The New Zealand Cleantech Challenge

Description

The New Zealand Cleantech Challenge, part of the Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition- the world's largest business competition, is now accepting entries from New Zealand's regions for 2011. The New Zealand Cleantech Challenge is looking for the best cleantech ideas, to take to the world.

Just for telling us your idea, you could win a prize package of services worth $100,000 to help you start a business to grow your idea!

Overview

The NZ Clean Tech Challenge (NZCTC) is an official activity promoted by Global Entrepreneurship Week – New Zealand (GEW-NZ) in 2011.This year the NZ winning idea will compete against the best in the world at the Clean Tech Open global  competition in San Francisco to an international audience of 2,500 clean technology experts, investors, and enthusiasts, and press from around the world. This global event happens on the 10^th of November, 2011.

The global winner will receive US$100,000 in marketing support, legal advising, conferencing services and more to help launch their business and will be in a prime position to attract venture capital and licensing agreements.

What is Clean Tech?

Cleantech has been described by Clean Edge, a clean-tech research firm, as "a diverse range of products, services, and processes that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and cut or eliminate emissions and wastes."The terms "cleantech" and "green tech" are often used interchangeably to describe products, services and practices that are environmentally friendly.

Entry criteria

Anyone looking to turn their clean technology idea into a thriving business can apply to enter. Entrants can be sole proprietors, teams, early-stage companies, or enterprising participants from the tertiary sector, backyard garage, or farm. To be eligible, your entity must have received less than US$500,000 in external private financing at the time of competition entry. Grant funding and any money from friends and family are excluded from this US$500,000 limit.

What are the categories?

Cleantech New Zealand receives award for best practice at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Shanghai in April 2011. Pictured are (from left) Rex Northen, ED Cleantech Open; Dhakshinamoorthy Valakrishnan, Cleantech award winner- Malaysia; Rob Acton, Chair of GEW-New Zealand; Kevin Braithwaite, Chair of Global Ideas CompetitionThere are six categories …

• Air, Water & Waste


• Energy Efficiency


• Green Building


• Renewables


• Smart Power


• Transportation

How do I enter?

1.       Go to The international Cleantech Open Global Ideas Competition website and register for a new User account
2. Once you are registered you will be taken to the entry page for the NZ competition.
2.       Choose one category for your entry …

• Air, Water & Waste


• Energy Efficiency


• Green Building


• Renewables


• Smart Power


• Transportation

3.       Complete the entry form by explaining the following …

• My idea is...


• My idea is useful because...


• My idea is better than the alternatives because...


• The major pain or problem solved by my idea is...


• The market for my idea is...

4.       Submit your entry.

Judging criteria

Regional and national winners are judged on the following criteria ...

• Idea Concept: Concisely and clearly explained


• Innovation: Breakthrough in thinking or design


• Business Viability: A significant and interesting market exists


• Sustainability: Positive impact on environment.

Competition

The NZCTC will run from 4 Sept until 10th November 2011.Regional hosts will provide a local face to the competition and help with PR and support to their regional champion. Local promotion for the competition is up to regional host.

GEW-NZ will judge the regional winners and decide on the national champion. The national winner’s idea will then be presented at the Global Clean Tech Open Ideas Competition in San Francisco on 10 November 2011.

New Zealand’s winning idea will be presented through a five-minute video pitch in front of a crowd of up to 2,500 investors, entrepreneurs, sponsoring companies, corporations, members of academia, press, and others interested in hearing ideas and getting involved.

The crowd will vote via text message for the "People's Choice" and you could win $100,000 in marketing support, legal advising, conferencing services and more to help launch your business!

The New Zealand and global winners are judged on the following criteria...

• • Idea Concept: Concisely and clearly explained


• • Innovation: Breakthrough in thinking or design


• • Business Viability: A significant and interesting market exists


• • Sustainability: Positive impact on environment.

Key dates

• 4^thSept  NZ Clean Tech Challenge opens


• 4^th October NZ Clean Tech Challenge closes


• 5^th October Regional winners will be notified via Clean Tech regional hosts


• 6^th October  New Zealand’s three best regional entries will be named and required to produce a 5 minute video clip of the entry


• 13^th October  Last date for top three regional winners to submit their 5 minute videos


• 14^th October  National winner announced


• 17^th October   National winners video forwarded to San Francisco


• 10^th November  New Zealand winners video  presented at the Global Clean Tech Open Ideas Competition in San Francisco. ( Ideas category)

National Judging Panel

The National Judging Panel will include nominees from Chevron, venture capitalists, green technology professionals, and business professionals