An independent expert panel of U.S. and Canadian venture capitalists chooses the winners, which get to present their business cases on a U.S. three-city VC road show (Boston, New York and Silicon Valley) next January and February. Winners will be announced October 7 at the Ottawa Venture and Technology Summit.

Cleantech entry applications were originally due Aug. 29, but the deadline has been extended to Sept. 11. Last year’s winners include solar companies Menova Engineering and Mondial Energy. Click here for this year’s cleantech jury.

“This program is an excellent opportunity to help companies get in front of qualified investors from Canada and the U.S.,” said an OCRI official. “Winning companies have access to financing opportunities, new markets, and potential strategic partners through investment forums and road shows, coaching clinics that refine their corporate pitches, and ongoing support for business development.”