The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 10 organizations to receive $9.5 million in total grants to help entrepreneurs bring clean-energy technology ideas from the laboratory into the commercialization phase through startup accelerator and incubator programs.
DOE said Friday the awards represent the second round of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters, a two-part initiative led by its technology transition office and meant to drive regional ecosystems as the White House aims to meet net-zero emission goals by 2050.
“This funding fills a critical need for targeted financial support to incubators and accelerators that provide an opportunity for aspiring energy entrepreneurs looking to fight climate change, create jobs, and empower underserved communities," said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Regents of New Mexico State University, Colorado State University and the U.S. Research Impact Alliance will each receive $1 million.
The New Energy Nexus will aim to build statewide energy storage hardware with a $992,970 grant while the Midwest Regional Innovation Partnership under the Clean Energy Trust will use its $909,411 award to support technology startups in the region.
Syracuse University's Energy Program Innovation Cluster for Equity and Health in Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings secured a $750,000 award to help businesses further develop energy products for the building sector. DOE awarded $882,999 to Launch Alaska and $999,704 to E4 Carolinas to encourage hardware development.
The Northwest Cleantech Innovation Network of VertueLab in Portland will aim to introduce assistance programs for cleantech startup companies using a $999,613 grant. In Oct. 2020, 20 organizations received $1 million under the first part of the EPIC program.
