Valopaa Ltd. nominated in the Global Cleantech Later Stage Award contest

Finnish companies among the best in 2011

Search for the world's best Cleantech solutions - 10 Finnish companies compete internationally

Finnish Cleantech expertise is in the limelight again in the Global Cleantech Later Stage Award contest, which is especially followed by international capital investors. The ten most promising Finnish Cleantech companies are contenders for the award and will receive investor contacts and publicity through the contest. In addition to Moventas and Beneq, who won their categories in 2011, no less than four Finnish Cleantech companies were among the 30 finalists.

The contest is organized by the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA), an association for the most eminent international Cleantech clusters. The Finnish Cleantech Cluster, coordinated by Lahti SBP, is one of its founding members. GCCA's Global Cleantech Later Stage Award sifts out the most promising later stage Cleantech companies from all over the world.

'The rapidly growing parent organization for Cleantech clusters includes 39 cluster members from all over the world. This year’s standard of the Global Cleantech Later Stage Award contest is higher than ever,' says Nina Harjula, Development Manager for Lahti SBP. 'Finnish companies are monitored with particular interest due to the success last year. This is great, since 10 excellent Cleantech companies are taking part from Finland in 2012. I believe we will be in the forefront this year as well!'

The top 30 Cleantech companies will be chosen at different stages from thousands of European, North American and Asian companies. The Global Cleantech Later Stage Awards are presented in ten categories.

The ten contenders from Finland are: Forchem (biofuels), Gasek (biofuels), Valopaa (energy efficiency), Savo-Solar (solar energy), There Corporation (smart grids), Wello (wave and tidal energy), BMH Technologies (waste management), Liqum (water supply and sewerage), The Switch (wind energy) and Eniram (transport).

A group of leading risk investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world select the award winners that represent the best in clean technology. The winners will receive publicity on the international investment markets and an excellent networking opportunity. 'We know from experience that even getting a name among the list of contenders creates potential contacts for companies,' adds Nina Harjula.

The finalists will be announced this fall and the winners will be announced in November at an international clean energy conference in Savannah, GA, USA.

The contest website: http://www.globalcleantech.org/

Further information:
Nina Harjula
Development Manager, Finnish Cleantech Cluster
Lahti Science & Business Park
tel. +358 50 5180 915
[email protected]

Global Cleantech Cluster Association in short
The Global Cleantech Cluster Association creates techniques for companies to help them harness the benefits of international Cleantech cluster collaboration. The operations enable companies to reach potential investors, new markets, influential networks, and to have access to technology resources and the best practices. The association includes 39 clusters, which have a membership of approximately 3,500 Cleantech companies worldwide. The GCCA was founded by swisscleantech, Finnish Cleantech Cluster and Sustainable World Capital. For more information about GCCA and the nomination arrangement, go to: www.globalcleantech.org.

Lahti Science & Business Park in short
Lahti Science & Business Park is the leading Cleantech technology park in the Nordic Countries. We speed up companies in the sector to grow and internationalize. We also offer an environment for industrial design and practical innovation. Further information: www.lahtisbp.fi

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