Virginia is the easy way in

30 representatives from Danish cleantech companies participated in a CCC-workshop at The Royal Danish Library in Copenhagen to learn more about how to commercialise products and business opportunities in the US.

Virginia is one of the states where cleantech is high on the agenda. Greater Richmond Partnership Inc.,  a public/private partnership aimed at improving the region's business climate, gave a presentation on the possibilities in the Richmond area. Besides a proposed offshore wind programme, a new business incubator programme could be of particular interest to Danish companies.

- The Dominion Resources Greentech Incubator programme serves as a soft landing incubator for internationally-based green technology companies seeking to establish operations in the US. The facility offers a post incubation programme specifically designed to assist these firms during the first year or two of their transition into the US market.  The incubator is strategically located only 90 minutes from the Washington DC area with convenient access via Dulles International Airport. All relevant Danish cleantech companies are encouraged to visit this exciting new facility, says Scandinavia Representative with the Greater Richmond Partnership Inc., Andrew Harfoot, who participated in the workshop.

Danes have a lead - but not for long

In his view, the Danish companies are strong in tried and tested technologies but many, if not all, products will have to be 'Americanised' to be successful in the US. A process The Greater Richmond Partnership Inc. can help with free of charge and confidentially. However, our strengths are not given to be ours forever:

- Danish cleantech companies have a significant lead compared to domestic US firms and should be able to capitalise on this if they get 'on the ground' in Virginia soon. However, this lead will decline quickly as US firms catch up.  There is a window of opportunity for the next 5-8 years, Andrew Harfoot states.

Energy Capital of the East Coast

The US has over 600 cleantech companies, half of which are located east of the Mississippi River - primarily in Northern Virginia/Washington DC, New York City and Boston. Especially, these companies have focused on energy infrastructure and energy storage. The current Governor, Bob McDonnell, has announced that his goal is to make Virginia the "Energy Capital of the East Coast".

To find out more about the Greater Virginia Partnership Inc., please go to www.grpva.com or learn more about the new business incubator programme at www.domgreentech.com