The Mentor Capital Network supports entrepreneurs starting or growing for-profit companies that create positive social, environmental, and/or cultural value. Successful applicants receive constructive feedback on their business plans and ongoing relationships with mentors. Some of these relationships lead to investment, but this is not the primary goal of the program.
New York City’s premier cleantech incubator, ACRE, is soliciting solutions to address challenges in transportation, urban technologies, and energy generation. The focus areas of the competition include smart mobility, smart city, and smart grid technologies. In addition to cash, the winners would also be eligible to become members of the incubator.
Please note: Eligibility for this application is limited to U.S. educational institutions.
The Airforce Research Lab (AFRL) is inviting applications to enhance the nation’s war-fighting and peacekeeping capabilities. The 5 overarching technology competencies under focus include electro-optical and infrared sensing (EO/IR), space electronics, space environmental impacts, space operations technologies, and space experiments.
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is soliciting Department of Defense (DoD) funded technologies to enhance public safety and homeland security. The participants should identify the problem, propose technology solutions and assess its market feasibility. The winners would receive benefits namely manufacturing assistance, marketing, and business mentorship.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications for reducing diesel emissions in community areas with poor air-quality. Technologies of interest include the following: exhaust control technologies, remanufacture systems, idle reduction, aerodynamic technologies, certified engine/ equipment replacement, and clean alternative fuel conversion.
The Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) offers mentorship and incubator opportunities for early-stage companies through its two-year Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) program. The program offers participants financial and technical support along with dedicated lab and office space, to help entrepreneurs launch full-fledged businesses.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Manufacturing Office have launched the Innovation crossroads initiative to match aspiring energy entrepreneurs with technology experts, mentors, and networks to bring cutting-edge ideas to the marketplace. This initiative includes fellowship, mentorship, and collaborative R&D funding.
The Los Angeles cleantech incubator (LACI) and the California clean energy fund (CalCEF) are partnering for the California climate cup in order to promote startups with ideas to combat climate change in megacities. The core interest areas include mobility and goods movement, transportation/energy nexus and digital solutions for sustainable cities.
The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center operated DSIRE database provides information on government and utility policies and incentives related to clean energy. Innovators looking out for financing opportunities can use this database to identify states with the best market potential for different technologies
The Incubatenergy Network, a nationwide coalition of leading clean energy technology incubators across the U.S., China, and Europe, provides valuable means to attract investment, refine the business plan, and identify market opportunities.
