Looking to Export Colorado Cleantech Products? Check Out CO-EXist

If you're looking to export Colorado cleantech products to Mexico or China, and you haven't heard about CO-EXist, you're missing out on a great program! The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) administers the "CO-EXist” program. CO-EXist stands for the Colorado Export of Innovative and Sustainable Technologies and has been in place since January of 2010 and will run through December of 2013. The purpose of CO-EXist is to promote Colorado’s cleantech products and services into the Chinese and Mexican markets and facilitate an increase in export sales.

There are a number of components to this program including:

• bringing in buyer’s delegations from China and Mexico to introduce them to Colorado providers of goods and services that they are looking to purchase;
• participating in key industry trade shows in both countries and taking a Colorado delegation with us to display their technologies and have one-on-one meetings;
• a technical assistance fund which helps offset legal fees, contract or technical types of translations, and country specific labeling/packaging/shipping requirements among others, and;
• a Client Development Program which enables qualified Colorado cleantech companies to meet face-to-face with potential Mexican or Chinese buyers.

So what has CO-EXist accomplished to date? "So far, Colorado has hosted 3 foreign buyer delegations and introduced them to more than 40 Colorado cleantech manufacturers and service providers. Companies from across the state have participated with us at the 2010 Green Expo in Mexico City and at the 2011 CIEPEC trade show in Beijing, China. Attending companies have generated at least 3 significant sales and we look forward to many more," noted Stephanie Garnica, Director, Trade & Investment for the Americas at OEDIT. "In addition, the CO-EXist program has provided funding to a number of qualified Colorado cleantech companies through the Client Development Program and Technical Assistance Fund."

The CO-EXist program is funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and is a unique way to boost exports and promote Colorado as a cleantech leader to the key markets of China and Mexico. "We look forward to working with more Colorado cleantech companies and enabling them to sell into these exciting and opportunity-rich countries!" said Garnica.

Intrigued? Click CO-EXist Program Overview for more information.

Developing Renewable Energy Careers

A Nobel Laureate and the Academic Director at the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado will lead a four-day intensive certification program in renewable energy in Denver.

CCIA is pleased to support the University of Colorado’s RETool Program for Developing Business and Careers in the New Energy Economy.

Now in its third year, RETool moves to Denver offering a Professional Executive Certificate Program offered by CU-Boulder’s Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Aimed at examining renewable energy technologies and policies, and identifying opportunities, the program offers incomparable industry insight.

World-class instructors including Paul Komor, the Educational Director of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at CU-Boulder (RASEI), and Steve Lawrence, the Academic Director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder and a Fellow with RASEI, have been tapped to lead instruction.

Both instructors have extensive backgrounds in the renewable energy economy. Komor notably received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is author of the book Renewable Energy Policy (2004).

Lawrence’s research and instruction has included work on renewable energy commercialization, the financial and environmental impacts of smart grids, and hedging strategies for energy intensive businesses.

RETool is open to anyone. “What we're doing is appropriate for any level of business - whether you're planning to start a business, have a business, or are just looking for a better understanding of renewables,” Lawrence explained.

Over the four months, participants will gain a better understanding of the changes and developments in the renewable energy industry enabling them to address the following:

• How are costs and pricing for renewable energy technologies changing?
• Which renewable energy technologies have the greatest short-and long-term promise?
• How do federal and state policies affect the growth of different technologies?
• What are the key challenges of the growth and success of renewable energy and how can they be overcome?
• How can I identify business, commercial and job opportunities with renewable energy?

Focusing on topical issues, the program provides a solid knowledge base for participants. “At the end of it, businesses walk away with a broad understanding of critical issues related to renewable energy focused on electric generation, smart grid, transportation, and energy efficiency,” Lawrence said.

Previously, the program has only been offered in Boulder, but locations in the Downtown Denver and Denver Tech Center can potentially yield greater networking opportunities for participants.

It is important to note that RETool doesn’t include any business planning or entrepreneurship training. However, CREED and CCIA already have programs that focus on entrepreneurship and business development, so RETool nicely complements those programs.

RETool participants can take all four of the courses or elect to attend single classes that focus on topics most relevant or desirable to their goals.

Event Details

Locations & Dates

Friday, September 9: Renewable Electric Power

Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center

7675 East Union Ave.

Denver, CO 80237

Friday, October 7: Understanding Smart Grids

Deloitte Services LP

555 17th Street, Suite 3600

Denver, CO 80202

Friday, November 4: Renewable Transportation Energy

Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center

7675 East Union Ave.

Denver, CO 80237

Friday, December 2: The Promise of Energy Efficiency

Deloitte Services LP

555 17th Street, Suite 3600

Denver, CO 80202

Price: Registration for the full program $1,800. Individual courses $500 each. Enter code CCIA at checkout to receive a 15% discount.

For more information on RETool or to register, please contact Jessica Baumgarten at jessica.baumgarten@colorado.edu or call 303-735-0541.