On March 1st, 2012 Clean Energy Trust will host the second annual Clean Energy Challenge: a first in class business competition for Midwestern cleantech innovators. Finalists will present to a panel of distinguished venture investors and industry experts to vie for $250,000 in cash prizes.

Eligibility is restricted to companies located in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Kentucky & Ohio. 

Applications will be due December 5, 2011

Applicants compete in either the Early Stage Business track or the Student Challenge. Grand prizes of $100,000 will be awarded in each track.

Winners of last year’s Early Stage competition have gone on to receive significant venture funding and are well on their way to becoming sustainable clean energy businesses. Student Challenge competitors will vie for an opportunity to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s first-ever national business competition for university students.