Cleantech Group and Facebook Announce Contest to Promote Clean Technology and Sustainability

SAN FRANCISCO – January 29, 2013 – Cleantech Group™, a global market intelligence firm helping executives connect with cleantech innovation, today announced the launch of the “Cleantech Goes Social” contest in partnership with Facebook.

The goal of the contest is to support the development of new ways to use Facebook to promote the use of clean energy and to help people reduce their environmental impact. Contestants will be asked to submit concept pitches for products, applications, or services that use Facebook to advance the adoption of renewable technologies, engage people on resource and energy issues, and promote environmental sustainability.

The winning submission will be awarded a $25,000 prize and receive personalized guidance from Cleantech Group and Facebook on further development of the concept. The winner will be chosen from three finalists at Cleantech Forum San Francisco 2013, which is being held March 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

“There’s no shortage of new, clean technology addressing the world’s increasingly critical energy and resource challenges,” said Sheeraz Haji, CEO of Cleantech Group. “However, engaging the public on these issues and bringing these technologies into people’s homes and businesses at scale have remained elusive goals. Facebook, which connects more than a billion people around the world, provides companies and individuals with an unparalleled opportunity to address this adoption challenge.”

Entries will be judged on their potential impact, innovation, feasibility, and usability. The three finalists will present their proposals at Cleantech Forum San Francisco 2013 to investors, including Greenstart, and Forum attendees will vote on their favorite concept. The winner will be announced during the closing keynote of Facebook’s sustainability guru, Bill Weihl, on March 20, the last day of the Forum.

“We are thrilled to partner with Cleantech Group on this contest,” stated Weihl. “This initiative is a great way to leverage the Facebook platform to motivate individuals, groups, and communities to participate, promote, and share around energy and resource issues. It should help to accelerate the adoption and impact of a wide range of sustainability-focused products and services.”

Please refer to the contest homepage for further details and submission instructions.

About Cleantech Group Inc.

Cleantech Group’s market intelligence, events, and advisory services accelerate market adoption, stimulate demand, and remove barriers to cleantech innovation. A global company with offices in North America and Europe, we connect business leaders with cleantech innovation through the i3 platform the most comprehensive up-to-date source for insights into companies, investors, financing and relationships across the clean technology ecosystem. In October 2012, Cleantech Group merged with GreenOrder, a leading sustainability strategy and management consulting firm.

CONTACT: