Cleantech Challenge

PSU Cleantech Challenge stage

Rules & Eligibility

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

Please review the information below. All Finalist Teams will be required to submit a signed Eligibility Statement that certifies understanding, and adherence to the competition rules upon entry to the 10 week program. If you have any questions regarding the competition rules or eligibility, please contact psuce@pdx.edu for clarification.

Innovation/ Invention

  • Cleantech Challenge submissions must be a physical invention. For example, we do not accept lifestyle apps and standalone software that does not have a physical component. We do, however, accept and encourage the use of technology as part of a physical invention. 
  • Cleantech Challenge does not restrict the competition to any industry. We accept submissions in any sector or industry. 
  • All teams must demonstrate progress between the preliminary competition, Semi-Finals, and Finals (if the team advances). 
  • Cleantech Challenge encourages, but does not require, that submissions focus on green or sustainable inventions.  

Stage of Development

  • Cleantech Challenge accepts submissions that are still in the idea phase. However, each Finalist Team is judged on how much progress the team has made toward developing their prototype. While you can apply to Cleantech Challenge with an idea (and this is encouraged!) you must be willing to work hard to execute and build a prototype. Teams that do not demonstrate progress may be disqualified.
  • A submission may be pre-revenue, or producing revenue. Student companies that have generated more than $100,000 in any single year are not eligible.
  • A team is ineligible if it has received outside institutional funding (venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, corporate funds, etc.). 
  • Teams may accept non-institutional funding (contest prizes, grants, loans, etc.) of up to $250,000 prior to or during this competition/ program, so long as no equity ownership is associated with the funding.

Team Requirements

  • Teams must consist of at least 2 team members.
  • There is no limit to the number of team members.
  • Solo team members can pitch at the Semi-Finals.
  • Any solo team member who is selected as a Finalist must recruit at least one additional team member to participate for the duration of the 10 week program.
  • At least one team member must be an eligible student directly affiliated with Portland State University. Other team members can be recruited from outside the PSU ecosystem, or from within the larger Portland community, including students attending other schools, or other interested parties within the state of Oregon. 
  • Eligible students are defined as:
  • PSU Faculty and Staff members can participate as an advisor on an all-student team. 
  • Although not required, Cleantech Challenge recommends that teams consist of one technical and one business lead.
  • No team or individual may participate in the Cleantech Challenge program with the same concept or prototype more than once if that team or individual was awarded a place/ prize at the final competition in any previous year. Note: this refers to prize money and does not include prototyping grant funds.

Program Timeline

  • December 31, 2023 - Applications Close 
  • January 1 -15, 2024 - Preliminary Review
  • January 16, 2024 - Semi Finalist Teams Announced
  • January 17, 2024 - Cleantech Challenge Semi Finals/ 3 minute Pitch Competition
  • January 17, 2024 - Finalist Teams Announced
  • January 17 - March 29, 2024 - 10 week Cleantech Challenge Program
  • March 29, 2024 - Cleantech Challenge Finals

Participation 

  • Cleantech Challenge requires that at least 2 team members from each Finalist Team participate in the entire 10 week program from January 17th to March 29th, 2024.
  • 10 week program includes:
    • Weekly Curriculum
    • Bi weekly 1v1 Check-ins (Finalist Teams and PSUCE staff)
    • Bi weekly Group Discussion Forums (Cohort of all Finalist Teams)
    • Access to PSU Center for Entrepreneurship Network & Resources
    • Mentor Match*
  • Mentor Match*
    • The PSU Center for Entrepreneurship will match each Finalist Team with a dedicated mentor in our network, depending on availability.
    • Mentors will be leaders from the local PDX startup community.
    • Mentors will meet with matched Finalist Teams at least two times throughout the duration of the 10 week program.

Diverse Teams

  • Cleantech Challenge recognizes the value and importance of diversity in entrepreneurship. 
  • Teams with diverse backgrounds tend to perform better—according to McKinsey, teams that are racially and ethnically diverse perform 33% more profitably than less diverse teams. 
  • Cleantech Challenge encourages inclusive teams with members who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, women, and/or other underrepresented groups. 

Awards and Prizes

  • Each Cleantech Challenge Finalist Team will be awarded a $1000 grant to develop their prototype. Reporting Guidelines will be provided upon acceptance into the Cleantech Challenge program.
  • Award money may be payable to the student, faculty, or the venture. Members of the winning teams must sign a Prize Agreement (Included in the Innovation Development Grant & Use Plan) . 
  • If the Finalist Team is offered, and accepts additional funding, teams will be required to execute additional documentation.
  • Prizes will be awarded as outlined in the Prize Agreement.

Intellectual Property (IP) disclosure

  • Finalist Teams will be required to execute an IP Disclosure (Included in the Innovation Development Grant & Use Plan) with submission. 
  • Finalist Teams must disclose if they have patented their technology prior to the competition. 
  • Cleantech Challenge, the PSU Center for Entrepreneurship, and Portland State University waive all claims to intellectual property for any submissions to the Cleantech Challenge. 
  • Finalist Teams should consult with their faculty advisor and PSU for specific details and school rules regarding intellectual property developed by students and/or faculty. (Propel PSU Innovation & Intellectual Property)

Disqualifications

  • Failure to disclose or follow rules and guidelines are grounds for disqualification not only for Finalist Teams, but for Team Members participation in following years.
  • All grant funds must be used for expenses related to technical and commercial development of the project such as prototyping, materials, supplies, or other activities that assist in moving the team’s goals forward. Grant funds may not be used to purchase alcohol or drugs. 
  • Teams who do not adhere to the participation requirement may be disqualified. 
  • Cleantech Challenge/ PSU Center for Entrepreneurship reserves the right …
    • to disqualify a team at any time for any reason at its discretion
    • to remove a non-progressing team from the program
    • to require all grant funds disbursed to Finalist Teams be returned if a team fails to meet participation requirements

Signature Required

All Finalist Teams must submit a signed Eligibility Statement that certifies adherence to the competition rules upon entry to the 10 week program.