Clean Energy Venture Challenge
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute has renewed its commitment to engaging students in energy innovation by co-sponsoring the 2011-12 Clean Energy Venture Challenge, organized through the University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
The Clean Energy Venture Challenge is a six-month program that enables teams of students from colleges and universities in Michigan to go from an idea to venture launch. Teams will not only present their ideas, they will put them into practice. They will be given training and paired with mentors who will help them move their company forward. They will learn the skills needed to start a successful company, both through classroom learning and trial and error.
Participating teams will learn cutting-edge entrepreneurial skills such as customer discovery and business model canvas development. They will meet regularly with mentors and venture capitalists and have access to a micro grant program offering up to $5,000 in grants for each team to move their business forward.
On the final day of the venture challenge, all participating teams will present their results during a full day event that will showcase clean energy innovation and entrepreneurship. All participating teams will receive recognition for their accomplishments and a few teams will also be awarded additional prizes and potential investments totaling $100,000 or more.
Registration closes Sept. 28.