March 12, 2010

The Portland Development Commission is a presenting sponsor of the inaugural Pivotal Leaders network, a community-nominated and peer-selected effort to identify top prospective clean technology business leaders in the Northwest. By establishing a business network of entrepreneurial talent, Pivotal Leaders seeks to expand resources for innovation in clean technology, a sector that is vital to the economic success of the region. The campaign to nominate prospective Pivotal Leaders was launched in late February by Pivotal Investments, with support from a variety of local private and public entities. All nominations must be received by Wednesday, March 17.

“The response to our call for nominations has been excellent,” said Gregg Semler, co-founder of Pivotal Investments. “As we get closer to the deadline, we just want to let everyone know it’s not too late to submit a nomination – or nominate yourself.” To submit a nomination visit: www.pivotal-leaders.com/selection.

Next steps 
Once the nomination period has ended the nominees themselves will help refine the selection to identify the first annual list of Pivotal Leaders. This list will be published online and in a directory in June. A series of events will be held throughout the summer and fall to build and extend connections among the Pivotal Leaders and the Northwest clean tech business community.

“The Pivotal Leaders network will provide unique exposure and opportunities for its members to partner and collaborate with their peers and make connections with other business leaders, potential customers and sources of capital in some of the region’s most successful businesses and organizations,” said Semler.

“I view the Pivotal Leaders network as an essential component of our work in entrepreneurial development,” said Patrick Quinton, PDC Business and Industry Division Manager. “Identifying key leaders in the field of clean technology and giving them an environment in which to flourish is vital to the growth of this industry. It is an innovative approach PDC is very eager to support.”

Pivotal Investments
Pivotal Investments is a Portland venture capital firm investing in companies, primarily in the Northwest, that are delivering solutions in the rapidly growing markets for clean energy, clean water, green materials, sustainable agriculture and clean air.

For more information visit: www.pivotal-investments.com.

For information on the city of Portland’s economic development strategy, visit: http://pdxeconomicdevelopment.com/