Bernie Burgener

Bernie Burgener is a key figure in Georgia's cleantech innovation ecosystem. He currently serves as the Sustainability Director and board member of the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub.4 In this role, he helps startup entrepreneurs succeed in commercializing innovative cleantech solutions.4

Burgener has a long history with cleantech initiatives in Georgia:

1. He was the Executive Director of the Greenhouse Accelerator, which was founded in 2012 to support early-stage cleantech startups through mentorship and connections.12

2. He played a crucial role in the transition from the Greenhouse Accelerator to the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub. Burgener was a founding member of the board of directors for the Hub when it launched in 2023.1

3. As part of the Hub's leadership, Burgener is involved in efforts to strengthen the cleantech innovation ecosystem by creating physical spaces for entrepreneurs, increasing connectivity, educating climate leaders, and amplifying Georgia's innovation culture.2

Burgener's expertise lies in advising and mentoring cleantech startups, helping to create sustainable local jobs, and implementing sustainable practices in the business sector.5 His work aims to make innovation a driver of a robust cleantech economy that creates jobs in growth industries, commercializes technology to combat climate change, and elevates communities throughout Georgia and the Southeast.3