The most unique aspect of this competition is the fact that it is more than a competition. When a company applies they immediately enter into a mentoring process that is comprehensive and in-depth. Whereas most competitions offer up the ability to chat with a few retired guys, the volunteers that make the CTO so strong are active business, finance, and technology domain experts. Applicants are put through a rigorous training and mentoring process and that addresses all aspects of starting and growing a business. So when they get to the actual competition they are much more mature and prepared than we have seen almost any other applicants in other competitions. It is not about winning the pitch, it is about learning.
The other characteristic of the CTO that we find special is that they are focused on companies that are using technology to address real environmental problems. Clean water, more efficient energy production, dealing with waste and pollution. Sitting there watching the presentations I realized that the problems we face as a planet are not going to be solved by politicians, laws, treaties, or activism. Like most serious problems that we have faced in history, they will be solved by smart people being creative who apply knowledge and technology. They are working on it.
What a great experience. Thank you to all the volunteers that make it happen and the leadership behind the whole effort. I can’t wait to get involved in the 2013 competition.
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