Video: SXSWEco Wrap-up and Interview

Great video of the fantastic Sarah Backhouse from Future360 at the South by Southwest Eco Startup Showcase.  Nice interviews with each of the semi-finalists, including our own Nathan Benjamin!  Thanks, Sarah!

Keep Austin Weird - And Green!

The South by Southwest Eco conference begins today in Austin, TX.  The city's motto is "Keep Austin Weird" and this quirky, creative town has transformed itself into a haven for eco-mided enthusiasts, advocates and industry leaders.  The three day event is chock full of panels, discussions and events aimed at creating fresh answers to today's sustainability questions. Want in on the action?  You can watch keynote speakers live, on the SXSWEco site.

One of the highlights of the conference is the Startup Showcase, a chance for innovators and entrepreneurs to present their ideas for creating a more eco-friendly world.  We are so proud to be presenting at this year's Showcase, and are really looking forward to hearing the amazing things our fellow presenters have been up to.  Among the semifinalists are:

Actual Sun

CECFO

iLumi Solutions

Kiverdi, Inc.

KleenSpeed Technologies

Nexus eWater  

NuMat Technologies

Omni Water Solutions

Plovgh

Pvilion

Radiator Labs

Staxxon, LLC

Zeta Communities

Since we're in Texas, we thought it would be a great chance to stop by and see our friends at the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Dallas and Austin.  It's so interesting and inspiring to see how different cities around the country have embraced the Habitat mission.  Both cities do a fantastic job of getting the word out about their services and the positive impact their organization has on their local communities.  

We think these signs in the Austin ReStore are visually stunning and really drive home the importance of their continued efforts to create decent housing for those in need.  And the fact that Dallas is the largest builder of single family homes in the city?  Impressive, to say the least. Needless to say, these cities are definitely living up to the saying of "everything is bigger in Texas" - in this case, their commitment to the cause.  

It's events like South by Southwest Eco, and the chance to visit ReStores, that lights a fire under us for the future of sustainability.  We have a lot of work to do, and a long way to go, but with people like this leading the charge, we're surely heading in the right direction.  

SXSW Eco StartUp Showcase selects PlanetReuse Marketplace powered by InvenQuery

PlanetReuse Marketplace powered by InvenQuery was selected as one of the 15 semifinalists that will present at SXSW Eco Startup Showcase presented by Austin Technology Clean Energy Incubator and Austin Energy.

Spotlighting innovation and entrepreneurship, the Startup Showcase is a one-day venture capital pitch competition exhibiting the best of cleantech startups from around the world.

Sarah Backhouse of Future360, will give a tour of clean technology innovation as the 15 semifinalists, handpicked by the Startup Showcase Advisory Board, compete before a live audience of venture investors, potential clients and a panel of Startup Showcase Judges, comprised of cleantech investment experts from top firms across the country.

This inaugural competition will take place on October 4, the second day of SXSW Eco, and includes exclusive networking opportunities for the participants as well as a conference-wide Awards Reception. Join us at SXSW Eco this year!

Here is a list of the amazing 15 Semifinalists:
ActualSun
CEFCO Global Clean Energy
iLumi Solutions Inc.
Kiverdi, Inc.
KleenSpeed Technologies Inc.
Nexus eWater
NuMat Technologies, Inc.
Omni Water Solutions
PlanetReuse
Plovgh
Pvilion
Radiator Labs
Sourcemap
Staxxon LLC
ZETA Comminities

Best of luck to all of the Semifinalists!