Cleantech Group, whose mission is to connect corporates to sustainable innovation through the i3 market intelligence platform, expert advisory services, and global events, released the sixth annual Global Cleantech 100 list and report.

Cleantech’s list recognizes the 100 most promising and innovative companies most likely to make a significant market impact over the next five to ten years across 17 sectors, including Energy Efficiency, Biofuels & Biochemicals, Smart Grid, Transportation, and Water & Wastewater. In addition to the list, a full report with commentary and insight into the 2014 Global Cleantech 100 was also released today—authored by Cleantech Group, powered by data from i3, and sponsored by Chubb. 

“The Global Cleantech 100 represents the most inspiring array of entrepreneurs across the cleantech space that are at the forefront of innovation,” said Sheeraz Haji, Cleantech Group’s CEO. “It is a true honor to gather with the global cleantech community every year to recognize and celebrate the achievements of each of the top 100 companies as they continue to solve tomorrow’s energy and resource challenges and redefine sustainable innovation.”

This year, a record number of nominations were received: 5,995 distinct companies from 60 countries. These companies were weighted and scored to create a short list of 327 companies. Short-listed nominees were reviewed by Cleantech Group’s Expert Panel, resulting in a final list of 100 companies from 17 countries.

Konrad Augustin, Principal, E.ON, commented: “The Global Cleantech 100 provides insight into how the players in the market are viewing existing and new trends and about who are the leading clean technology companies. We see our investment activity confirmed by the results and especially through the award as Corporate Investor of the Year.”

The 84-member expert panel was drawn equally from leading financial investors and representatives of multi-national corporations and industrials active in technology and innovation scouting across Asia, Europe, and North America. The composition of the expert panel broadly represents the global cleantech community, from pioneers and leaders to veterans and new entrants. The diversity of panelists results in a list of companies that command an expansive base of respect and support from many important players within the global cleantech innovation ecosystem. 

“The Global Cleantech 100 each year provides us with invaluable insight into which companies key market players think are most likely to have a significant impact in the next 5-10 years,” said Richard Youngman, Cleantech Group’s Managing Director, Europe & Asia and creator of the program. “How the composition of the Global Cleantech 100 list changes over time is revealing of key megatrends and hot sub-sectors – and helps us all get a view on the future.”

In addition to unveiling the list, Cleantech Group presented a series of awards across 11 categories during the Global Cleantech 100 Gala held on October 6 in Washington, DC at 1776, a global hub for start-ups.

2014 Global Cleantech 100 Quick Facts:

• 17 countries are represented in the 2014 list. The United States is the most highly represented country with 62 companies.
• Energy Efficiency remains the hottest and growing sector within cleantech, with 24 companies on the list. 16 other sectors were also represented, showing a diversity of interests and a continued focus on water & wastewater, advanced materials and other areas of sustainable innovation.
• There were more solar companies in 2014 (9) compared to 2013 (6), suggesting a renaissance of new business models that will continue to help raise deployment figures.
• The 2014 report featured six mega themes of the Global Cleantech 100:

1. The growth of consumer-centric business model.
2. The focus on emerging market demand and the next go-to markets.
3. The intensification of cleantech going inside the Oil & Gas industry.
4. The trend towards downstream solar and decentralized energy services.
5. The transformation from waste to wealth: the recovery of a trillion dollar market.
6. The rise of big data solutions providers for Utilities.

• Corporations continue to be ever more active in global cleantech innovation as investors, partners, licensees, customers, and acquirers of Global Cleantech 100 companies. GE is the most active overall partner among 2014 Global Cleantech 100 companies, followed by Siemens, Google, BP and E.ON.
• Over 400 investing entities, from 26 different countries, have a shareholding in the 100 companies. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is the most prolific shareholder of 2014 Global Cleantech 100 companies. They have invested in 15 companies on the 2014 list.