Award Categories

These awards will be given to for-profit and nonprofit companies with the highest overall point total in each segment. If your organization is creating breakthrough innovation and growth, then this is the category for you.

• Enterprise: For companies with over 1,000 employees
• Small- and Medium-sized Businesses (SMB): For companies with 100+ employees
• Startup: For companies demonstrating fast growth and successful market penetration in just one year. Eligibility: must have between $1 – $25 million (USD) revenue per year.
• Nonprofit: For companies of any size.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

The Community Giveback award distinguishes corporate teams that enact impactful programs that give back to their communities in a pandemic or crisis. All corporate organizations are encouraged to participate. 

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

The Keep the Power On award recognizes utilities for their commitment to ensuring energy capacity meets demand in communities across the nation. These are truly forward-thinking utilities who are diversifying offerings to support their communities through clean and sustainable solutions. All utility organizations are encouraged to participate. 

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

This award goes to the woman who shows exceptional leadership, innovation, and mentorship in the cleantech industry. All organizations are encouraged to nominate a leader that fits the description. Individuals may also nominate themselves.  

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

All organizations are encouraged to participate. Individuals may also nominate themselves.  

• Under 30: For young professionals who show exceptional leadership and desire to grow their career in the cleantech industry.
• Under 40: For mid-career professionals who show exceptional leadership and desire to grow their career in the cleantech industry.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

We are spotlighting trailblazers that serve as mentors and champions for younger professionals. If you know an individual who fits this description, then submit to this category!

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

We are recognizing college-level students (individual or group) who are making an impact in cleantech through coursework, capstone research projects, and various competitions.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

The Pioneer in New Technology is open to individuals and/or organizations who manufacture, design, engineer and/or promote cleantech solutions.

The eligibility period is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021 and applies to products that launched or deployed during this time. If the product has not yet deployed, please share the solution’s potential for success.

Now more than ever before, we need to celebrate initiatives that impact communities, corporations, and industries for the better. Campaigns that promote clean, renewable energy and take the stance to improve energy efforts for the common good deserve recognition.

This award aims to recognize companies that have accelerated the development of renewable energy and are working to support efficiency and renewable energy research.

Judges will be looking for companies that have produced innovative strategies that have pushed us forward in progressing to a green economy.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

Investment Leader of the Year

This was a monumental year for cleantech and renewable energy investment. As the larger names are getting involved and bigger deals are getting finalized, we are looking to recognize the movers and shakers who invested in unique and noteworthy projects, technology, products, and campaigns. 

• Corporate: This award is open to all companies who made investments in the energy sector. Entries should highlight the incorporation of ESG, cleantech, or renewable energy into their asset classes. 
• Individual: This award is open to non-CEO executives or senior management leaders. Judges will be looking for individuals who invested in incorporating ESG into asset classes including fixed income, listed and private equity, debt funds, multi asset funds, infrastructure funds, and fund of funds. Entries should focus on unique and noteworthy projects, technology, products, and campaigns that made significant impacts within the company.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

Businesses are increasingly turning to CSR to make a difference and build positive brand recognition around their company. The purpose of corporate social responsibility is to give back to the community, take part in philanthropic causes, and provide positive social value. Focusing on CSR efforts that accelerate a clean energy future are especially important. 

This award is open to all companies in the cleantech/renewables industry. 

Judges will be looking for companies that have emphasized growth and profitability in the renewable energy and cleantech fields through intentional business practices without compromising people, the planet, or the economy.

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

Our Diversity Awards recognize individuals and organizations that lead with DE&I initiatives and programs. Show us how governance and diversity, equity and inclusion are woven into the fabric of your mission and values.

• Corporate Award: Show us how your organization developed, promoted, and executed DE&I initiatives that are making a difference. We’ll shine a spotlight on the efforts that kept employees involved and engaged, even during a pandemic. Applies to internal and external programs.
• Individual Award: Let us know how a leader at your organization significantly contributed to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.  

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

We are spotlighting leading industry storytellers. Storytellers are some of the most revered and respected members of our industry. We rely on up-to-the-minute reporting to keep us informed of the news that matters. And there is no short supply on in-depth and profile reporting of the myriad of community members and innovation points. Nominate your favorite journalist, and we can shine a light back on their support of the industry!

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

Nominate the media outlet that you use as your “go to” source for industry news. We will turn the judging over to our community!

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.

From developers, investors, financial and legal experts to the corporate buyers and many more, it takes a village to get a project secured and started. Nominate projects that create better, healthier, and more sustainable communities and drive us to reduce climate impact. We will turn the judging over to the community!

The eligibility period to qualify for consideration as an honoree for the 2021 The Cleanie Awards® is between January 1, 2020 to April 22, 2021.