The Canadian Consulate in New York (“the Consulate”) is partnering with Cleantech Open Northeast to support Canadian cleantech startups, helping them raise funding and gain market traction in the US. This partnership furthers the shared objective of both the Consulate and Cleantech Open Northeast: to grow the green economy through innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Our partnership with Canada will give us more visibility internationally and enable our startups on both sides of the border to be more successful," said Beth Zonis, Northeast Regional Director, Cleantech Open. "We are thrilled to have the Canadian Consulate as a partner. The Canadian teams are very strong, and we look forward to working with them on their entrepreneurship journey."

"Our program was founded with the goal of promoting cross border collaboration and growing the cleantech economy," said Ian Philp, Head of Energy and Environment at the Canadian Consulate in New York. “This partnership with Cleantech Open Northeast will allow us to rapidly grow our operations while working with a recognized leader in the US cleantech ecosystem.”

Through their participation in the Cleantech Open accelerator, Canadian startups will have access to the US market and key players in the energy and sustainability ecosystem. They will receive valuable mentorship from experts in the field, complete deliverables that will serve to grow their ventures, and compete for prizes both regionally and nationally (in the US). Founded in 2005, Cleantech Open has produced almost 400 alumni in the Northeast and 1,200 across the US. These companies have gone on to raise $1.2 billion in capital and create over 3,000 clean economy jobs.

Nine Canadian cleantech startups – in areas such as energy generation, energy efficiency, green building, transportation, information and communications technology, and chemicals and advanced materials – were selected to participate in the Cleantech Open accelerator in the Northeast. Two more Canadian startups will participate in the West. These startups will learn entrepreneurship skills alongside other cleantech startups, while they will also build their professional networks.

About Cleantech Open

Cleantech Open is the world’s oldest and largest cleantech accelerator and business plan competition. It is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and technologists the resources needed to launch a successful cleantech company. Our 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 over $5 million in cash and services. During that time, our 1200 alumni companies have 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 us at cleantechopen.org and follow us on Twitter. NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council & NECEC Institute) is the Northeast affiliate of Cleantech Open.