The Energy Department today announced the opening of the application periods for six regional competitions that are part of the 2014 U.S. Department of Energy National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition. The competition aims to inspires university teams and promote entrepreneurship in clean energy technologies that will boost American competitiveness, bring cutting-edge clean energy solutions to the market, and strengthen our economic prosperity.

The National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition challenges university teams from across the country to create new businesses and commercialize promising energy technologies developed at U.S. universities and the national laboratories. Finalists from the regional contests announced today will be invited to compete in the third annual national competition this spring in Washington, D.C. At the national competition, finalists will compete for cash prizes as well as unique technical, design, public relations, and legal assistance to help commercialize their technology.

The six regional competitions announced today include:  

The National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition, now in its third year, is part of the Obama Administration's Startup America initiative to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. Participants in the first two years of the competition have raised almost $19 million in follow-on funding, launched 55 startups, and created more than 89 full-time jobs.

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Learn more about how the Energy Department is fostering innovation and business creation through the National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition.