Winners of largest and longest-running US cleantech accelerator program announced at organization’s flagship event, the Global Forum; Active Surfaces confirmed as runner up; Strong by Form wins Global Ideas competition, with runner up Dromos.

Los Angeles, Calif. - Oct. 30, 2023 - Cleantech Open, the world's largest and longest-running clean technology accelerator, today announced the winner of its annual U.S. National Grand Prize: San Diego, Calif.-based Tyfast, won the public pitch competition held at the organization’s annual flagship event, the Global Forum, in San Jose, Calif. Tyfast was awarded a $50,000 SAFE note for their achievement.

One hundred companies participated in Cleantech Open's 12-week accelerator program, receiving mentorship, business training and contacts with investors and partners. Ninety-five teams participated in regional competitions across the US, with 18 finalists advancing to compete nationally at the Global Forum.

The top six finalists pitched their companies on October 25th, and Tyfast was crowned as the winner at the awards luncheon.

Tyfast uses a new combination of electrode materials and electrolyte chemistry to enable a high-energy density, ultrafast-charging battery with a long cycle life for the next-generation EVs and equipment.

“For 19 years, we have supported over 3,500 entrepreneurs through business training, mentoring, and networking. We congratulate Tyfast on their achievement and look forward to seeing the company succeed in revolutionizing battery technologies for heavy-duty vehicles,” said Ken Hayes, Executive Director, Cleantech Open. 

GJ la O', CEO of Tyfast, said, "Cleantech Open has been incredibly valuable to us regarding strategy development, customer exploration, and investor connections. Our mentors supported us in refining our approach, and the guidance and consultation we received from Cleantech Open’s ecosystem was unparalleled. With these resources, we are well equipped to succeed in commercializing a new class of high-performance batteries to obsolete diesel in heavy-duty vehicles."

The U.S. National Runner-up is Active Surfaces of Salem, MA. The company unlocks terawatts of dual-land-use solar applications through its patented, ultra-thin-film flexible solar technology. Active Surfaces also won the National People's Choice Award, which was voted for by the attendees of CTO’s Global Forum event. 

The National Finalists include:

- Active Surfaces

- Benchmark Labs, Inc.

- Build Smartr Robotics

- Cleonmaye Corp. 

- Solvari

- Tyfast

In the run-up to the Global Forum, Cleantech Open also held the 2023 Global Ideas Pitch Competition for international cleantech startups. Companies pitched their solutions for the chance to win cash prizes of up to $10,000. Nineteen semi-finalists pitched virtually on August 1, 2023, and the finalists were invited to present at the Global Forum. 

The finalists are:

- Winner AND People’s Choice winner: Strong by Form  (Chile). Strong by Form is a technology company combining the logic of composite materials with the natural intelligence of wood and advanced robotics to produce freeform, lightweight structural components.

- Runner-Up: DROMOS (Germany). Dromos provides a revolutionary urban mobility solution for passengers and freight using individual, autonomous, electrically powered vehicles for up to 4 passengers.

- Finalists: Muance (France), Optimal Greening (Nigeria), Pronoe (France), S1Seven (Austria), Solfium (Mexico/Canada) 

The Global Forum took place at VERGE 23, a leading climate tech conference. The event showcased solutions from current cohort companies and CTO alums in the VERGE startup pavilion. Attendees had the opportunity to join the Global Ideas and National Finals pitches and the CTO Awards Ceremony Luncheon.

Sarah Golden, VP, Energy and Interim Executive Director, VERGE, gave a welcome address opening the awards luncheon. 

This was followed by a panel of successful CTO alumni speakers moderated by Ken Hayes:

- Tanya Barham, Founder & CEO, Community Energy Labs

- Sicheng (Alex) Wang, Director, Corporate Finance, Princeton NuEnergy

- Derek Stein, Founder & CEO, Adept Materials

Finally, Cleantech Open welcomed keynote speaker Kat Janowicz, an internationally renowned author, strategist, speaker, board member and advisor with expertise in energy, transportation, technology, global trade and sustainability. Her keynote address highlighted how collaboration between industry, businesses, legislators and cleantech innovators can achieve drastic environmental impact, as seen in the example of the greater Los Angeles ports.

Find out more about the event on Cleantech Open’s Global Forum Event Site, including descriptions and links to all the companies of the cohort, as well as recordings of the event.

Cleantech Open would like to thank its sponsors for enabling the accelerator program and the Global Forum, notably Premiere National Sponsor Wells Fargo.