News Release: NREL Industry Growth Forum Attracts Clean Energy Entrepreneurs and Investors
Thirty clean energy companies will present their business cases to a panel of investors and industry experts Oct. 28 and 29 in Denver, as the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosts its annual Industry Growth Forum.
The 30 emerging clean energy startup companies were selected through an application and review process and will compete for the 2014 NREL Clean Energy Venture Awards. For more than 20 years, NREL’s Industry Growth Forum has been the nation’s premier clean energy investment gathering. NREL’s unique approach and interactive format make the forum a must-attend event for the clean energy business and investment community. Since 2003, presenting companies have raised more than $5 billion in investment.
In addition to the business case presentations, NREL’s two-day forum will offer an array of organized networking opportunities and will present a program that highlights clean energy technology and business developments with a comprehensive agenda featuring thought leaders who will address the most important topics in the industry today.
“The Industry Growth Forum plays a critical role by creating opportunities that connect the key players in the clean energy business community,” said Kate Cheesbrough of NREL’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, which organizes the event. “We are bringing entrepreneurs directly together with financiers, policymakers and technology experts. By doing this, we lay the foundation for the future conversations, partnerships and eventual business decisions that will strengthen the industry as a whole.”
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.