BOSTON - Cleantech Open Northeast (CTONE) last week issued its 2020 impact report detailing the program’s efforts to advance the success of its diverse cohort of startups this year, NECEC announced today.

“Cleantech Open Northeast is a pillar of the Northeast’s cleantech innovation ecosystem and we are proud of all the program accomplished in 2020 despite many challenges this year,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “We congratulate the 2020 cohort of startups and the CTONE team on another successful program, and look forward to supporting a new cohort of innovators and pioneers in 2021 as together we work towards a more sustainable, just clean economy.”

“Each year, CTONE welcomes a diverse cohort of startups from across the Northeast that are taking on our world’s biggest environmental and energy challenges,” said Cleantech Open Northeast Director Beth Zonis. “In 2020, we were able to pivot quickly during the pandemic to continue our vibrant programming, education, and mentorship, and we are thrilled to support each of these startups in their work to accelerate climate change action and the clean energy transition.”

In 2020, CTONE welcomed its largest cohort ever with 47 startups matched with nearly 175 mentors, and responded quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic by transitioning to fully virtual programming in March. CTONE held its Regional Finals in early October, where judges heard pitches and presentations from the cohort and selected four regional winners to each receive a $10,000 cash prize, Andluca Technologies, Polycarbin, RenewCO2 and T-Omega Wind. One regional winner, Polycarbin, and a regional finalist, CLIP, were recognized as National Finalists at the Cleantech Open Global Forum in late October.

“Massachusetts has aggressive plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change," said MassCEC CEO Steve Pike. "To do so quickly and cost-effectively, we need to develop new technologies and new ways of doing business. Cleantech Open Northeast supports these next-generation companies and is a critical component of the innovation ecosystem that will help deliver our clean energy future.”

“Ramping-up innovation in partnership with Cleantech Open Northeast showcases the low-carbon technologies of tomorrow that will help New Yorkers join our efforts to achieve Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading climate and clean energy goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act,” said Doreen M. Harris, Acting President and CEO, NYSERDA. “This program provides the support startups need to launch and scale products to market – helping overcome traditional barriers and growing a new market of entrepreneurs and partners in our push for cleaner communities and economy wide carbon neutrality.”

The 2020 cohort of Northeast startups focused on developing technology solutions related to energy distribution and storage, energy efficiency, chemicals and advanced materials, agriculture, energy generation, waste, information and communications technology, water, and transportation. This year, CTONE organized 45 events attended by more than 2,200 people that included a special webinar on impact investing, a consultation to measure each startup’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts, and other educational webinars. In total, CTONE connected the cohort with more than $350,000 in cash prizes and in-kind offers.

Also in 2020, two Northeast mentors were recognized by Cleantech Open for their vital contributions to the program. Trish Fleming, Director of Marketing at North Shore InnoVentures in Beverly, Massachusetts, was named Cleantech Open National Volunteer of the Year and received the Northeast Lifetime Service Award. Additionally, Roland Scott, an energy and management consultant and entrepreneur-in-residence at NYSERDA in New York, was recognized as both National and Northeast Mentor of the Year.

This year, CTONE also analyzed and documented the impact of the program since it launched in 2005, and found that 68 percent of its startups are still in business and employ more than 3,300 people. CTONE's startups are increasingly diverse, with the majority of the 2020 cohort led by women, women of color, or people of color. The analysis also found that CTONE startups have generated nearly $280 million in revenue and raised more than $650 million in funds. CTONE will begin its recruitment process for the 2021 cohort in January 2021. To find out more, visit www.cleantechopen.org.

Cleantech Open Northeast is supported by National Sponsor Wells Fargo, and Regional Premier Sponsors MassCEC and NYSERDA.

About Cleantech Open

Cleantech Open Northeast is part of the global Cleantech Open accelerator and is managed by NECEC as the on-the-ground affiliate. Cleantech Open is the world’s oldest and largest cleantech accelerator and is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and technologists the resources needed to launch a successful cleantech company. Its mission is to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies. Over the past eight years, Cleantech Open has awarded more than $5 million in cash and services. During that time, its 1600 alumni companies raised more than $1.2 billion in external funding. Fueled by a network of more than 2,000 volunteers, Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America’s cleantech sector a thriving economic engine. For more information, visit cleantechopen.org or follow on Twitter.

About NECEC

NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale, and succeed with our unique business, innovation, and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council, a nonprofit business member organization, and NECEC Institute, a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and strategic communications. NECEC’s innovation program includes Cleantech Open Northeast, the Northeast affiliate of the national cleantech accelerator Cleantech Open, and Cleantech Navigate, which provides cleantech startups with curated connections to mentors, test sites, customers, corporate partners, and investors. NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.

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