Louisiana Company Takes Top Prize at South Central Cleantech Open Regional Finals
The Cleantech Open is a global accelerator and networking program works with technology companies focused on sustainability, energy and the environment. The ultimate goal is to have a global startup network in which mentoring, raising capital and networking can cross continents.
As one of the largest cleantech accelerators in the world, the Cleantech Open hosts startup pitch events in many of their hubs. Most recently, eight companies were selected to pitch in Houston at the fourth annual South Central Cleantech Open Regional Finals, each chosen to demonstrate how their business will solve critical natural resource problems. Organizers said the startups span a range of business types, including: fracking pollution, renewable energy and efficiency, logistics, water conservation, green building, advanced materials, and information technology.
Tyler Ortego from ORA Estuaries, a New Orleans-based firm that provides engineering, scientific and regulatory consulting services in addition to turnkey project implementation, pitched second to last. The company not only won the South Central Finals, taking home $10,000, but also the sustainability award valued at $5,000 from the Houston event. ORA will go on to compete at the global forum to present to thousands for the top Cleantech Open prize.
ORA Estuaries says they are driving the state of practice in estuary sustainability by creating an environment where great people are empowered to do great things. .”We believe that our estuaries can and must remain sustainable resources. Our mission is to build and maintain the ecological infrastructure that allows our estuaries to remain abundant and productive in conjunction with ever increasing human presence.”
ADVANO, a nanotechnology company also from New Orleans, was one of the finalists as well. The other companies included RHS from Arkansas, and five from Texas: V-Chain Solutions, SE Rising, JSA Energy, Detonation Dynamics, and RHS.
Graffagnini, L.C. founder Mark Graffagnini is the director of the Louisiana CTO chapter. He said the organization is currently seeking applicants for next year, particularly in energy services, oil/gas and water, companies that are addressing key needs in our strongest industries.
The Cleantech Open welcomes a range of companies. Through their definition of clean technology, the organization says they will accept applications from company categories including: air, water and waste, energy efficiency, green building, renewable energy, smart power, green grid, and energy storage, and transportation.
They are also looking for sponsors. “Aside from a couple of pitch contests, Louisiana has not historically had an organized accelerator network locally. 2014 marks the first year that there has been any coordinated effort in the state to create a network of mentors specifically focused on clean technology and the results have been dramatic. The Cleantech Open gives local companies a statewide and national network of mentors, rigorous exercises to help the business improve and access to some of the top investors in the world,” explains Graffagnini. “Although some people may associate cleantech with green tech, the reality is that Chevron is a national sponsor and Shell Oil hosted the event and had the director of Shell Technology Ventures attend to scout interesting companies for investment.”
The Cleantech Open is a global accelerator and networking program works with technology companies focused on sustainability, energy and the environment. The ultimate goal is to have a global startup network in which mentoring, raising capital and networking can cross continents.
As one of the largest cleantech accelerators in the world, the Cleantech Open hosts startup pitch events in many of their hubs. Most recently, eight companies were selected to pitch in Houston at the fourth annual South Central Cleantech Open Regional Finals, each chosen to demonstrate how their business will solve critical natural resource problems. Organizers said the startups span a range of business types, including: fracking pollution, renewable energy and efficiency, logistics, water conservation, green building, advanced materials, and information technology.
Tyler Ortego from ORA Estuaries, a New Orleans-based firm that provides engineering, scientific and regulatory consulting services in addition to turnkey project implementation, pitched second to last. The company not only won the South Central Finals, taking home $10,000, but also the sustainability award valued at $5,000 from the Houston event. ORA will go on to compete at the global forum to present to thousands for the top Cleantech Open prize.
ORA Estuaries says they are driving the state of practice in estuary sustainability by creating an environment where great people are empowered to do great things. .”We believe that our estuaries can and must remain sustainable resources. Our mission is to build and maintain the ecological infrastructure that allows our estuaries to remain abundant and productive in conjunction with ever increasing human presence.”
ADVANO, a nanotechnology company also from New Orleans, was one of the finalists as well. The other companies included RHS from Arkansas, and five from Texas: V-Chain Solutions, SE Rising, JSA Energy, Detonation Dynamics, and RHS.
Graffagnini, L.C. founder Mark Graffagnini is the director of the Louisiana CTO chapter. He said the organization is currently seeking applicants for next year, particularly in energy services, oil/gas and water, companies that are addressing key needs in our strongest industries.
The Cleantech Open welcomes a range of companies. Through their definition of clean technology, the organization says they will accept applications from company categories including: air, water and waste, energy efficiency, green building, renewable energy, smart power, green grid, and energy storage, and transportation.
They are also looking for sponsors. “Aside from a couple of pitch contests, Louisiana has not historically had an organized accelerator network locally. 2014 marks the first year that there has been any coordinated effort in the state to create a network of mentors specifically focused on clean technology and the results have been dramatic. The Cleantech Open gives local companies a statewide and national network of mentors, rigorous exercises to help the business improve and access to some of the top investors in the world,” explains Graffagnini. “Although some people may associate cleantech with green tech, the reality is that Chevron is a national sponsor and Shell Oil hosted the event and had the director of Shell Technology Ventures attend to scout interesting companies for investment.”
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