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European Tech Tour Association Launch First Cleantech Summit

- Call for Applications Now Open forEurope's Top Cleantech Start-ups

The European Tech Tour Association (ETT) today announced the launch of the ETT Cleantech Summit 2009, a sector-specific event focused on bringing togetherEurope's most innovative Cleantech start-ups with leading venture capitalists and senior industry professionals. Selected companies will present to an international delegation of more than 130 influential investors, technology industry leaders, service providers and academics, offering participants the opportunity to network, develop partnerships and potentially generate financing. Cleantech start-up submissions for the event, which will be held June 17-19 inGeneva, Switzerland, are now being accepted and potential applicants should register online before April 15th at http://www.techtour.com/cleantech09/how_to_register.php.

The Cleantech Summit is designed to profile the green entrepreneurs of the future, and provide networking opportunities for the participants and visiting delegates from industry and finance. Given the current market dynamics and government policy and investment priorities, Cleantech is one of the key growth areas forEurope's technology industry. The Cleantech investment community inEurope andIsrael is relatively small, but developing rapidly. The Cleantech Summit provides unique visibility and access to this community for the short-listed entrants.

"Cleantech offers the green shoots forEurope's technology industry," said Bernard Vogel, President, Cleantech Summit. "The market conditions are undoubtedly tough, but the combination of private sector ingenuity and government-led necessity is driving a new wave of interest in clean and green technology. Bringing together entrepreneurs and investors will help convert these green shoots into positive growth prospects forEurope."

Companies based or incubated inEurope andIsrael are eligible to participate in the Summit. Companies need to submit a full company profile, latest business plan and draft presentation together with the online registration form. Each submission is then reviewed by two members of the selection committee, comprised of 20 senior-level business leaders from various backgrounds including venture capital, technology, research and economic promotion. The Selection Committee will identify the 30 most promising companies, and the finalists will be notified by late April, who will then be invited to present at the Summit in June.

The ETT Cleantech Summit 2009 is presided over by Bernard Vogel of Endeavour Vision. The Vice President of the Selection Committee this year is Alexis Figeac of Entrepreneurs Fund and the Vice President of Sponsoring is Alexander Banz.

    The Selection Committee Members:

    - Alessio Beverina, Sofinnova
    - Niels Bjerregaard, Danfoss
    - Richard P. Blundell, 2degrees Capital
    - Ignace de Prest, Schneider Electric Ventures
    - John Denniston, Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers
    - Bart Diels, GIMV
    - Martin Eschle, NOK
    - Michael Hochholzer, BayTech Venture Capital
    - James Hook, Climate Change Capital
    - Bart Markus, Wellington Partners
    - Epsen Mehlum, WEF
    - Markus Moor, Emerald Technology Ventures
    - Henrik Olsen, Environmental Technologies Fund
    - Hans Otterling, Northzone Ventures
    - Andreas von Richter, GE Ventures

About ETT

The European Tech Tour Association (ETT) was founded inGeneva in 1998 in response to the growing interest in emerging technology companies in various European regions. ETT is an independent, not-for-profit organization composed of key contributors to the high-technology industry. The association recognizes that continued prosperity inEurope lies in its ability to transform today's innovative projects into tomorrow's global technology leaders. In keeping with the theme, the Cleantech Tech Tour will compensate the carbon footprint for all participants.

    For more information, please contact:

    Simone Theiss, Operations Director, ETT,
    Email: Simone@techtour.com,
    Tel. +41(22)544-60-90.

    John Mandeville, Weber Shandwick Cleantech Practice,
    Email: JMandeville@webershandwick.com,
    Tel: +44(0)207-067-0514.

SOURCE The European Tech Tour Association (ETT)