25 promising cleantech companies have now presented their business and innovation cases at Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day 2009

Image: Oliva Lum, Hyflux Int.

Pressrelease 2009-09-29

Today the 29:th of September Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day 2009 is taking place at Kistamässan in Stockholm. Here about 50 leading cleantech investors meet 25 of the most innovative cleantech entrepreneurs from all the Nordic countries.

"The great interest from foreign investors proves yet again that Stockholm is a leading cleantech region. The companies present are some of the most innovative within the field and means a lot for competitiveness of Stockholm.",
says Olle Zetterberg, CEO Stockholm Business Region.

During the morning the 25 carefully selected cleantech companies made their pitches in front of an audience of international investors as well as decision makers. Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day 2009 is an event known for its success in bringing results when it comes to actual investments in new cleantech companies. The rest of the day will present opportunities for close encounters between the investors and the cleantech entrepreneurs.

Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day is one out of 17 events awarded with official status in association with the Swedish EU presidency, where the main theme is climate and energy. Keynote speaker Mr. Ola Alterå, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, started of the day.

"Of course the cleantech industry is important! Not only are you forerunners but also the start of the change in the whole technology sector. A change that will make all larger businesses to search for new business models. ", says Ola Alterå, "The obvious task for government is to reduce the political risks for businesses on the national level as well as on the European level."

Also as Keynote speaker Ms. Olivia Lum spoke about how she managed to turn a one women-company into one of the hottest firms in the Asian water market. Today Hyflux has 130 researchers and over 25 PhD:s among it´s 2000 employees and is on of the most fast-growing water-treatment companies in the world.

"First and most important: dream big! And then execute your dreams by working hard. Be prepared to go through rejection, customers criticism and all other things you do not expect.", said Olivia Lum, CEO of Hyflux. "Have passion, and make sure that everyone around you also benefits from your success. Looking back I have spent most of my time coaching people around me, convincing them of my ideas. I early realized that if I can create an opportunity for myself then I can also create it for others. "

The day will end with awarding one the 25 cleantech companies with the Cleantech Company of the Year Award and 100 000 Swedish crowns by a jury consisting of Tomas Nygren, Innovationsbron, Christopher Vargas, Cleantech Circle, Hans Enocson, General Electric and Malin Nordgren, IKEA GreenTech.
All during a dinner reception at Nationalmuseum hosted by the organizers.

Link to image bank

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stockholmcleantech

For more information:

Aaron Kaplan, Stockholm Cleantech Business Network
aaron.kaplan@stockholmcleantech.com
Phone: +46 704 06 67 20

Press contact
Annica Englund, Media & Press at Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day
annica.englund@kista.com
Phone: +46 707 71 92 04