Industry-leading analysis recognizes top private companies in clean technology

WASHINGTON, D.C.–October 6, 2014 – Cleantech Group, whose mission is to connect corporates to sustainable innovation through the i3 market intelligence platform, expert advisory services, and global events, today released the sixth annual Global Cleantech 100 list and report. The list recognizes the 100 most promising and innovative companies most likely to make a significant market impact over the next five to ten years across 17 sectors, including Energy Efficiency, Biofuels & Biochemicals, Smart Grid, Transportation, and Water & Wastewater. In addition to the list, a full report with commentary and insight into the 2014 Global Cleantech 100 was also released today—authored by Cleantech Group, powered by data from i3, and sponsored by Chubb. A complete list of this year’s Cleantech 100 companies and the accompanying report are available to download, for free, at: http://ctgillc.wpengine.com/indexes/global-cleantech-100/2014-global-cleantech-100.

“The Global Cleantech 100 represents the most inspiring array of entrepreneurs across the cleantech space that are at the forefront of innovation,” said Sheeraz Haji, Cleantech Group’s CEO. “It is a true honor to gather with the global cleantech community every year to recognize and celebrate the achievements of each of the top 100 companies as they continue to solve tomorrow’s energy and resource challenges and redefine sustainable innovation.”

To qualify for the Global Cleantech 100, companies must be independent, for-profit, cleantech companies not listed on any major stock exchange. This year, a record number of nominations were received: 5,995 distinct companies from 60countries.These companies were weighted and scored to create a short list of 327 companies. Short-listed nominees were reviewed by Cleantech Group’s Expert Panel, resulting in a final list of 100 companies from 17 countries.

“It is always interesting for us to participate in the Global Cleantech 100 expert panel and to compare our thinking to that of the other expert panel members,” said Konrad Augustin, Principal, E.ON. “The Global Cleantech 100 provides insight into how the players in the market are viewing existing and new trends and about who are the leading clean technology companies. We see our investment activity confirmed by the results and especially through the award as Corporate Investor of the Year.”

The 84-member expert panel was drawn equally from leading financial investors and representatives of multi-national corporations and industrials active in technology and innovation scouting across Asia, Europe, and North America. The composition of the expert panel broadly represents the global cleantech community, from pioneers and leaders to veterans and new entrants. The diversity of panelists results in a list of companies that command an expansive base of respect and support from many important players within the global cleantech innovation ecosystem. The complete list of Global Cleantech 100 expert panel members is available at http://ctgillc.wpengine.com/indexes/global-cleantech-100/2014-panelists.

“The Global Cleantech 100 each year provides us with invaluable insight into which companies key market players think are  most likely to have a significant impact in the next 5-10 years,” said Richard Youngman, Cleantech Group’s Managing Director, Europe & Asia and creator of the program. “How the composition of the Global Cleantech 100 list changes over time is revealing of key megatrends and hot sub-sectors – and helps us all get a view on the future.”

In addition to unveiling the list, Cleantech Group presented a series of awards across 11 categories during the Global Cleantech 100 Gala held on October 6 in Washington, DC at 1776, a global hub for start-ups.

“We’re honored to be listed as one of the Global Cleantech 100 companies, and to be named North American Company of the Year,” said Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech.  “Cleantech is the new industrial revolution as the innovations and technologies developed today will change how we source and supply energy. Cleantech matters because it has the power to change the world for the better.   Thanks to Cleantech Group for hosting this annual event, which convenes an amazing community of innovators, committed to revolutionizing the way the world thinks about clean technology. It is inspiring to be part of this dynamic group of entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to address our current energy, climate and environmental challenges.”

The complete list of Awardees is listed below.

