Midwestern entrepreneurs have less than a week to complete applications for the 2014 Clean Energy Challenge. The Clean Energy Challenge is Clean Energy Trust's annual business plan competition that will award $500,000 in total funding to help Midwestern entrepreneurs, students and researchers bring new clean energy technology to the marketplace.

The Clean Energy Challenge has produced consecutive winners of the Department of Energy's National Clean Energy Business Competition. Challenge finalists have also capitalized on their success to secure $40 million in outside investment, create more than 200 Midwest jobs and register more than 25 patents.

Finalists selected for the 2014 Clean Energy Challenge will receive mentoring and training from Clean Energy Trust in preparation for the April 3rd competition in Chicago. The judging panel includes nationally renowned investors, researchers and clean energy business leaders. Applicants enter the Clean Energy Challenge online at www.cleanenergytrust.org/challenge.

"Applying for the Clean Energy Challenge should be a top priority for any clean energy startup that's looking to move to the next level," said Amy Francetic, Clean Energy Trust CEO. "Leading venture capitalists, corporations and government agencies increasingly rely on the Challenge to provide a window on the next big ideas in cleantech."

Thanks to the strong support of its sponsors, the 2014 Clean Energy Challenge will offer the following prizes:

  • $100,000: Wells Fargo Grand Prize for Clean Energy Entrepreneurship
  • $100,000: U.S. Department of Energy Prize for Student Entrepreneurship
  • $100,000: Clean Energy Trust Prize for Early-Stage Entrepreneurship
  • $60,000: Six State Champion Prizes for Student Entrepreneurship
  • $50,000: United, Boeing and Honeywell UOP Aviation Energy Prize
  • $25,000: McCaffery Interests Prize for Building Efficiency
  • $20,000: ComEd Prize for Female Entrepreneurship
  • $10,000: Ameren Prize for Missouri Early-Stage Entrepreneurship
  • $10,000: Invenergy Prize for Wind Industry Innovation

Stay connected with Clean Energy Trust at Facebook.com/cleanenergytrust and Twitter @CleanEnergyTrst and #StartUpNow.

About Clean Energy Trust

Clean Energy Trust was founded by prominent business and civic leaders to fuel clean energy innovation in the Midwest. The trust is supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration and donations from more than 60 investors, corporations, universities, foundations and trade groups. For more information, visit www.cleanenergytrust.org.

Acknowledgement of Support

Clean Energy Trust gratefully acknowledges the following supporters of the Clean Energy Challenge: Abbott Laboratories, Agentis, American Electric Power, CBRE, Danfoss, EDP, Ernst & Young, Exelon, Indiana University, Ingersoll Rand, JP Morgan Chase, MEGTEK, Midwest Energy Research Consortium, Missouri Energy Initiative, Navigant Consulting, Nicor, Nortech, Northwestern University, Pivotal LNG, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, S&C Electric, Siemens, SoCore Energy, True North Venture Partners, University Clean Energy Alliance of Ohio, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Kansas and University of Michigan.

Platinum sponsors and prize contributors for the Clean Energy Challenge include: AGL Resources, The Boeing Company, ComEd, GE, GE Ventures, Honeywell UOP, Invenergy, The Joyce Foundation, McCaffery Interests, Purdue University, Skadden Arps, United Airlines, U.S. Department of Energy and Wells Fargo.

Visit www.cleanenergytrust.org to learn more.

Aileron Communications
Peter Gray, 312-629-9400
pgray@aileroninc.com