Two Iowa startup companies have advanced to the finals of a prestigious energy business plan competition, the Clean Energy Challenge, which culminates next month in Chicago. Urbandale-based Igor Inc. was named an Early Stage Finalist and Advanced Renewable Technology International Inc. (ARTi) at Iowa State University was named a Student Finalist. Igor has developed a power-over-ethernet lighting, sensor and data system. ARTi manufactures activated biochar and carbon membranes from agricultural residues such as corn stocks, soybean remnants and grasses that are used in filtration applications. Winning companies in three categories will be chosen by a panel of judges during the 2015 Clean Energy Challenge April 14 in Chicago to be awarded a total of $1 million. This year is the first time that Iowa has been included in the Midwest competition, through an agreement with the Iowa Energy Center in partnership with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Innovation Corp. Read an article about Igor on BusinessRecord.com.