Press Release - 2011-02-18 - Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps
Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) Selected to Mentor Renewable-Energy-Startups as part of U.S. SBA Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps
As regional accelerator, NIREC will nurture the next generation of high growth entrepreneurs as part of the Administration’s Startup America initiative
NIREC has been selected as a Regional Accelerator to mentor clean energy startups as part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps (EMC). This new national mentoring initiative pairs high growth businesses with mentors who can help support these companies through early-stage challenges and increase the businesses’ chances for success. NIREC is one of only four accelerators selected from 75 organizations.
“Who better for entrepreneurs and startups to learn from than NIREC–whose mentors have been down a similar path before,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “NIREC’s mentors can provide valuable insights critical to small business’ success; from opportunities for financing, advice on hiring to even walking an entrepreneur through steps for taking a product or idea into the commercial market. The Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps will mobilize some of the best and brightest business leaders to help create the same opportunities for success for the next generation as well as drive innovation and job creation in Nevada and the West.”
NIREC will pair mentors with participating companies to assess needs, opportunities and strategies, and ascertain steps to address any gaps. Relying on NIREC’s extensive innovation network, mentors will provide access to technology, business development and operational resources, and accelerate the path to revenue growth, job creation, and financing while avoiding pitfalls that frequently challenge startups.
“We applaud the SBA for recognizing the challenges in clean energy commercialization and for addressing the critical need for business mentorship,” said NIREC Director of Operations Li Han Chan. “NIREC’s selection as one of the four regional accelerators for this mentoring program further demonstrates the importance of Nevada’s role as a hub for clean energy commercialization.”
The SBA announced the creation of the EMC early this month as part of the White House initiative Startup America. To pilot this national initiative, the SBA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to target clean energy small businesses.
About NIREC
The Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC) transforms clean energy ideas into sustainable businesses. With a focus on renewable energy, energy conservation and energy efficiency, NIREC launches early stage companies centered on the commercialization and widespread deployment of renewable energy solutions. Visit http://www.nirec.org/.
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Jacqueline Phillips
Communications Manager
Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC)
Located at Sierra Nevada College at Lake Tahoe
999 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, NV 89451
(775) 881-7516 main office
(775) 881-7546 direct www.nirec.org
Transforming Clean Energy Ideas into Sustainable Enterprises
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"NIREC integrates researchers, financial capital and experienced entrepreneurs & executives to identify and fund renewable energy solutions. Ultimately, NIREC’s principal mission is to create jobs through the commercialization and widespread deployment of renewable energy technology."
- Ian Rogoff, NIREC Chairman & Trustee
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