A new CleanTech programme is being launched by Cambridge Cleantech and Future Business in the UK to support the growth of start-up and early stage companies in the dynamic environmental goods and services sector.

The programme provides 12 hours of free support to CleanTech companies tailored to their own particular needs and could include coaching and mentoring, identifying finance and marketing and business planning.

The programme is being run in conjunction with CleanTech sector support companies CambridgeIP and Autodesk.

Qualifying companies can secure a Free 12 months' subscription to CambridgeIP's BolivenPro patent search and collaborative work platform and access to world-class software through the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program to design, visualise, and simulate their groundbreaking ideas through the creation of digital models and prototypes.

Companies attending the programme to date include Strategic Environmental Consulting Ltd, Cambridge Carbon Capture Ltd and Doctor Energy.

The programme is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund and is open to environmental goods and services companies from across the East of England region.

Garratt said: “Our vision is to help make Greater Cambridge one of the leading cleantech communities in Europe and in so doing herald the third wave of the Cambridge hi-tech cluster.

“The CleanTech sector is extremely vibrant around Cambridge, but as the market is emerging and developing, many of the leading edge technologies and innovations are also new and at an early stage.

The Cleantech Growth Programme is designed to help start-up and early stage companies by providing support such as executive coaching and mentoring, marketing and business planning and the all important, identification of financing options.”

Interested companies should contact Martin Garratt, chief executive of Cambridge Cleantech on 07789 922487 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Martin Garratt.