San Francisco, Nov. 17th, 2008    Sourced by PRNewswire/Marketwatch

At its 4th Annual Awards Dinner on November 20th, Astia will recognize exceptional women innovators and the investors and mentors who champion their successes. Marrone Organic Innovations is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Pam Marrone, will be among those honored by Astia as the recipient of the 2008 Clean Tech Innovator Award.

Astia is a unique, not-for-profit whose distinct focus and mission is to foster the full participation and leadership of women in entrepreneurship and as accelerators of high growth businesses. Astia provides innovative programs that ensure companies gain access to capital, achieve and sustain high-growth, and develop the executive leadership of the women on the founding team

“With 3% of venture capital being invested in women CEOs and only 5% more going to women founders, the cause to celebrate those who succeed is self evident,” stated Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia. “We’re proud to spotlight Pam Marrone as the exceptional and successful entrepreneur that she is.”  “Astia played an important role in my quest for constructive mentoring and venture funding. The quality of the women and the companies participating in Astia’s programs is second to none,” said Pam Marrone upon learning of the accolade. “I am very honored to be selected for Astia’s Cleantech Innovator award.”

Marrone Organic Innovations (MOI) is Pam Marrone’s third entrepreneurial endeavor in a career devoted to natural and integrated pest management solutions for agriculture. MOI discovers, develops and markets effective and environmentally responsible natural products that focus on unmet needs for weed, pest and plant disease management.

Earlier this year, MOI successfully closed its Series B $11 million private round of financing led by Stuart Mill Venture Partners with co-investment from Contrarian Group. There was also significant participation from Series A investors One Earth Capital, Saffron Hill Ventures, Clean Pacific Ventures, Wavepoint Ventures and prominent local angel investors (including members of the Sierra and Sacramento Angels). The financing is enabling MOI to fund the development and commercialization of its pipeline of more than six natural pest management products.

Marrone Organic Innovations: