Clean Tech Open Transportation Winner Announced!
Friday, November 7th, 2008
Last night, the Academy Awards for environmentally sustainable, “clean tech” startups was held in San Francisco. It was a spectacular and inspiring event!
These entrepreneurs – contestants in the Clean Tech Open’s business plan contest - go through a very rigorous screening, mentoring, and judging process by leading academics; technologists; esteemed business executives and entrepreneurs - including leading ventures capitalists - and others. So, for a team to make it to the final found of judging, they have to show very strong potential to take their idea from the lab to the market place – and become strong businesses.
Of special mention is the winner of the Transportation Category – ElectraDrive - a startup company that promises to help existing vehicles go green - cheaply! The Transportation Prize Category is sponsored by Lexus, which had some of its hybrid vehicles on display at the event. You can read more about the winners and other finalists at the Clean Tech Open’s website - www.cacleantech.com. Meanwhile, here is more information on the Transportation Category Winner.
ElectraDrive – Winner!
http://www.electradrive.net
http://www.cleantechopen.com/app.cgi/teams/directory/view_team/1/243
Rapid, inexpensive adaptation of existing vehicles to electric drive
“ElectraDrive is a technology company in the emerging plug-in vehicle aftermarket. We will enable the rapid conversion of existing cars and light trucks to electric or extended-range electric drive. By doing so, we aim to open up the huge market of existing vehicles to electric conversion. Preliminary customers will be government fleets and a small but growing number of private consumers. Commercial fleet leasing companies will follow, building the benefits of ElectraDrive into the vehicle leases they offer. ElectraDrive’s CEO is Fraser Murison Smith, a utility specialist and veteran of several high-tech start-ups, with a PhD in mathematical biology from Oxford University. ElectraDrive’s CMO is Ray Jenks, who brings 20 years’ experience in marketing, sales and business development in high-tech and real estate. Jon Derickson is the company’s consulting engineer, with 15 years’ RD&D experience on hybrid-electric drivetrains for military applications.”
Congratulations! This is cool beyond belief! It puts wind in my sails, that’s for sure.