More than 80 players in the cleantech sector present
The Spring 2016 Cohort of the cleantech startup accelerator Ecofuel ended its journey in front of more than 80 investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of the industry. Entrepreneurs of Azastra Opto, Kelvin Storage and LITO presented their businesses yesterday evening after participating to a tailored program for them in a highly specialized and effervescent industry.
During their four months participation to Ecofuel, the selected entrepreneurs were propelled through a personalized coaching, adapting to their specific needs. They were trained and counselled by forty renowned mentors in the cleantech sector for their knowledge and their expertise.
“We have clearly established our added value as an accelerator and the entrepreneurs believe we are a reference for startups in the cleantech industry”, says Richard Cloutier, President and CEO of the Ecofuel Accelerator. “Our financial support can be used as a leverage. What really makes a difference is our capacity to provide a personalized framework for our entrepreneurs, with mentors who have significant knowledge and expertise in the cleantech sector and who take the time to discuss with all of them individually. Three of our eleven accelerated companies have concluded follow-on financings and we know that many other will also soon. It’s a great performance indicator of the acceleration Ecofuel offers to the entrepreneurs.”
Ecofuel should soon launch the selection process for the entrepreneurs to compose the Autumn 2016 Cohort. Workshops for this fourth group of cleantech entrepreneurs should kickoff in mid-September.
Ecofuel entrepreneurs’ quotes
“The dynamic and highly competent Ecofuel team and its network of associates ran a program that largely exceeded our expectations. Azastra Opto is pleased to have been selected and our active participation well rewarded.”
– Simon Fafard, Cofounder, President and CEO, Azastra Opto
“Kelvin Storage has a well experienced management team but it’s never too late to learn more from other well experienced mentors. Ecofuel offered that opportunity in spades. In particular getting investment pitch advice from the VC perspective was invaluable. Our congratulations to the entire team for a well-run program!”
– Steve Parker, COO, Kelvin Storage
“Being an entrepreneur in front of VC is challenging and usually you just got a yes or no as an answer. Going through the Ecofuel accelerator program gave us the opportunity to be challenged and interact with VCs but also to rethink and refocus about our business model and strategy in order to raise financing. That was for sure a very good experience above my expectation!”
– Jean-Pierre Legris, Founder and CEO, LITO