The Cleantech Open, the world’s largest clean-technology business competition, has announced that Grundfos Pumps, one of the world’s leading pump manufacturers, is providing expertise and, potentially, capital resources to participants in the 2011 edition of the Cleantech Open. Grundfos executives will serve as subject-matter experts, mentors and judges to early-stage clean-technology startups in the Cleantech Open, providing these entrepreneurs the knowledge and business relationships that will increase their ability to make a tangible impact on economic growth and environmental change.

“This cooperation gives us a unique opportunity to identify new business and expand our network. It allows us to have a dialogue and potentially partner up with cutting-edge companies at a very early stage. This is extremely important if you want to be part of radical innovation. Our Innovation Intent clearly states that Grundfos has a goal to create additional product strategies and business streams alongside our core pump business. This partnership is an important part of that vision,” says Henrik Skov Laursen, head of the Grundfos Water Technology Center, located in Fresno, Calif.

Grundfos is actively involved in the Blue Tech Valley initiative, which aims to strategically leverage the Central San Joaquin Valley’s natural resources and physical assets for inventors, entrepreneurs and start-ups, creating a rich context for testing, development and commercializing innovative water and energy technology.

A non-profit organization, the Cleantech Open helps connect entrepreneurs with the expertise, talent and funding needed to create successful, sustainable businesses. Since its inception in 2006, more than 470 promising entrepreneurs have availed themselves of the Cleantech Open’s unique, hands-on workforce development, nurturing and funding programs. And with impressive results: Cleantech Open alumni companies have raised more than $300 million in private capital, while creating thousands of clean-technology jobs.

“We believe that startups don’t necessarily fail due to the lack of a good idea, or even funding,” says Rex Northen, executive director of the Cleantech Open. “More often than not, entrepreneurs can lack the business expertise and relationships necessary to transition successfully from an innovative idea to a thriving business. This partnership with Grundfos will help deliver the expertise and connections needed to execute and achieve water-technology innovations – and success at scale.”

For more information on the competition, visit www.cleantechopen.org.