The Global Cleantech Cluster Association is pleased to announce its winners for the 2011 Later Stage Award. They were judged by 28 cleantech venture capitalists, investors and serial entrepreneurs who collectively manage $3.5 billion in clean technology investment, lead by Head Judge Dr. Peter Adriaens. In each category, these companies are making both broad strides in their global industries as well as working closely with their regional cleantech clusters to build sustainable green economies and jobs.
The GCCA Later Stage Award Top 10 winners were selected from an original pool of 4000 eligible companies represented by the GCCA’s 33 member clusters. Each cluster conducted internal evaluations to nominate up to 10 companies in the 10 categories. In total, these member clusters nominated 185 companies for the 2011 Later Stage Award. That number was later narrowed to the Global Top 30 semi-finalists and the Top 10 winners.
The Global Top 10 Later Stage Award Winners – 2011
Best in Biofuels – Imperative Energy
Dublin, Ireland (cluster: An sTli Ghlas – The Green Way)
With offices in Ireland and the UK, Imperative Energy Ltd (IEL) is a bioenergy project developer with 35 active installations. Partnering with best-in-class technology providers from across Europe, IEL is expanding rapidly in terms of turnover and profitability. Having completed one round of fundraising (€29m) in 2009, IEL is embarking on a further round of fundraising to accelerate growth in UK and Ireland and prepare for entry into the US market.
Best of Energy Efficiency/Green Buildings – Albeo Technologies
Boulder, CO (cluster: Colorado Cleantech IA)
Albeo Technologies is a leading manufacturer of white-LED lighting systems for general illumination. The company has grown 775% over three years. Albeo’s deployments include high-bay LED lighting for Apple’s iCloud data center and Caterpillar’s large engine manufacturing facility.
Best of New Materials – Beneq
Vantaa, Finland (cluster: Finnish Cleantech)
Beneq is a supplier of equipment and coating technology. Beneq develops applications and equipment for cleantech and renewable energy fields, especially in glass, solar and emerging thin film markets. Coating applications include optics, barriers and passivation layers, as well as energy generation and conservation. Beneq also offers complete coating services.
Best of Renewable Energy – OpenHydro
Dublin, Ireland (cluster: An sTli Ghlas – The Green Way)
An Irish tidal energy technology company, OpenHydro’s business is the design and manufacture of marine turbines for generating renewable energy from tidal streams. The company’s vision is to deploy arrays of tidal turbines under the world’s oceans, silently and invisibly generating electricity at no cost to the environment. OpenHydro has a project portfolio spanning the USA, Canada, France, Scotland and the UK’s Channel Islands with utility partners including EDF, Nova Scotia Power and SSE Renewables. For further information please visit .
Best of Solar – Solaris Energy Solutions
Chicago, Illinois USA (cluster: Chicago Clean Energy)
Solaris Energy Solutions provides reliable and advanced solar technology for water/space heating, ventilation systems and photovoltaic electricity generation. As a founding member of the ISEA (Irish Solar Energy Association) and associated members of the German Solar Association, SES see itself at the forefront of helping to make progress towards a sustainable future with the emphasis on renewable energy.
Best of Storage/Smart Grid – PowerGenix
San Diego, California USA (cluster: CleanTECH San Diego)
PowerGenix is the leading developer of Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) batteries, which boast significant advantages over other advanced batteries in energy and power density, cost, safety, toxicity and recyclability. NiZn batteries are an ideal solution for applications that demand large amounts of power in a small, lightweight and safe package, especially micro-hybrid (start/stop) vehicles.
Best of Transportation – SAM Group
Zurich, Switzerland, (cluster: swisscleantech)
The Swiss company developed, built and launched the electric vehicle Sam EV II. Over 120 vehicles at a net price of EUR 14’000 were sold in several European countries yet. As a forerunner, Sam has a long term strategy in the field of lightweight, energy efficient and affordable electric vehicles.
Best of Waste – Newalta
Brossard, Quebec (cluster: EcoTech Quebec)
Newalta is Canada’s leading industrial waste management and environmental services company. The company pushes beyond conventional thinking about waste, to find solutions that transform waste into new products that will contribute to a customer’s bottom line and reduce their environmental footprint. Where product recovery isn’t possible, Newalta find ways to reduce the production of waste at the source.
Best of Water – Rentricity
New York, New York USA (cluster: NYC Acre)
Rentricity recovers energy from excess water pressure in pipes to produce clean,renewable electricity. Rentricity targets water, wastewater and industrial infrastructure to integrate its Flow-to-Wire configurations. Electricity produced can either be sold into the electric grid or used behind-the-meter.
Best of Wind – Moventas
Jyväskylä, Finland (cluster: Finnish Cleantech)
Finnish Moventas is one of the largest manufacturers of wind turbine gears in the world. Moventas also provides extensive services for gear overhaul and maintenance. Moventas’ expertise is based on combining decades of experience with leading-edge technologies. The Moventas brand stands for reliability, responsiveness and assurance as a dependable partner.
