Newsroom

MIT Now Enrolling for New Innovative Clean Energy Program

Program Geared to Senior Executives and Entrepreneurs Interested in New Business Opportunities in Clean Energy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 25, 2010 — The MIT Sloan School of Management is holding a groundbreaking program for senior-level executives on May 2-6, 2010. The workshop, Clean Energy Ventures: Creating Innovative New Businesses through Entrepreneurial Management, is designed for leaders responsible for driving innovation and new business development in clean energy. A joint offering of MIT Sloan Executive Education and the MIT Entrepreneurship Center (MIT E-Center), the program will be led by globally recognized experts in the field and will comprise interactive teaching sessions including: live current case studies, visits to some of the most forward thinking clean energy companies, reviews of best practices and networking events.

The program benefits include developing the ability to:

• Identify, evaluate, and support new innovation opportunities and successful clean energy venture creation strategies;
• Understand current best practices for new venture creation in this area and also which practices are not working; and
• Leverage new technology and other innovative breakthroughs to have the most timely and significant impact.

MIT has been recognized on numerous fronts for their innovation in the field of clean energy. In October 2009, the MIT E‐Center was recognized for its achievements in the area of Energy Entrepreneurship and Education [PDF] by the prestigious Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC). President Obama spoke at the Institute later that month, recognizing MIT as central to the momentous effort of bringing real-world solutions to some of today’s most challenging clean energy issues. MIT has also been recognized by the Cleantech Group for its collaboration efforts among academics, businesses, and investors. Cited as a “true clean tech spinoff machine”, MIT was ranked the number one cleantech university in the U.S in January 2010.

“Taking advantage of this unprecedented workshop-style program is absolutely critical for all senior-level executives in energy-related companies, as well as any leaders responsible for motivating advances in clean energy products and services within their companies,” said Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the MIT E-Center. “The tools and initiatives that will emerge from this program will allow these leaders to utilize and be a part of the newest solutions to the great challenge and opportunity that is the field of clean energy.”

The notable speakers and experts from the clean energy field who will be piloting the landmark conference include:

• Bill Aulet: The Managing Director of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center, Aulet was instrumental in creating the $200,000 MIT Clean Energy Prize in 2007 and, as a business leader, has raised over $100 million in funding for his companies. See Aulet’s keynote address from Going Green East from March 2010.
• Donald R. Lessard: Serving as Deputy Dean of MIT from 1998 to 2004 with responsibilities for research, international programs, and executive education, Lessard is currently co-chair of the Energy Education Task Force and is faculty director of the BP Projects and Engineering Academy;
• Henry Weil: Before bringing his knowledge and expertise to MIT Sloan, Weil was president and CEO of Cambridge-based management consulting firm Pugh-Roberts Associates; and
• Tod Hynes: MIT Lecturer and former director of Alternative Energy for Citizens Energy, Hynes is responsible for launching the Citizens’ wind development business;

All of the program faculty will be available for interviews and many additional guest speakers will be announced as the date of the program approaches.

For scheduling and pricing details, visit http://mitexeced.com/cev