Company of the Year was awarded in each of three regions to the highest-ranked company from that region:

• North America: LanzaTech, developer of a carbon capture and reuse technology that transforms abundant waste and low-cost resources into low carbon fuels and chemicals
• Europe & Israel: Avantium, developer of a process to convert biomass into bio-based materials and fuels
• Asia Pacific: LP Amina, provider of products and services that improve the efficiency and reduce emissions of power plants

Other categories:

• Rising Star of the Year, given to the highest-ranked new entrant on this year’s list: Liquid Light, developer and licensor of process technologies to convert carbon dioxide into high-value major chemicals
• Continued Excellence, given to the highest-ranked of the companies that have made it onto the Global Cleantech 100 list for at least the last three consecutive years: Genomatica, developer of green chemicals from renewable feedstocks such as sugar and garbage
• Early Stage Company of the Year, given to the highest-ranked product development stage company: Aquion Energy, developer of batteries based on ambient-temperature sodium-ion technology
• Industrial Innovation Company of the Year, given to the highest-ranked company with the most impact on industrial energy efficiency:Autogrid Systems, provider of software and cloud-based services for utilities, grid operators, and end users (This award is sponsored by ABB Technology Ventures)
• Future Mobility Company of the Year, given to the highest-ranked company representing the fast changing dynamics around mobility:Chargepoint, provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions(This award is sponsored by Holland & Knight)
• Graduate of the Year, given to the company with the most impressive exit (as rated, by the financial investors in the expert panel) of a Global Cleantech 100 alumnus company (i.e. that has at one time been on the Global Cleantech 100 list). The exit must have happened in the 12 months prior to the cut-off date (in 2014, the cut-off date was July 31): Nest

Awards were also given in two investor categories:

• Corporate Investor of the Year, given to the corporate investor with the largest percentage of its cleantech venture portfolio in the 2014 Global Cleantech 100 (with a minimum of three on the list, and a minimum of eight qualifying portfolio companies overall): E.ON
• Financial Investor of the Year, given to the financial investor with the largest percentage of its cleantech venture portfolio in the 2014 Global Cleantech 100 (with a minimum of four on the list, and a minimum of 10 qualifying portfolio companies overall): Claremont Creek Ventures

 

2014 Global Cleantech 100 Quick Facts:

• 17 countries are represented in the 2014 list. The United States is the most highly represented country with 62 companies.
• Energy Efficiency remains the hottest and growing sector within cleantech, with 24 companies on the list. 16 other sectors were also represented, showing a diversity of interests and a continued focus on water & wastewater, advanced materials and other areas of sustainable innovation.
• There were more solar companies in 2014 (9) compared to 2013 (6), suggesting a renaissance of new business models that will continue to help raise deployment figures.
• The 2014 report featured six mega themes of the Global Cleantech 100:

• 1. The growth of consumer-centric business model.
  2. The focus on emerging market demand and the next go-to markets.
  3. The intensification of cleantech going inside the Oil & Gas industry.
  4. The trend towards downstream solar and decentralized energy services.
  5. The transformation from waste to wealth: the recovery of a trillion dollar market.
  6. The rise of big data solutions providers for Utilities.

• Corporations continue to be ever more active in global cleantech innovation as investors, partners, licensees, customers, and acquirers of Global Cleantech 100 companies. GE is the most active overall partner among 2014 Global Cleantech 100 companies, followed by Siemens, Google, BP and E.ON.
• Over 400 investing entities, from 26 different countries, have a shareholding in the 100 companies. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is the most prolific shareholder of 2014 Global Cleantech 100 companies. They have invested in 15 companies on the 2014 list.

 

About Cleantech Group

Founded in 2002, Cleantech Group’s mission is to accelerate sustainable innovation. Core to this mission is i3, an online platform that connects corporates with innovation, at scale, by allowing them to find, vet, and connect with start-ups—efficiently building an innovation pipeline. In conjunction with i3, we offer premium Advisory Services for corporates in need of expertise designing and executing strategies for sustainable innovation, and managing the pipeline created in i3. The i3 platform comes to life at our global Events, which convene corporates and start-ups, along with other players shaping the future of sustainable innovation.

Cleantech Group is headquartered in San Francisco, and has offices in London and New York.

For more information, visit:www.cleantech.com

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Yvette Shirinian

Cleantech Group

Tel: +1 (415) 233-9712

Email: yvette.shirinian@cleantech.com