The semi-finalists were selected from a talented pool of 64 clean techentrepreneurs from the Rocky Mountain region, as well as teams from otherstates, including Arizona and Michigan. The semi-finalists will go on tocompete for three regional prizes of up to $50,000 in cash and in-kindservices, and one national prize of up to $250,000 in cash and services.

All told, the 2009 Clean Tech Open competition includes more than a $1million in total prizes and a "100K Jobs Challenge" to create 100,000 cleantech jobs in America over the next five years.

The 2009 Rocky Mountain semi-finalists include:

--  All Optronics: Cost-effective solar power using a unique optical    concentrator and optimized silicon solar cell, www.alloptronics.com,    Tucson, Ariz.--  Clean Coal Briquette Inc.: Clean coal briquettes made from coal waste    and biomass waste for use in coal power plants, Lakewood, Colo.--  CLEANtricity Power: Manufacturer of small wind turbines that can    generate power in a variety of locations and wind conditions, Broomfield,    Colo.--  Cool Energy: Developers of a clean energy generating system,    www.coolenergyinc.com, Boulder, Colo.--  EE-Low Cost Energy and Carbon Reduction: Low-cost energy and carbon    reduction through a Software-as-a-Service web application, Durango, Colo.--  Husk Insulation: High-performance insulation from agricultural waste,    www.huskinsulation.com, Ann Arbor, Mich.--  ImagiPLAY: Earth-friendly, ethically made, child safe toys,    www.imagiplay.com, Boulder, Colo.--  New Sky Energy: Captures carbon dioxide from the air or flue gas    streams to manufacture consumer products and commodity chemicals that are    normally made by CO2-polluting industries, www.newskyenergy.com, Boulder,    Colo.--  Rivertop Renewables: Progressive chemistry, providing competitively    priced, biodegradable alternatives to several widely used chemicals,    www.rivertop.com, Missoula, Mont.--  SEED - Small Engines for Economic Development: Develops fuel efficient    and affordable irrigation pump sets for small landholder farmers in    developing countries, Fort Collins, Colo.--  Sunflower: Designs and delivers active day-lighting and hybrid    lighting solutions to commercial buildings, www.sunflowerdaylighting.com,    Longmont, Colo.--  SunTrac Solar: High temperature solar panels for solar thermal    systems, www.energisticsystems.us, Golden, Colo.    

The semi-finalists will now go through a rigorous mentoring process withlocal and national business leaders to prepare for the regional finals inSeptember, and the National Awards -- the "Academy Awards of Clean Tech" --in November. In addition, they will be invited to participate in the CleanTech Open Accelerator program, where they will be given hands-on trainingand experience in all aspects of starting and sustaining their businessesfrom national experts in venture capital, business, law, marketing andsustainability.

About the Clean Tech Open

Clean Tech Open is a catalyst for clean tech innovation, and the impetusbehind the Clean Tech Open's 100K Jobs Challenge. A non-profit organizationfounded in 2006, it provides today's clean tech innovators with the tools,training and connections they need to become tomorrow's viable clean techbusinesses. The core of the Clean Tech Open is an annual businesscompetition, supported by expert volunteers and mentors, that providesentrepreneurs with the crucial business training, services and insightsthey need to go to market successfully. The Clean Tech Open has assistedover 120 companies to raise more than $125 million in external funding, andhas spurred the creation of hundreds of jobs in California. Fueled by anetwork of over 400 volunteers and sponsors, the Clean Tech Open unites thepublic and private sectors in a shared vision for making America's cleantech sector a thriving economic engine. Past alumni successes include AduraTechnologies, Cool Earth Solar and GreenVolts. To learn more, visit:www.cleantechopen.com.

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