C2E2 Hosts First Workshop Examining Cleantech Education and Support

On July 31, Carnegie Mellon's Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation and Northwestern University's Institute for Sustainability and Energy hosted its first of two workshops on Emerging Best Practices for Educating the Next Generation of Cleantech Innovators and Entrepreneurs, a gathering of leaders and cleantech experts from university energy centers, incubators, energy companies and foundations, who discussed issues related to cleantech education and innovator support.

The inaugural workshop was organized by the new Center for Cleantech Entrepreneurial Excellence (C2E2) funded by the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²), which is supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

During the workshop, participants discussed how cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship is similar and different from other technology sectors, and how this influences what and how emerging innovators and entrepreneurs should be taught. They also examined opportunities and challenges budding entrepreneurs face due to the different requirements from funders and users of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship.

For example, in the case of cleantech products that must be manufactured, participants identified the need for funders who are patient investors, which are organizations or individuals who are willing to wait longer for a return on their investment than is typically the case for software. 

In the afternoon, attendees participated in brief 15-minute conversations that focused on: 1) how cleantech policy and financial support differs among U.S. regions, and the indicators and implications of these differences; and 2) the impact of cleantech/energy innovation on societal outcomes, and how to best measure this and its outcomes.

The next workshop, which will focus on the same questions, will take place Aug. 29 at Northwestern University's Chicago campus. Contact C2E2 Co-Director Jeff Henderson if you are interested in participating in the workshop.

Look for a resulting primer and accompanying video in the coming months that will include results from the workshops, which can be used for cleantech-specific entrepreneurial education.