Thomas R. Burton III and Sahir Surmeli, Co-Chairs of the Energy Technology Practice of Mintz, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., will serve on a panel of judges at the 2016 Cleantech Open Northeast Regional Finals. The final round of the competition is taking place on October 27 in Boston.

Mr. Burton and Mr. Surmeli will join a panel of six judges to evaluate the startup semifinalists and select the competition’s finalists. 

“Mintz is proud to sponsor a program that encourages today’s entrepreneurs to create innovative solutions for today’s problems,” says Mr. Surmeli. “We are thrilled and honored to be working with these inspiring startup companies and helping them achieve their goals.”

Founded in 2005 by three MIT alumni, the Cleantech Open is a global accelerator for early-stage clean technology startup companies. It finds, funds and fosters entrepreneurs tackling the world’s biggest social, economic and environmental problems and has helped to develop a global ecosystem around cleantech innovation. The organization runs an annual six-month program to connect startups with the people, resources, and visibility to help them succeed.

Mr. Burton’s practice focuses on complex corporate finance matters including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity, and securities transactions. He represents high-growth and emerging businesses, including companies in the energy and clean technology, social media and software industries, from start-ups to public companies. Mr. Burton is ranked by Best Lawyers in America in the Corporate Law section, and he is recognized by The Legal 500 United States as “rising to the fore” in energy technology for Venture Capital and Emerging Companies. In 2004, he founded the firm’s Energy Technology Practice, which serves more than 250 clients. Since 2006, the firm’s Energy Technology Practice has completed more than 400 transactions in this sector totaling over $7 billion. 

Mr. Surmeli represents emerging growth and established energy technology, information technology, life sciences and retail companies, investors and investment banks in public offerings and private financings, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. He is listed among the Top 100 Cleantech & Renewables Lawyers by Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy. He has also been listed as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer from 2014-2016.

Mintz is also a Regional Silver Sponsor of the Cleantech Open Northeast.