Two local student-led teams, NanoHarv Technologies and Amplified Wind solutions, have made it to the semifinals of the Clean Energy Trust’s Clean Energy Challenge.

NanoHarv Technologies, a group of graduate students in CWRU’s Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP), investigates new techniques that could potentially deliver cost efficient methods for the production of algae biofuels and other valuable by-products.

Amplified Wind Solutions is a group of CSU students and professors who have developed a wind speed amplification system that, when installed on a cylindrical structure such as a silo or water tower, can provide three times the electricity production of a typical wind turbine in low or marginal wind areas.

“The quality of the applications was fantastic,” says Amy Francetic, executive director of the Clean Energy Trust. “We had over 100 applications.” Only 16 teams were chosen to move on to the finals and present their business plans in Chicago on February 29 and March 1.

“This is a great opportunity for us to gain insight into the challenges of business plan development and new venture creation,” says Justin Isaacs, co-founder of NanoHarv. The winners in Chicago will go on to the national competition in Washington, DC, this summer to compete for $150,000.

While Niki Zmij, CEO of Amplified Wind Solutions, would like the prize money to help bring her company to commercialization, she is also happy in the lessons she’s learning.

“Whether we win or not this competition has been an incredible lesson in entrepreneurship,” says Zmij. “I’m a firm believer that we all learn best by doing -- and this process has allowed me to gain a very clear picture of what it takes to develop a new technology, start up a company, and put forth the dedication and hard work that it takes to make it successful.”

Source: Amy Francetic, Justin Isaacs, Niki Zmij
Writer: Karin Connelly