One of the great things about being in business for yourself is that there are a lot of resources out there to help you grow your business. If you're a business in the clean energy or sustainability industries, you're lucky because Massachusetts is extremely supportive of helping you start and prosper. In fact, Massachusetts is a leading state in our nation in proactively growing this sector and reducing our nation's carbon footprint.
In the next several weeks, there are a variety of programs in Western MA specifically geared to this still burgeoning industry. The Business Growth Center, with its special focus on growing clean energy businesses, will be hosting a few but there's also green (as in money) out there for cleantech innovators and entrepreneurs.
Not sure if your business is "clean energy?" Visit the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to get more info.
And don't forget to check out the other
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Clean Energy / Sustainability Programs
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MassCEC Catalyst Awards: Get up to $40,000
The  MassCEC Catalyst Program, which is funded by MassCEC and managed by the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), awards early-stage entrepreneurs grant awards up to $40,000 to help demonstrate the commercial viability of their clean energy technology.
The due date for proposals is March 31st at 5 pm EST. MassCEC is having office hours for anyone who has any questions on Thursday, March 20th, 4pm to 6pm at the Cambridge Innovation Center, Venture Café, Kendall Square, Cambridge. They've also added call in office hours to accommodate folks in the western part of the state as well as for those who are not able to attend the other office hours: Friday, March 21st from 10am to noon
Dedicated dial in number 1-267-507-0400
Access Code 813-6443
Get more information about the Catalyst Program.
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Seeking Cleantech Entrepreneurs and Mentors: Mar 27
Are you a cleantech entrepreneur looking for ways to accelerate your startup, expand your cleantech network, and explore funding opportunities? Are you a cleantech or sustainability professional or experienced entrepreneur looking to support other entrepreneurs in growing their cleantech startups? The Busine ss Growth Center is happy to host the Northeast Region of the Cleantech Open on March 27th from 5:30PM - 7:30PM for an intimate briefing about their business accelerator program and competition, and enable you to learn more about how the program can help you grow your cleantech venture, or mentor entrepreneurs looking to solve our biggest environmental and energy challenges. Register today for the Mar 27 Northeast Cleantech Open Briefing at The Business Growth Center.
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MassCEC Employer Appreciation Night: April 9
As they get ready to kick off their 2014 Summer Internship Program, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center would like to thank its partners who have participated in the program over the last four years and introduce new employers to its program.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program connects students who are interested in careers in the clean energy sector with companies, all while MassCEC provides the stipends for interns during fall, spring and summer sessions.
Please join MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton and their Workforce Development Team to celebrate the success of the Internship Program and to thank you for making this program possible at The Business Growth Center on April 9, 6:30 - 8:30pm!
It will be a great opportunity to introduce you to the MassCEC staff, connect with other clean energy companies in our region, and learn more about the results of the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which showed that there are nearly 80,000 people working in the clean energy sector here in the Commonwealth.
Register for this free event.
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Business Growth Programs
Meet your Buyers. Grow your Business: Apr 8 & 15
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Meet your local buyers from some of the Pioneer Valley's larger corporations and be ready to grow your business! This two-day workshop, developed and delivered by national experts at Next Street in partne rship with the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, will help small, local businesses develop core business skills to scale their companies, as well as learn how to secure contracts from large local corporations. Procurement officers from some of the region's large corporations, including Baystate Health, Big Y, UMass, MGM and others, will be there. We hope you will, too. And, if your company subsequently gets a loan to expand your company's capacity from Common Capital of $100K or more, Common Capital will refund the cost of this program!  Register today for
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What's Hot? New Business Ideas and Trends: Mar 26
 | Rieva Lesonsky
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Learn about the hottest business concepts and trends for small business owners and entrepreneurs in a special event co-sponsored by the MSBDC Network and The Business Growth Center. Join us for a 2-hour workshop with award-winning small business advocate and authority, Rieva Lesonsky. She is CEO and founder of GrowBiz Media, a custom content and media company that helps national marketers reach small business owners and helps entrepreneurs start and grow their companies. This  workshop is limited to 20 participants. Register and see the full list of MSBDC workshops
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Suites and Co-working Space Available: April 1
The Business Growth Center is a community of small businesses and support organizations with private suites and co-working space available at reasonable prices in an excellent location with free parking. Call Marla Michel (413-355-5686) for more information or a visit.
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Partners
Check out one of the many partners wanting to help you start and grow your business Growth Partners
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Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy technologies, companies and projects in Massachusetts-while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. Visit the MassCEC
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Cleantech Open - Northeast
The northeast division of the world's largest cleantech accelerator is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and technologists the resources needed to launch a successful cleantech company. Visit Cleantech Open NE
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Western MA Green Consortium
is an information and networking resource to promote collaboration within the green economy in Western MA and meets every 2nd Wed of each month.
Visit WMGC
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Stay Connected
 
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