The week-long Clean and Cool Mission, taking place from 17th – 24th January 2015, is organised by Innovate UK, together with The Long Run Venture, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and CoSpA (the Co-Sponsorship Agency). This is the fifth such trip since 2010; the 64 companies that have been on the four previous missions have secured over half a billion pounds in investment since returning to the UK.
These Missions are an opportunity for the UK’s most promising cleantech companies to learn from key leaders and peers in the field, showcase their innovations to potential investors and partners, and explore business opportunities in the US. With a packed agenda of briefings, pitch opportunities and networking events, the British clean technology companies will get unparalleled access to the US cleantech ecosystem and unique insights for expanding their business internationally.
Among the delegation are companies whose innovations address some of the most pressing climate challenges in the country and worldwide, including efficient energy generation for off-grid communities, management solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and bio-jet technology for cleaner air-travel.
Kevin Baughan, Director of Technology and Innovation, Innovate UK, said:
“With San Francisco at the heart of the cleantech ecosystem in the US, the Clean and Cool Mission is a fantastic opportunity for UK businesses to showcase their innovative technologies and identify growth opportunities in this thriving industry.”
“The levels of investment achieved by previous Mission attendees is incredible and we’re really excited about the sixteen companies selected for this year’s trip. Each chosen company has shown us new and exciting cleantech solutions with huge potential and addressing a multitude of environmental challenges faced by society today.”
Louis Barson, Deputy Director for Science and Innovation, UKTI Innovation Gateway, UK Trade Investment, commented:
“We are delighted to support the Clean and Cool Mission to San Francisco and help UK innovation succeed internationally. We see this mission as a chance for some of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming businesses to do deals and build connections in the U.S., and maybe sow the seeds for the next big breakthrough in clean technology.”
The 64 attendees from the four previous Clean and Cool Missions have secured over £550 million in post-mission investment to date. Of this, private sector investment is £269 million, grants and other public investments total £39 million, and £249 million from other sources of finance including: share placing, international revenue and asset finance.
The progress of the sixteen companies can be followed on Twitter @innovateukmedia @CleanandCool and #cleansf.