Competition/Prize

The Business Accelerator Fund (Michigan SBDC)

The Business Accelerator Fund (BAF) is available to participating business accelerators in Michigan’s statewide SmartZone network. These funds are used toward the delivery of specialized services that are not otherwise available from these business accelerators to assist advanced technology companies regardless of the company’s geography. A participating business accelerator will engage a third-party specialist to help advance the client’s path to commercialization, company success, and economic impact for the state of Michigan.

BAF requests are reviewed and awarded through a competitive process. A company may not receive more than $50,000 in BAF services, though most engagements are in the $7,000 to $15,000 range.

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Marine Energy Systems Innovation at Sea

This FOA focuses on innovation of wave energy converters (WECs) for nearshore environments across diverse coastal conditions through long duration at-sea testing and operations (i.e., two weeks to six months) and component/sub-system technology development and testing. It will additionally support commercialization opportunities for novel technologies and a feasibility assessment of an ocean current test facility off the coast of the United States.

WPTO encourages underserved communities and underrepresented groups to participate in this funding opportunity. Applicants are highly encouraged to include individuals from groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math on their project teams. Further, minority-serving institutions, minority business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, or entities located in an underserved community that meet the eligibility requirements described in the funding opportunity are encouraged to apply as the prime applicant or participate on an application as a proposed partner to the prime applicant.

WPTO estimates making up to 14 awards under the Marine Energy Systems Innovation at Sea funding opportunity, ranging between $300,000 and $2,125,000.

Note that a concept paper is due November 4, 2022.

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Community Clean Energy Coalition Prize (American-Made Challenge)

The Community Clean Energy Coalition Prize is a $1.5M multi-phase competition. Awards will be given for new and existing coalitions dedicated to addressing community-identified energy challenges. This will invest directly in community-based organizations to achieve community solutions for clean energy challenges, EERE’s mission, and the DOE’s Justice40 priorities.

Phase I applications are due December 7.

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AgSharks Pitch Competition

Calling all entrepreneurs and startups who are developing innovative solutions in food, agtech and agriculture! Apply today for the 2022 AgSharks Competition, a challenge where startup companies compete for the chance to win a minimum of $250,000 in investment capital and potential access to farm acreage to support the development and growth of their businesses.

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Google Impact Challenge for Climate Innovation

The Google.org Impact Challenge on Climate Innovation commits $30M to fund big bet projects that accelerate technological advances in climate information and action. Selected organizations may receive up to $5M in funding, along with access to Google’s technical expertise and products, to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

Ideas should apply technology by creating or enabling new solutions and approaches. Applications can also propose innovative applications of existing technology – solutions that apply AI and machine learning are encouraged!

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LGES Battery Challenge

The LGES Battery Challenge 2022 is designed to accelerate the adoption of new battery technologies and business models around the world.

Transformative battery solutions in transportation, electricity grids, home storage, and new applications will be the key to unlocking the next stage of the clean energy transition. Having access to safe, clean, and independent energy is becoming universal.

Up to USD $1,000,000 cash prize will be awarded among all winners of the challenge.

Up to 10 selected finalists will be sponsored to participate in a workshop and pitch day with LG Energy Solution researchers, investors, and innovation teams. Selected finalists will have potential opportunities to collaborate with LG Energy Solution on a proof-of-concept pilot project and further investment opportunities.

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ADAPT: Social Innovation for a More Resilient Future in the United States

The new dual-track program, with support from MetLife Foundation, will support 20-24 startups that help communities and individuals adapt to challenges related to climate change, healthcare, wellness, and economic mobility.

Startups will receive mentorship, connections, training and exposure. The top two companies from each track will be selected by their peers to receive $50,000 to further scale their solutions.
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The Planet Life – Project Support

Whether you are an individual with an idea, a climate impact startup, non-profit, established organisation, or volunteer group working on tackling the climate crisis, we’re here to help you find passionate, talented people to get involved with your climate cause through:

Donations – Small actions, big changes. Get your project funded with individual donations.

Skilled volunteers – Find passionate, talented people who want to use their skills and expertise to support projects and create a better planet for all.

Grow your team – Find candidates looking for full-time employment and ready to join your team. Please tell us a little about your organisation, yourself, and which of these types of engagement you’re interested in, and we’ll be in touch shortly to further understand what your needs are and get your project published on our platform.

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Resilience in Climate Equity (RICE) Award

The Resilience in Climate Equity award will be given to outstanding Women of Color in the Climate & Environmental movement. The award is meant to recognize the often hard, diligent, unpaid, and underpaid work of Women of Color in the movement. Preference will be given to Women of Color who have been historically excluded from mainstream environmentalism.

Award winners will receive: a stipend of $5,000, professional coaching, the opportunity to join us for our healing retreat in Belize February 2023, and the opportunity to join us for our first annual Rise to Thrive convening in 2023 and present on the work you do in the Climate, Conservation & Environmental community

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EnergyTech University Prize 2022-2023

Sponsored by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) is a collegiate competition challenging multidisciplinary student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages DOE national laboratory-developed and other high-potential energy technologies. EnergyTech UP awards cash prizes to teams that successfully identify an energy technology, assess its market potential, and propose a strategy for commercialization.

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The Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar

The Sunny Awards for Equitable Community Solar (The Sunny Awards) is a $100,000 prize competition that will recognize community solar projects and programs that employ or develop best practices to increase equitable access to the meaningful benefits of community solar for subscribers and their communities.

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Wood Heater Design Challenge

The Wood Heater Technology Slam provides an opportunity for teams to pitch innovative wood stove ideas to retailers, the public, and panels of expert judges. The expert judges will evaluate participant presentations and score the technologies based on innovation, consistent and low emissions with a focus on a 20% reduction in PM emissions and a 15% increase in efficiency from current EPA certification limits, and commercial potential. It is anticipated that three teams with the highest score will win a $15,000 prize and move forward to the R&D Testing Competition of the 5th Wood Heater Design Challenge.

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