The Triangle is home to a growing number of new business accelerators, hubs, incubators – and as of tonight there will be one for the cleantech sector.

The Cleantech Open, an eight-year program launched in Silicon Valley, is expanding to the Triangle.

An introductory program is set for Thursday evening. Applications from startups for $10,000 in seed capital are due by May 1.

The first program is set at the N.C. Biotechnology Center beginni9ng at 5:30 p.m. and will feature an introductory overview about the program as well as a discussion of next steps for startups to take in the application process.

Dragan Mendel (dmendel@cleantechopen.org) os the “ambassador” for the organization in the southeast.

Ambassador-at-large for the southeast is Rochelle Blaustein (rblaustein@cleantechopen.org).

Cleantech Open already operates across the country and has supported more than 700 startups. Of those, nearly half have receivied funding totalling more than $800 million, the organization says. 

Startups accepted into the program receive mentoring, access to capital connections, and can participate in a “National Grand Prize” competition for $200,000 in funding. 

Applications are accepted in eight areas:

  • Energy Generation
  • Energy Distribution and Storage
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Chemicals and Advanced Materials
  • Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)
  • Green Building
  • Transportation
  • Agriculture, Water & Waste

According to the group’s website, the Cleantech Open is “designed specifically for cleantech entrepreneurs” who:

  • Have an innovative cleantech idea and need help getting it funded
  • Have a prototype but need to take the next steps to commercialization
  • Need help developing an effective investor pitch and introductions to the right investors