Clean Tech Open Announces Semi-Finalists in Rocky Mountain Region

DENVER, CO, Jun 26 (MARKET WIRE) --
Some of the Rocky Mountain region's best and brightest clean tech
concepts took a major step forward, as the Clean Tech Open (CTO)
(www.cleantechopen.com) today announced the 12 regional semi-finalists in
its clean tech business plan competition.

The semi-finalists were selected from a talented pool of 64 clean tech
entrepreneurs from the Rocky Mountain region, as well as teams from other
states, including Arizona and Michigan. The semi-finalists will go on to
compete for three regional prizes of up to $50,000 in cash and in-kind
services, and one national prize of up to $250,000 in cash and services.

All told, the 2009 Clean Tech Open competition includes more than a $1
million in total prizes and a "100K Jobs Challenge" to create 100,000
clean tech jobs in America over the next five years.

The 2009 Rocky Mountain semi-finalists include:

-- All Optronics: Cost-effective solar power using a unique optical
concentrator and optimized silicon solar cell, www.alloptronics.com,
Tucson, Ariz.
-- Clean Coal Briquette Inc.: Clean coal briquettes made from coal waste
and biomass waste for use in coal power plants, Lakewood, Colo.
-- CLEANtricity Power: Manufacturer of small wind turbines that can
generate power in a variety of locations and wind conditions, Broomfield,
Colo.
-- Cool Energy: Developers of a clean energy generating system,
www.coolenergyinc.com, Boulder, Colo.
-- EE-Low Cost Energy and Carbon Reduction: Low-cost energy and carbon
reduction through a Software-as-a-Service web application, Durango, Colo.
-- Husk Insulation: High-performance insulation from agricultural waste,
www.huskinsulation.com, Ann Arbor, Mich.
-- ImagiPLAY: Earth-friendly, ethically made, child safe toys,
www.imagiplay.com, Boulder, Colo.
-- New Sky Energy: Captures carbon dioxide from the air or flue gas
streams to manufacture consumer products and commodity chemicals that are
normally made by CO2-polluting industries, www.newskyenergy.com, Boulder,
Colo.
-- Rivertop Renewables: Progressive chemistry, providing competitively
priced, biodegradable alternatives to several widely used chemicals,
www.rivertop.com, Missoula, Mont.
-- SEED - Small Engines for Economic Development: Develops fuel efficient
and affordable irrigation pump sets for small landholder farmers in
developing countries, Fort Collins, Colo.
-- Sunflower: Designs and delivers active day-lighting and hybrid
lighting solutions to commercial buildings, www.sunflowerdaylighting.com,
Longmont, Colo.
-- SunTrac Solar: High temperature solar panels for solar thermal
systems, www.energisticsystems.us, Golden, Colo.

The semi-finalists will now go through a rigorous mentoring process
with local and national business leaders to prepare for the regional
finals in September, and the National Awards -- the "Academy Awards of
Clean Tech" -- in November. In addition, they will be invited to
participate in the Clean Tech Open Accelerator program, where they will
be given hands-on training and experience in all aspects of starting and
sustaining their businesses from national experts in venture capital,
business, law, marketing and sustainability.

About the Clean Tech Open

Clean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation, and the impetus
behind the Clean Tech Open's 100K Jobs Challenge. A non-profit
organization founded in 2006, it provides today's clean tech innovators
with the tools, training and connections they need to become tomorrow's
viable clean tech businesses. The core of the Clean Tech Open is an
annual business competition, supported by expert volunteers and mentors,
that provides entrepreneurs with the crucial business training, services
and insights they need to go to market successfully. The Clean Tech Open
has assisted over 120 companies to raise more than $125 million in
external funding, and has spurred the creation of hundreds of jobs in
California. Fueled by a network of over 400 volunteers and sponsors, the
Clean Tech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision
for making America's clean tech sector a thriving economic engine. Past
alumni successes include Adura Technologies, Cool Earth Solar and
GreenVolts. To learn more, visit: www.cleantechopen.com.

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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