New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on August 16th the winning companies for the 76West Clean Energy Competition established to support economic development in the state’s Southern Tier through the attraction and growth of clean-energy businesses.
Awarding a total of $2.5 million to six companies located around the U.S and in New York State, Skyven Technologies is the $1 million grand prize winner, joined by a $500,000 winner and four companies receiving $250,000 each. Texas-based Skyven Technologies uses solar heating techniques to cut down on fossil fuel usage in industry.
The global competition is intended to help develop New York State’s Southern Tier region by incentivizing companies to create clean energy jobs. Award winners are required to either move to the Southern Tier or establish a direct connection with the Southern Tier. Those companies already based in the Southern Tier must commit to substantially growing their business and employment in the region.
Governor Cuomo spoke about the winners of the contest in an article, saying that, “New York is setting a national precedent in growing clean-energy businesses and battling climate change, and this momentum continues with the 76West Competition. Skyven Technologies and the rest of the winners from this competition will bring jobs and economic growth to the Southern Tier and beyond, ensuring that New York remains at the forefront of the new clean energy economy.”
The other winners in the 76West competition are:
- SunTegra, from Port Chester, NY, $500,000 for solar products directly integrated into roofing, providing an alternate look at conventional solar panels.
- Biological Energy, from Spencer, NY, $250,000 for decreasing energy use needed for wastewater treatment while increasing capacity.
- EthosGen, from Wilkes-Barre, PA, $250,000 for technology that captures waste heat and transforms it into electric power.
- SolarKal, from New York, NY, $250,000 for a brokerage service assisting businesses in going solar.
- Visolis, from Berkeley, CA, $250,000 for a method of producing valuable chemicals from biomass instead of petroleum.
