If you have an early stage cleantech startup, you should consider participating in Cleantech Open! It's the oldest and largest accelerator for cleantech startups with solutions in energy and environment. Go to http://cleantechopen.org for more info.

1. What is a startup accelerator?
Beth Zonis, Northeast Regional Director
Cleantech Open
November 28, 2018
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2. 2
ac·cel·er·a·tor
/əkˈseləˌrādər/
noun
a person or thing that
causes something to
happen or develop more
quickly
It’s about more than speed

3. 3
Key questions
● Who cares?
● Why should you care?
● What is it all about?
● Where is it?
● When does it take place?
● How does it work?

4. 4
● Who cares? Early stage startups
● Why should you care? Test your
assumptions and accelerate the growth
of your startup
● What is it all about? It’s like a mini MBA
for your startup -- with a curriculum,
mentoring, funding and community
involvement
● Where is it? It’s virtual, with in-person
events
● When does it take place? Apply in April,
the program runs May to October
● How does it work? Keep reading!
The Cleantech Open example

5. 5
Education
● 5-month online curriculum
● Multiple events: 2-day Academy; 5 business
clinics; 2-day finals with judging, expo,
investor meetings, pitching and awards
Mentorship
● 4 mentors per startup
Financing
● Investor Connect
● Competition & awards
Community
● Cleantech Open ecosystem
What can you expect from your
Cleantech Open experience?

6. 6
Cleantech Open startup accelerator provides...
Services Example: Cleantech Open Details
Education 5-month online curriculum with in-
person programming
● From Business Model Canvas to
Executive Summary and Pitch
● Academy, Business Clinics, Showcase,
Investor Connect, Pitching, Awards
Mentorship 4 mentors per startup Advice and feedback from many and varied
professionals
Financing Investor Connect
Competition & awards
● Introductions to strategics, VCs,
angels, impact investors
● Opportunities to compete for funding
opportunities
● Prizes (cash and in-kind services)
Community Cleantech innovation ecosystem Connections

7. 2018 at a Glance
390 Northeast Alumni to Date
• 30 Graduates
• +400 Volunteers
• 4 Mentor matches per team
• 57 Applicants
• $40,000 in regional prizes
• 98% Recommendation Rate
Highlights from 2018 cohort
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4 Regional
Winners:
Acoustic Diagnostic System
Aquova Water
Radical Plastics
Social Solar

8. 8
The community makes it work!

9. 9
Thank you!
cleantechopen.org
Beth E. Zonis
Regional Director
http://linkedin.com/in/bethzonis