When Gov. Maggie Hassan cited the Green Launching Pad as a budget priority last month, it was an important sign to GLP project director Venky Venkatachalam. He believes Hassan's support of the "innovation ecosystem for New Hampshire entrepreneurs" will help take the GLP to its next stage.

A UNH business accelerator called the Green Launching Pad (GLP) has proven over its first two years that it’s possible to foster sound stewardship of the environment and boost the state’s economy by successfully launching 14 “green” businesses—in renewable energy, green manufacturing and energy efficiency.

As it enters its third year, the GLP will continue to support energy entrepreneurship and offer valuable internships to students while transitioning from a public grant-funded enterprise to a privately funded one.

The Green Launching Pad will host a community forum on sustainability and entrepreneurship Feb. 22, 2012, at the University of New Hampshire Memorial Union Building. The event, held in the Granite State Room from 6 to 8 p.m., is open and free to the public.

In addition to educating our future workforce, our public colleges are economic engines in other ways. Two years ago, we partnered with the University of New Hampshire to create The Green Launching Pad. The Launching Pad works directly with start-up companies and entrepreneurs, connecting them with faculty and students to provide expert assistance, and with business mentors and angel investors. Since its inception, the Green Launching Pad has helped to launch 11 companies in New Hampshire, and every one of those companies has created jobs.

Now, University of New Hampshire professor and GLP Project Director A.R. "Venky" Venkatachalam said the focus for this last round of stimulus grants is on manufacturing.