Clean-energy idea can win business dollars

The competition calls for crafting a pitch that can sell a business concept to angel investors, venture capitalists, government grant-funding agencies and others. All Massachusetts students, researchers and entrepreneurs interested in emerging energy technologies are invited to participate. Contestants create a short executive summary and a 15-minute presentation. Submission deadline is March 1.

Paul Wormser, UML's entrepreneur-in-residence, will be the keynote speaker at the kick-off event, "How to Write a Winning Investor Presentation," from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Tuesday at the MIT Tang Center in Cambridge.

The UML Commercial Venture Development Center will hold the first round of presentations on March 21, where 10 finalists will be chosen. MIT will hold the finalists' presentation on April 27, with winners announced at the closing awards. A total of $30,000 in cash awards will be handed out, including a first-place prize of $15,000 plus a yearlong membership in the UML's Commercial Venture Development incubator valued at $20,000.

Entry forms are available at www.ignitecleanenergy.com. Other sponsors include the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Cummings Properties, the Massachusetts High Technology Council and Constellation Energy.