DENVER - TelAve -- Colorado Cleantech hosted the Cleantech Innovation Celebration on December 4, 2025 at The Riverside in Boulder, Colorado. The event brought together the cleantech community to honor the creativity, innovation and dedication to a cleaner energy future put forth by Colorado's entrepreneurs, educators, innovators, volunteers and policymakers. The nominated companies were recognized for their resilience and dedication to creating a cleaner world.

Executive Director Laura Hickernell opened the program by welcoming guests, nominees and program sponsors including Cooley LLP, Breakthrough Energy, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Southwest Airlines and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Outstanding cleantech companies and individuals recognized at the 2025 Cleantech Innovation Celebration were as follows:

Breakthrough Cleantech Company Award: Mana Battery

Community Builder Award: Traxion Venture Network

Rising Star Award: Joe Castagneri,  AMP

Startup of the Year Award: Xcimer Energy

Key themes of the night's program were the collaborative nature of the Colorado Cleantech ecosystem and the resilience of the sector during a challenging year. Colorado Cleantech also announced the return of Colorado Climate Week, March 30 through April 3, 2026, building on last year's successful inaugural event. With Colorado now leading the nation in EV adoption and ranking among the top states for renewable energy generation, this year's Climate Week will showcase the momentum driving the state's clean energy transition.

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"Colorado Cleantech is honored to recognize such a dynamic set of cleantech entrepreneurs and advocates for the 2025 Cleantech Awards," said Executive Director Laura Hickernell. "This year has been difficult on many levels for some in our sector, which is why I am grateful to celebrate all that we have accomplished in 2025 and will fuel us for all we are going to do in 2026. Celebrating Colorado's companies and individuals is vital to keep momentum in our cleantech community and promote continued engagement."

About Colorado Cleantech

Founded in 2008, Colorado Cleantech is a statewide organization dedicated to promoting Colorado's cleantech and climate-tech industries. Colorado Cleantech impacts Colorado's policies, people, products and programs that drive expansion of a cleaner, more efficient, and secure energy economy. Through advocacy, public policy leadership, development and education, Colorado Cleantech works to ensure that Colorado is a global cleantech leader. For more information about Colorado Cleantech, visit: http://www.coloradocleantech.com.