By: Joe Castaldo

UPDATE: The Clean 15 website has been swamped with traffic the past few days, which has caused some technical difficulties in processing online applications. Those who submitted applications over the past three days need to re-apply by emailing info@clean15.com to receive an application form in Word format. Fill it out and email it back to info@clean15.com to ensure it is processed. New firms that wish to apply should follow the same method.

Less than two weeks remain to enter the Clean 15 competition, put on by Drayton Weissenfels and Canadian Business magazine. The contest is designed to help aspiring clean tech firms connect with potential customers and become leaders in the field. That kind of success is more than possible for Canadian clean tech companies. Just a few days ago, Ottawa-based Lixar, a low-key energy management company that has nonetheless attracted interest from its peers, had its energy business scooped up by GridPoint in Virginia for an undisclosed amount.

All aspiring firms should enter the competition by July 13. The winning company will win services valued at $60,000—including face time with execs from Fortune 500 companies looking for clean tech opportunities. Full contest details, rules, and more info on the sponsors (which also include Yet2.com, OCETA, and Ricardo McRae) are available here.