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.