Cleantech Open Northeast, Boston MA
Cleantech Open Northeast, Boston MA

Beth Zonis

Cleantech Open Northeast

About Us

Cleantech Open is the oldest and largest accelerator and business plan competition for cleantech startups. It's like a mini MBA. We just concluded the 2020 accelerator. As a nonprofit, we don’t take equity in the startups. We are combating climate change and growing the green economy through innovation and entrepreneurship. You can express interest now for 2021. http://cleantechopen.org

We welcome donations to Cleantech Open Northeast / NECEC at https://tiny.cc/give-CleantechOpenNE. Any amount is appreciated. All contributions make a difference.

How We Got Started

We started as a spinoff of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge in 2005. The original name was ignite Clean Energy. In 2011 we merged with Cleantech Open which had started in California; then we became a national accelerator. In 2015 Cleantech Open Northeast became part of NECEC, the Northeast Clean Energy Council. NECEC runs the Northeast Region of Cleantech Open.

Products & Services
Cleantech Open Northeast by Cleantech Open Northeast
Cleantech Open is the world's oldest and largest accelerator and business plan competition for cleantech startups. We're growing the cleantech econ...
Recommendations Given (14)
"John Bowey is an excellent video producer. He is talented, dedicated, kind, and thorough. He puts..." Read more "John Bowey is an excellent video producer. He is talented, dedicated, kind, and thorough. He puts in his all to get the job done! He went the extra mile to help entrepreneurs in the Cleantech Open accelerator create videos to promote their businesses. "
"Romy was a pleasure to have in the Cleantech Open accelerator, and she's made good progress on..." Read more "Romy was a pleasure to have in the Cleantech Open accelerator, and she's made good progress on her cleantech venture since then!"
Recent Activity

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on May 16, 2020
Since others are talking about the technology, I'll add something about making Zoom meetings engaging. Zoom meetings can be fun! I think it's important to keep things lively, since we're all on so many virtual meetings. If you have more than 10 people, use breakout rooms to give everyone a chance... (more) Since others are talking about the technology, I'll add something about making Zoom meetings engaging. Zoom meetings can be fun! I think it's important to keep things lively, since we're all on so many virtual meetings. If you have more than 10 people, use breakout rooms to give everyone a chance to participate. The key to making this work is to prompt people with a topic. Keep the groups small enough -- 4-6 people -- so that everyone can introduce themselves and get a chance to speak. Keep the breakout times long enough for some conversation, but not too long. My recommendation is 10-15 minutes max. Then let them know they'll be moved back into the main room. The prompt should be something that is of interest to the participants, relevant to the purpose of the meeting, and something that is open ended enough to spark discussion. 

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on March 12, 2020
I run a mostly virtual accelerator for cleantech startups -- with in-person events. Starting tomorrow everyone in the office will be working from home. We are holding all meetings and events virtually. It's not the same as in-person, but it actually works well since our community is... (more) I run a mostly virtual accelerator for cleantech startups -- with in-person events. Starting tomorrow everyone in the office will be working from home. We are holding all meetings and events virtually. It's not the same as in-person, but it actually works well since our community is geographically dispersed across the Northeast (Canada, MA, RI, CT, VT, ME, NH, NY, NJ, and PA). Working remotely minimizes travel time and expense. In many ways we can actually be more efficient and productive! We just need to check in with each other more often.

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on March 05, 2020
Hi, Jo. I am the director of Cleantech Open Northeast, a nonprofit accelerator for Cleantech startups. Following are the benefits of sponsoring Cleantech Open Northeast.  ·  Access to innovators and entrepreneurs and their innovations ·  Exposure and brand visibility for your firm and your... (more) Hi, Jo. I am the director of Cleantech Open Northeast, a nonprofit accelerator for Cleantech startups. Following are the benefits of sponsoring Cleantech Open Northeast.  ·  Access to innovators and entrepreneurs and their innovations ·  Exposure and brand visibility for your firm and your expertise ·  Influence, especially through thought leadership, judging, mentoring and solution testing ·  Community engagement and networking with others in the ecosystem ·  Impact on the cleantech economy and on the environment Thanks! Beth

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on February 14, 2020
I try to treat everyone with kindness. Kindness is one of the bases for friendship and trust. When you make friends with your business associates, and you have mutual trust, then business is much more enjoyable. Your associates will be more loyal when you are friendly and they feel that you care... (more) I try to treat everyone with kindness. Kindness is one of the bases for friendship and trust. When you make friends with your business associates, and you have mutual trust, then business is much more enjoyable. Your associates will be more loyal when you are friendly and they feel that you care about them. As Maya Angelou said: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."  

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on February 06, 2020
I'm not currently a business owner (although I have been). In my current role as a director of a nonprofit, I help train entrepreneurs. In our field of cleantech innovation, a major personal driver is the mission. We are improving the environment and growing the cleantech economy through... (more) I'm not currently a business owner (although I have been). In my current role as a director of a nonprofit, I help train entrepreneurs. In our field of cleantech innovation, a major personal driver is the mission. We are improving the environment and growing the cleantech economy through innovation and entrepreneurship.  
1 Reply

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on January 22, 2020
It depends on the stage of the company, how much and what type of marketing help is needed. It also depends on the expertise and bandwidth of the existing team. That said, the core team needs to be very conversant on the marketing messaging and segmentation. (more) It depends on the stage of the company, how much and what type of marketing help is needed. It also depends on the expertise and bandwidth of the existing team. That said, the core team needs to be very conversant on the marketing messaging and segmentation.

Beth from Cleantech Open Northeast Answered this on January 20, 2020
Hi. This is a good recommendation, but it’s not explicitly part of our accelerator program. Personally, I try to exercise every day and also get some quiet time. It definitely helps! (more) Hi. This is a good recommendation, but it’s not explicitly part of our accelerator program. Personally, I try to exercise every day and also get some quiet time. It definitely helps!

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