Clean Energy Trust Announces Semifinalists for the Inaugural Student Clean Energy Challenge: $150,000 in Prizes to Be Awarded

The Clean Energy Trust is excited to announce the
semifinalists in its inaugural Clean Energy Student Challenge. A
distinguished panel of independent evaluators selected student-led
companies from eight states to compete for $50,000 in state prizes
and the $100,000 grand prize, provided by the Department of Energy.
Applications from eight states were submitted in all technology
areas of clean energy; from waste-to-energy solutions and biofuels
to solar cells and new wind energy innovations. The semifinalists
will receive mentoring to prepare them to present their business
plans to a panel of judges comprised of venture capitalists,
corporate investors and business leaders. The presentations will be
made on the afternoon of February 29th, when eight finalists will
earn a chance to compete for the grand prize on March 1 at the
Spertus Center in Chicago. The Student Challenge is truly bringing
the best and the brightest students from some of our nations most
prestigious universities to the forefront of the clean energy
world, noted Amy Francetic, executive director of the Clean Energy
Trust. They have taken wonderfully innovative technologies and
built viable business plans around them. Student Challenge
finalists University Category 1.
Amplified Wind Solutions Cleveland State University renewables 2.
ATS Motors Purdue University next-gen transportation 3. Bagpipe
Technologies Northwestern University energy-efficiency 4.
Convolutus Inc. Purdue University energy-efficiency 5. Design Flux
Technologies University of Akron energy storage 6. Effimax Solar
University of Illinois--Urbana renewables 7. Electroluminescent
Products University of Missouri--Kansas City energy-efficiency 8.
Hydraulic Wind Power Indiana University renewables 9. NanoHarv Case
Western Reserve University renewables 10. NuMat Technology
Northwestern University energy storage 11. Power-by-Nano Purdue
University renewables 12. ReGenerate Solutions University of
MichiganAnn Arbor biomass 13. Re:Wind Purdue University renewables
14. Root3 University of Chicago energy-efficiency 15. Saturnis
Washington University biomass 16. SiNode Northwestern University
energy storage Finalists will present their business plans to a
prestigious panel of judges at the 2012 Clean Energy Challenge on
March 1. The winner of the Student Challenge will compete in the
national finals in Washington, D.C. this summer. CET and its anchor
partnersCleantech Open and Nortech (Ohio), University of Michigan,
Purdue University (Indiana) and Washington University
(Missouri)held statewide competitions to select three finalists
from each state to compete in the Clean Energy Student Challenge in
Chicago. An additional 16 universities from across the Midwest
served as supporting partners for the competitions. The 2012 Clean
Energy Challenge corporate sponsors include Wells Fargo, Acciona,
Skadden, ArcelorMittal, Invenergy, Planet Solar, UK Trade and
Investment, Goldwind, West Capital, True North Venture Partners and
Marathon Capital. To attend the 2012 Clean Energy Challenge,
register here. About Clean Energy Trust: The Clean Energy Trust was
founded by prominent business and civic leaders to accelerate the
pace of clean energy innovation in the Midwest. The Trust is
supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Joyce
Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Small Business
Administration and donations from over 50 investors, corporations,
universities and trade groups. For more information, visit
www.cleanenergytrust.org