Network for Global Innovation Launched as New Organization Under the Leadership of LACI Co-Founder Fred Walti

Los Angeles, CA – March 20, 2018 – The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), dedicated to creating an inclusive, green economy by unlocking innovation, transforming markets and enhancing community, today announced that the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN) initiative is now a new organization led by Fred Walti, LACI’s Co-founder. NGIN will remain headquartered at the La Kretz Innovation Campus, home to LACI.

Recognizing the importance of international markets to its portfolio companies, Mr. Walti conceived NGIN in 2013 as an initiative of LACI with the mission of interconnecting the world’s leading clean technology innovation institutions to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies. NGIN has accelerated the expansion of start-up companies in more than a dozen global markets, attracted a range of innovative cleantech companies to the U.S. market, and assisted other institutions to build high performance ecosystems in the U.S., Mexico, Finland and Africa.

Mr. Walti stated, “I thank LACI for the opportunity and am honored to carry the baton in this new chapter for NGIN. The global challenges of climate change, coupled with the business opportunities created by the fast-growing clean technology sector, demands a focused effort to build a global commercialization ecosystem. NGIN is dedicated to bridging the ‘Innovation Gap’ that exists between the technology breakthroughs created in national research labs and research universities and the markets that need these innovations most, wherever they might be.”

“Los Angeles is an international city that prides itself on being both a hub for global trade and a leader in innovation,” stated Matt Petersen, President and CEO of LACI. “We are excited to be a founding member of NGIN— it is critical that we unleash the solutions needed to tackle climate change, and the innovation ecosystem is key to our success.”

Walti noted, “NGIN is now an independent global organization with a big vision that we believe is vital to the world’s ‘impact technology’ markets. Our goal is to combat the global challenges of climate change while introducing new business opportunities – especially in developing countries. To do this, we’re envisioning the collaboration of high performing innovation centers in more than 40 countries, all connected and exchanging companies, investors, customers and knowledge.”

About NGIN

The Network for Global Innovation (NGIN), created in 2013, is dedicated to building a global commercialization ecosystem focused on helping clean technology entrepreneurs collaborate and prosper no matter where they reside. NGIN has 21 members in Canada, China, Finland, Italy, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Brazil and the U.S. Its members include premier innovation institutions and take a wide range of forms: incubators, accelerators, technology parks, venture capitalists, universities, non-profits and government agencies. All share a common commitment to sustainable technologies, assisting entrepreneurs, and connecting to the rest of the world.

NGIN is headquartered in Los Angeles at the La Kretz Innovation Center and comprises four programs used by partners in the U.S and internationally.

  1. The International Access Program helps companies enter the US and other global markets
  2. The Innovation Ecosystem Model is an Incubator in a Box blueprint for building high performance economic ecosystems
  3. The International Trade Tour is a series of global trade missions to assist high growth technology companies enter global markets with practical, real world market entry tactics
  4. The International Executive in Residence (IEIR) program provides best practice training to mentors in other incubation and acceleration programs

About LACI

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a private non-profit organization helping to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies and ensuring an inclusive green economy by unlocking innovation, transforming markets and enhancing community. Founded as a cluster-driven economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and its Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. In the past six years, LACI has helped 72 portfolio companies raise $165M in funding, $220M in revenue, create 1,700 jobs, and deliver more than $379M in long term economic value. For more information, please visit http://laci.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @LACIncubator.

NGIN MEDIA CONTACT:
Fred Walti
(323) 854-3332
fred@ngin.org