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"This year’s CleanStart Showcase was fantastic! From the top level speakers, to the recognition of a local “Innovator of the Year,” down to the person curious about the industry…there was something for everyone! Thank you SARTA!"
Rosa Escutia-Braaton PG&E
SARTA’s sixth annual CleanStart Showcase on October 22 focused on “Succeeding in Sacramento” and was host to nearly 500 attendees. As always, the Showcase is an opportunity to take stock of how far we’ve come since the founding of CleanStart, and the news is good. 
There are now in the region a core of 100 clean tech companies who together generate $1.8 billion in yearly revenue and sustain 2,700 jobs. This sector has been growing consistently, regardless of the recession, the housing crisis, and the downturn in venture investing. It is now about triple the size it was in 2005, despite the challenging economic conditions of recent years.
At Monday’s Showcase, Steve Westly, founder of The Westly Group, provided a lively perspective on where the opportunity in clean tech investing is now – specifically, LED lighting, energy efficiency software, and electric vehicles. In each, he made a compelling case that the economics are looking good and some important breakthroughs are about to happen.
The Showcase also highlighted three of the most successful clean tech companies in the region. Clean World Partners is manufacturing its waste digester modular systems with several installed locally and a big pipeline of projects 
they are pursuing nationwide. SunOptics provided an update on its diffuser-based skylight system that has become extremely popular—so much so that they have sent four container loads of them to China, something the Showcase crowd really liked to hear. And RCS Technology has shipped over 500,000 of its smart HVAC control units, putting them in products branded GE, IBM, Motorola, Trane and more, such that anyone looking at a smart thermostat at Home Depot is likely to be looking at something with RCS inside. Recognizing this leadership position, this year’s CleanStart Innovator of the Year distinction was awarded to Mike Kuhlmann, the founder of RCS.
In addition to the current successes, the Showcase also introduced seven new startups (or “Fresh Faces”) in the region; of these, DAE Technologies was chosen by the audience as “Best Fresh Face,” due to its new and dramatically lower-cost hybrid battery/ultracapacitor technology. Other Fresh Faces included energy efficiency companies, a biofuel company, a green roofing company, and clean tech app companies. It is always amazing how many new companies emerge each year.
Coupled with four panel discussions, 12 roundtable chats, 18 electric vehicles on display (including the first Tesla Model S in Sacramento) and 80 other exhibits, it was a very full day—and a great window on the clean tech success in the region.
"I will always participate (in the CleanStart Showcase) because everyone involved, from exhibitors to sponsors to volunteers are so positive and upbeat. It is fun and informative."
Connie Vaughn, CPP, RFI Communications and Security Systems
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