Monthly Archives: March 2012

Educate yourself before locking in an energy deal

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Judith Nemes

Phil Nevels, co-founder of Power2Switch, says to educate yourself before locking in an energy deal. Business owners who want to swap their old standby energy provider for a newer player in the deregulated Illinois electric power market will find a … Continue reading →

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This week’s Green Scene column in Crain’s Chicago Business: Impact investors target Midwest farmland to grow more organic food — and portfolios, too

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Judith Nemes

David Miller is among a relatively new breed of financiers targeting investments in the local, sustainable farming sector. Last week, the UIC Forum in Chicago was transformed into the Good Food Festival & Conference, where more than 3,500 people engaged in the … Continue reading →

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This week’s Green Scene column in Crain’s Chicago Business: Home design showroom aims to be a green beacon to designers, homeowners

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Judith Nemes

The Green Home Chicago showroom Karen Kalmek calls herself a late bloomer. She waited till her fifties to launch a business of her own that combined her interests in art, saving the planet and job creation. But Ms. Kalmek’s decision … Continue reading →

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This week’s Green Scene column in Crain’s Chicago Business: Food hubs aim to connect small producers with large-scale customers

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Judith Nemes

The growing popularity of food hubs is creating new market opportunities for entrepreneurs. A food hub is a wholesale distribution network that connects small and medium-sized producers of local food to large-scale food companies, institutions, schools and other buyers. They … Continue reading →

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Two Midwest startups clean up at Clean Energy Challenge

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Judith Nemes

A Northwestern University student-run group and a Wisconsin startup in the renewable-energy sector walked away with $100,000 apiece as the top winners in Thursday’s Clean Energy Challenge held in Chicago. Hyrax Energy, based in Wisconsin, took home the grand prize … Continue reading →

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This week’s Green Scene column in Crain’s Chicago Business: Startups compete for cash in today’s Clean Energy Challenge

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Judith Nemes

The second annual Clean Energy Challenge convening in Chicago today will send home more startup winners than last year with about twice as much in cash prizes, too. The highlight of today’s day-long event will be fast-pitch presentations from eight … Continue reading →

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