management.
Eric Thumma, Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs Iberdrola Renewables
Eric is an energy and environmental professional with over 15 year of experience. He joined Iberdrola Renewables in 2006 and focuses on renewable energy legislation, project siting, taxation, and competitive energy markets.
Barry Matchett, Co-Legislative Director & Policy Advocate The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC)
Barry is a clean energy advocate in Springfield working on ELPC’s Energy Project, which promotes the development of polices and resources to advance renewable energy, energy efficiency, and global warming solutions. Barry is also Treasurer and co-founder of Clean Energy Illinois PAC.
Mark Pruitt, Principal Illinois Community Choice Aggregation Network
As the first Director of the Illinois Power Agency, Mark has intimate knowledge of energy policy and the regulatory framework in Illinois. Mark currently advises dozens of communities throughout Illinois, including the City of Chicago, on community choice aggregation.
Lisa Albrecht, Solar Service, Inc.
Lisa Albrecht previously served on the ISEA Board of Directors from 2007 thru 2010 and has worked for Solar Service for 6.5 years. Lisa’s knowledge of solar along with experience training and speaking has made her a recognized leader in Illinois solar. She organized Illinois Solar Energy Association solar tour for four years and is currently working on permitting and policy issues in Illinois municipalities to pave the way for an easier installation process. She has supervised numerous commercial and residential installations including some of the largest installed solar in the state. From her first science fair project in the 7th grade, to lobbying in the halls of the U.S. Congress and Illinois State Senate, Lisa’s passion for the environment is only superseded by her commitment to providing families, small and large companies with the best the sun has to offer.
GCCA Late Stage Awards – Wrap-up
The GCCA hosted its second annual clean energy conference in Savannah, Georgia from November 11 to 13th this last week. The conference welcomed approximately 300 attendees representing 15 countries including delegations and dignitaries from Austria, Turkey, and Liberia.
Highlights included: Addresses from Nathan Deal (Georgia Governor), Johnny Isakson (U.S.Senator from Georgia), and Edna Jackson, (Mayor of Savannah).
Keynote speeches from Thomas Cain (Serial entrepreneur and principal at Greener Capital who’s invested 250MM in clean tech over the last 10 years), Dennis McGinn (Retired Vice Admiral and President of ACORE), and John Somerhalder (Chairman of AGL Resources, a Fortune 1000 company that distributes natural gas.)
Presentation of the GCCA Later Stage Awards to the 10 winners.
Thomas Cain provided an excellent overview of clean energy from an investment perspective. Despite a cumulative investment by angel investors, venture capitalists, and private equity firms of more than 40 billion dollars in the clean tech industry over the last 10 years, there have been only 27 exits for over 50MM. The average return on those few companies with an exit is a low multiple of 2.1 times the original investment. Consequently, investors are much more cautious and want to see proof-of-concept and revenue before making a commitment. Their focus has shifted to smaller projects, energy efficiency, and software.
The consensus among the speakers and attendees is that natural gas will be a game-changer. As late as 2006, the U.S. was projected to be a net importer of natural gas. Thanks to large discoveries in the U.S. and Canada, the supply of natural gas in North America is expected to last for over 100 years. There was disagreement as to whether or not the use of new fracking technology to extract shale oil would enable the U.S. to become a net exporter of oil within the next decade. Some experts went so far as to predict that the U.S. would exceed Saudi Arabia in oil production.
The GCCA is comprised of 47 clusters around the globe and growing. The clusters nominated 200 companies for the 2012 Later Stage Awards Competition. Peter Adriaens, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the U. of Michigan Ross School of Business, selected 30 semi-finalists and assigned groups of 3 to 10 different clean tech categories. The 10 winners were chosen by 28 venture capital and private equity investors who collectively manage 3.5 billion dollars in global clean tech investment. To see the 10 winners, go to: http://www.globalcleantech.
As the “Chicago Cluster,” the Chicago Clean Energy Alliance (CCEA) is responsible for nominating 10 companies each year for the GCCA Later Stage Awards competition. To qualify for next year’s event, send an executive summary or PowerPoint to the CCEA at: dstern@theccea.org. Although the GCCA annual competition focuses on later-stage companies, early-stage or pre-revenue companies are welcome to apply, too.
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