Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators the resources they need to launch and grow successful cleantech businesses. Our one-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem built over the last 10 years of programming spans key cleantech innovation hubs in the U.S., linking labs and universities, service providers, investors, corporations, governments, and other cleantech incubators and accelerators. Through our annual accelerator, we provide between 100-150 companies in the U.S. a rich program of customer discovery, extensive mentoring, training, investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels. Since 2005, more than 70% of our reporting U.S. alumni companies are still operating and have collectively raised over $1.2B in external funding. Join this exciting community and be a part of our global network of innovation.

CalSEED is a $24m grant program created by the California Energy Commission to help early stage California clean energy startups bring concepts and prototypes to market. CalSEED provides Concept Award grants of $150,000 each to 20 – 25 projects each year. Additionally, the CalSEED program holds an annual Business Plan Competition for Concept Award winners. Winners of this Prototype Award competition receive an additional $450,000 in funding.

Learn more about eligibility requirements.

The Venture Summit will honor a select group of more than 100 Top Innovators from the Technology, CleanTech, Life Sciences, Healthcare, and FinTech sectors. These companies will be chosen to present their breakthrough investment opportunities to an exclusive audience of Venture Capitalists, Private Investors, Investment Bankers, Corporate Investors, and Strategic Partners.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued its FY 2020 Phase I Release 2 Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0002146) for the SBIR and STTR Programs.  Qualified small businesses with strong research capabilities in science or engineering in any of the research areas sought in the announcement are encouraged to apply.

The following DOE program offices are participating in this Funding Opportunity Announcement:

• Office of Cyber Security, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
• Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
• Office of Electricity
• Office of Environmental Management
• Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• Office of Fossil Energy
• Office of Fusion Energy Sciences
• Office of High Energy Physics
• Office of Nuclear Energy

Read the full list of DOE FY 2020 Phase 1 release 2 topics.

The Incubation Program offers hands-on incubation services for supporting cleantech startups grow in Southern California. The first six months of the program are dedicated to curriculum workshops, one on one sessions and roundtables focused on Market and Investor Readiness. After the six-month period, the program is focused on achieving the objectives outlined in a custom roadmap around fundraising, product development, market access, team growth, and partnerships.

Candidate Qualifications

Startups must:

• Have a cleantech solution that addresses one of our three priority areas: Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation and Smart & Sustainable Cities: Circular Economy.
• Own or license a novel proprietary technology.
• Have a significant presence (operations or sales) in Southern California with founder or key executive able to attend meetings, workshops and events on campus at short notice.
• Have at least 2 full-time employees.
• Have a working prototype (TRL 4+).
• Commit to all curriculum opportunities in first 6-months.

Cleantech Open is an accelerator that supports entrepreneurs and corporate innovators by providing resources needed to grow a successful cleantech businesses. Applicants receive world-class mentoring, hands-on training investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels and networking opportunities in addition to cash prizes. Major judging criteria include team, technology and market.

The American-Made Solar Prize designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing is accepting applications for its third round. Entrepreneurs with transformative solutions and products to address the problems facing the solar energy industry are requested to apply. The participants would receive access to a diverse and powerful support network that leverages national laboratories, energy incubators, and other resources across the country.

For more information: Click here

The clean energy prize@MIT, a cleantech startup competition aims to identify promising companies and train student entrepreneurs. The competition structured in 4 tracks i.e. Generate, Deliver, Demand and Move, chooses 16 business plans which are eligible for mentoring and support from sponsors and partners. The finalist team be chosen from the 4 semi-finalist teams would be entitled to the grand prize and many more rewards.

For more information: Click here

ARPA-E’s Performance-based Energy Resource Feedback, Optimization, and Risk Management (PERFORM) program intends to quantify grid management risks at the asset and system levels, leading to a transformative grid system with reduced costs and improved reliability. Applicants are expected to give technically relevant innovative solutions targeting areas like: (i) bulk and distribution systems, (ii) centralized and decentralized paradigms, and (iii) vertically integrated utilities, markets, and peer-to-peer transactive energy systems.

For more information: Click here

The Mentor Capital Network (MCN) identifies entrepreneurs with solutions to solve world’s social, economic, and environmental problems and supports by connecting them with peers and advisers from within its network. Interested applicants must go through a 3-tier process involving Business plan review, Challenge calls, Direct fundraising assistance or Indirect support. Selected participants would be eligible for networking with alumni and other forms of assistance.

For more information: Click here

At Clean Energy Ventures we’re beating back climate change through energy innovation. We fund disruptive, capital-light technologies and business model innovations that can reshape how we produce and consume energy. Each startup we invest in has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions between our investment and 2050. Beyond funding, we provide hands-on guidance through dedicated leadership coaching, strategic marketing, IP development, and active board participation. Our collection of 19 Venture Partners guide our startups and enhance our value with their deep technical and operating experience.

Startup Energy Transition (SET) is inviting applications from clean energy startups with innovative technology solutions. The major areas of interest are Energy efficiency systems, Renewable energy materials, Digital energy systems and Smart mobility. The top 100 applicants will be featured in our annual publication which is circulated to investors, corporates and political stakeholders across the globe and the winners would be entitled to prize money as well.