CLEANTECH TO SPACETECH EVENT SET TO UNVEIL EXCITING NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVORS Learn More About Florida’s Newest Technology Entrepreneurship Initiatives

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Grant
Tel: 407/882-0345
Email: ian. grant @ ucf. edu

CleanTech to SpaceTech eVENT Set to Unveil Exciting New Technologies and Entrepreneurial Endeavors
Learn More About Florida’s Newest Technology Entrepreneurship Initiatives

ORLANDO, FL – May 25, 2012 – Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network (FL-CAN), Igniting Innovation (I2) Capital Acceleration Network, and MegaWatt Ventures proudly present Cleantech to Spacetech: Accelerating Florida Entrepreneurship, a two-day special event designed to encourage partnerships between entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturing partners, industry veterans, and students.  Participants will be introduced to the latest cleantech initiatives, programs and entrepreneurial endeavors, and $200,000 in grant money will be awarded to promising startup entrepreneurs.

“This is the first multi-showcase event of its kind in the state of Florida,” explains Thomas O’Neal, associate vice president for research and commercialization at UCF, and the principal investigator on the FL-CAN project. “Clean technologies, Life Sciences, and Space related technologies are very important sectors to Florida’s economic future. We feel it is imperative to not only unveil what new initiatives are on the horizon, but offer participants an opportunity to connect with one another and explore partnership opportunities that can create opportunities for the cleantech industry as a whole.”

Cleantech to Spacetech will take place September 20-21 at The Florida Hotel in Orlando.  Early bird tickets may be purchased for only $40 by August 31st by visiting www.cleantechtospacetech.com/registration.  Space is limited. “This is a ‘must-attend’ event for anyone who has an interest in the future of clean technologies and technology entrepreneurship in Florida.” says O’Neal.

The FL-CAN Showcase / exhibit hall will be open for the 2 days of the event.  Exhibits will include exciting displays from cleantech startup companies, intellectual property and cleantech inventions, as well as the finalists and winners of the I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase and the MegaWatt Ventures competitions.

The I2 Capital Acceleration Showcase will feature business presentations from 10 growth-oriented and venture-ready technology companies competing for a $100,000 prize sponsored by Space Florida. Other I2 participants will display their business ventures in the Exhibit Hall.  Applications must be submitted online at www.i2florida.com/how-to-apply by June 1, 2012.

In addition, MegaWatt Ventures will be awarding an additional $100K grant to one of ten finalists already selected to present a prototype and business plan to judges comprised of venture capitalists, industry veterans, and technical experts.  These finalist companies will receive seed funding and mentorship in the six months leading up to the Cleantech to Spacetech showcase.

Several levels of sponsorships are available for companies and organizations, interested in supporting the Showcase.  For more information on sponsorships, email Fran Korosec at Fran.Korosec@ucf.edu.  The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is leading the way as a Platinum sponsor.

For more information about the Cleantech to Spacetech conference, or to register, please visit www.cleantech-to-spacetech.com.

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About Cleantech to Spacetech Event: The Cleantech to Spacetech event is a two-day showcase event featuring MegaWatt Ventures, I2 Capital Acceleration Program and the Florida Cleantech Acceleration Network.  The event will feature exciting new Cleantech initiatives, programs, and entrepreneurial endeavors while offering the potential for networking with cleantech individuals and companies.  Additional information is available at www.cleantech-to-spacetech.com.

About FL-CAN: FL-CAN program links Florida-based universities, incubation networks, investors and industry resources together to create a network of Proof of Concept centers to accelerate the creation and commercialization of innovative clean technology research into new technology companies or to license into existing firms.  FL-CAN is administered via a partnership between the University of Central Florida, The Technological Research and Development Authority, and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.

About MegaWatt Ventures: MegaWatt Ventures is an annual clean energy business plan competition that is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy in conjunction with Florida’s universities. The competition has an over-riding mission of encouraging the commercialization of innovative energy-related technologies from the lab bench into the marketplace.  Students, entrepreneurs and faculty are all invited to participate in this exciting program.  Selected companies receive seed funding, mentorship and other resources while building a prototype and creating a business plan.  Each year ten companies will compete for $100,000 in a technology showcase event.

About Igniting Innovation Capital Acceleration Network: Florida’s I2 Capital Acceleration Network was launched in early 2011 to provide promising technology companies in Florida accelerated access to industry and capital.  Since launching the I2 program, over 150 companies have participated, with 34 companies selected to participate in the I2 Showcase.  I2 has quickly grown into a “front door” for growth-based technology companies to identify and access the rich array of technology entrepreneurship resources, industry partners, and investors that are located throughout Florida.  Our cornerstone partners are the TRDA Business Innovation Center, Startup America, and Space Florida.

This article and all content within was prepared by The University of Central Florida in partnership with the Technological Research and Development Authority and Florida's Energy Systems Consortium under award #04-79-06583 from Economic Development Administration, and U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.