NREL Media Advisory:

NREL Growth Forum to Feature 30 Clean Energy Companies

Startup companies present business cases to finance experts

Monday, December 02, 2013

Thirty clean energy companies, including seven Colorado companies, will gather in Denver Dec. 3-4 to present their clean energy business cases to a panel of national venture capitalists and other experts from the clean energy finance community at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) annual Industry Growth Forum.

In addition to the business case presentations, a comprehensive agenda of speakers, in-depth panels and networking opportunities will address the most important topics in the industry today for the approximately 350 participants at this year's Forum. At the conclusion of the Forum, NREL will present recognition for the Best Venture Award and Outstanding Venture Awards. Award winners will receive in-kind commercialization support to help increase their chances of becoming commercially successful.

WHAT:  NREL Industry Growth Forum
WHO:  Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
WHEN:  Tues., Dec. 3 – Wed., Dec. 4
WHERE:  Grand Hyatt Denver Hotel, 1750 Welton St., Denver, CO 80202

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATIONS:

Tues., Dec. 3 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.	Opening Luncheon and Keynote Speaker	Keynote Address from Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner, Technology Partners
Wed., Dec. 4 8 to 9:15 a.m.	Panel Discussion – Needs and Challenges in Clean Energy Investing:  A Call to Action for Investors Across All Asset Classes	Panel Discussion featuring Scott Sarazen (Ernst & Young), Colleen Calhoun (GE Energy Ventures), Gerd Goette (Siemens Venture Capital), John McKenna (Hamilton Clark Sustainable Capital) and Tim Woodward (Elan Management)
Wed., Dec. 4 Noon to 1:30 p.m.	Luncheon Panel Discussion – Government Support of Clean Energy Innovation:  A Look at Emerging Technology Innovation Areas and Government Programs That Support Clean Energy Development	Panel Discussion featuring Dan Arvizu (NREL), Sharon Burke (U.S. Department of Defense), Ilan Gur (ARPA-E), Rick Brenner (Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership) and Michael Knotek (U.S. Department of Energy)
Wed., Dec. 4 5:15 to 7 p.m.	Awards Reception	NREL's presentation of Industry Growth Forum awards Best Venture Award Outstanding Venture Award (two presented)

Conference registration is required to attend the 25th NREL Industry Growth Forum. Complete registration details and the full agenda are available at www.industrygrowthforum.org. Media should RSVP to NREL Public Affairs at 303-275-4090 or email public.affairs@nrel.gov.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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