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Allegheny Region Cleantech Prize Website
Congratulations to our 2017 Allegheny Cleantech Competition Winners!

The Allegheny Region Cleantech University Prize Competition, the clean energy technology competition hosted by CMU's Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, was held on March 28 during CMU's Energy Week. Student entrepreneurs with unique product or service ideas in renewable energy and energy efficiency from accredited colleges or universities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland competed for over $50K in prize money. 

This year's winners include: 

Carnegie Mellon University's RoBotany (first place, $50K)
RoBotany is an indoor vertical farming company using automated robotics and software analytics to transform modern agriculture. The company was recently featured in NEXTpittsburgh as one of 17 tech companies to watch in 2017 and is currently competing in the Rice Business Plan Competition.

CMU's Teratonix (second place, $10K)
Teratonix is a maintenance-free solution that converts ambient radio waves to generate electricity on a spot.

Both teams also placed in CMU's McGinnis Venture Competition, where student entrepreneurs competed for $60K in investments. RoBotany received a $25,000 investment for taking first in the graduate student track while Teratonix took second place. Read more about the competition in this CMU News story. 

The University of Maryland's RE-Empower and MPEL-EVtech (third place, $5K each)
RE-Empower is a social enterprise committed to help eradicate global energy and economic poverty through the development of renewable energy systems for critical institutions and businesses in developing and emerging economies.

MPEL-EVtech develops Electrical Vehicle technology, bi-directional, high efficiency, multi-functional EV charging system.

Robert Morris University's Minimus (fan favorite, $5K)
Minimus delivers hyper-efficient, DC-powered homes that are highly customizable and socially beneficial.

And, don't miss this video interview with Austin Webb of RoBotany and Allegheny Cleantech Competition judge Will Allen, who is also a former Pittsburgh Steeler! Thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the coverage! 
NEWS FROM THE 2016 ALLEGHENY CLEANTECH COMPETITORS
PITT's HiberSense Places in Major Competitions

HiberSense TeamHiberSense, a company out of the University of Pittsburgh, recently won the $50,000 grand prize at UpPrize, a competition that calls for solutions that increase access to healthy food or use technology for social purpose. HiberSense, which competed in the 2016 Allegheny Cleantech Competition, developed a climate-control system that saves up to 40% of HVAC costs and increases comfort for individuals. HiberSense's ideas for micro-zone climate control also made their mark during the Randall Family Big Idea Competition, an experience-based learning opportunity for Pitt students with big ideas that awards a $25K grand prize. Learn more about HiberSense.
Expresso Logic Receives Over $200K Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Grant 
 
Following their success in the 2016 Allegheny Cleantech Prize Competition, the winner of the $50,000 top prize, Expresso Logic (formerly known as DR-Advisor), received a Phase 1 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Grant worth just over $220,000. The company, which is out of the University of Pennsylvania, developed a data-driven demand response recommender system. Demand response can help consumers reduce the price volatility they face for their electricity.  
MORE OPPORTUNITIES
Apply to These Cleantech University Prize Partner Competitions
 
LaunchR is the Rutgers student-run clean technology innovation contest and startup accelerator funded by the United States Department of Energy. The top prize is $50,000. Apply by April 12!

Megawatt Ventures, another Cleantech partner competition funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is an annual business competition for student teams to compete for a $50,000 prize to launch and grow their cleantech innovations into a successful business! Applications close April 21. Apply now! If you have any questions, email Jack Henkel, University of Central Florida.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Enroll in This New Class on Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship!

In fall 2017, Deborah Stine, Professor of the Practice in Engineering and Public Policy, and Scott Institute for Energy Innovation Associate Director for Policy Outreach, will teach a class in Energy Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CMU. Stine is also the manager of the Allegheny Region Cleantech Competition. In the class, students will learn the fundamentals of energy innovation and entrepreneurship, how innovation and entrepreneurship in energy differs from that in other fields, and practice these skills by either developing a business and non-market strategy for an idea of their own, or build upon energy technological innovations developed by CMU faculty or scientists and engineers in federal laboratories. The resulting strategy can, if students wish, be submitted for competitions that typically take place each spring at CMU, Pittsburgh, and throughout the United States. Fall registration week begins April 24. Look for course number 19427/19627. View the schedule of classes.
Apply for the 2017 ACEEE Industry Summer Study Scholarship

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is accepting applications for the Linda Latham Scholarships to attend its 2017 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Industry in Denver, Colorado from August 15 -18. To be eligible, an applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited college or university whose course work is related to energy/energy efficiency, climate change, environmental science, or a related field of study, and who is considering a career in energy/energy efficiency. The application deadline is April 10, so apply here soon!
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Intersector Spring 2017 Application Cycle Now Open
 
Have an idea for a business that values people, profit and the planet? Apply now to participate in the Intersector Accelerator Spring 2017 Cycle! You'll receive 12 weeks of hands-on business development, up to $10,000 cash and you'll be fast-tracked to follow-on investment. Learn more and apply by April 15!
Graduate Research Opportunity at DOE National Laboratories

The DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2017 Solicitation 1. Applications are due by 5:00 pm EST on May 16. Learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and online application process. For any questions, please contact the SCGSR Program Manager, Dr. Ping Ge.
PITCH OPPORTUNITIES
Compete in PitchFest 2017
 
PitchFest 2017, an Elevator Pitch event, takes place April 25 at Duquesne University. Entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas and receive constructive feedback from a panel of investors and seasoned entrepreneurs. The winning teams will receive a basket of marketing, legal, technology, and management services, in addition to cash prizes! Apply by April 14 at 5:00 PM.

2017 Cleantech Open Start-up Accelerator Accepting Applications

The Cleantech Open (CTO), Rocky Mountain division is accepting applications for the 2017 Start-up Accelerator program until May 1, 2017. CTO is a global accelerator for early-stage clean technology startup companies. The sixth-month program connects startups with the people, resources, and visibility to help them succeed. Apply!
Participate in the 7th Annual Go Green in the City Case Challenge

Go Green in the City is a global competition where innovative students solve challenges in energy management for smarter cities. Twelve teams of finalists will be invited to Paris to compete for the grand prize: a sponsored trip around the world and a job offer at Schneider Electric. Register by May 12.
Submit Your Solution for The BIG Pitch Competition
 
The BIG Pitch Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students with innovative solutions in the field of sustainability. Eight finalists will be invited to present at Ocean Exchange on October 8 in front of 150 delegates from business, NGOs, academia and government. Delegates will vote who receives one $10,000 cash award. The Early Bird Registration Deadline is August 1, 2017. Learn more.
Department of Energy Student Contests and Competitions
UPCOMING CLEANTECH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EVENTS
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Join the "Pittsburgh Measures Up" Initiative
 
Is your business driving social change in the Steel City? Idea Foundry invites you to measure and share your company's social and environmental impact on Pittsburgh's quality of life. Idea Foundry's Pittsburgh Measures Up initiative is in partnership with global business impact measurement leader, B Lab. Take the assessment at any time to see how your business is helping Pittsburgh! Contact Idea Foundry with any questions.
The Allegheny Region Cleantech University Prize Newsletter is provided by Carnegie Mellon's Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. Anyone is welcome to join this list and can sign up at http://eepurl.com/btfieL.

This monthly newsletter promotes pitch opportunities for start-up companies and entrepreneurs. Questions about this newsletter should be directed to dstine@andrew.cmu.edu.

Do you know of pitch opportunities energy startups may be interested in? Email us and we'll consider including it in our next newsletter.
Copyright © 2017 Carnegie Mellon University Scott Institute for Energy Innovation, All rights reserved.

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