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 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.

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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.

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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.

Innovation crossroads, a two-year fellowship program supported by DOE and Tennessee Valley Authority, is seeking innovative proposals from aspiring clean energy entrepreneurs. The applicants should focus on ideas promoting energy, advanced manufacturing or grid efficiency. The finalists would be eligible for Oak Ridge lab access, research funding and personal living stipend in addition to mentorship and networking with industry experts.

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DOE is soliciting unique solutions to complex wind energy projects from interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students. The competition would challenge students to research, design, and build a turbine for deployment in the high wind environment of Eastern Colorado. In addition, the participants would also be required to financially analyze the wind plant. The students would be imparted real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.

In a bid to promote clean energy companies, NYSERDA has come up with a program opportunity notice (PON) in association with experienced investors. All clean energy firms based in New York state or with a demonstrated benefit in the state are eligible to apply and successful applicants would be entitled to the non-dilutive grant with a recoupment provision. The Fund will make non-dilutive matching investments directly in companies based on a 2:1 ratio of qualifying private capital investment to NYSERDA dollars.

CI Ventures’ capital supports startup or growth-stage enterprises with novel market-based approaches and seeking short-term financing/growth capital. Applicants should demonstrate a viable business model with strong potential for significant environmental and social impacts. The profit generated from chosen enterprises would be used to repay funds and additionally injected into a revolving fund used to continuously reinvest in conservation efforts.

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Halcyon incubator invites early-stage social entrepreneurs to join the 12^th cohort of its 18-month fellowship program. The applications would be judged on the basis of six criteria: Execution, Talent, Solution, Sustainability, impact, and innovation. Selected candidates would receive technical assistance in addition to office space, mentorship and industry access.

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