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 Keeling Curve Prize is accepting applications for the prize from innovative climate change solutions in the areas of Capture & Utilization, Energy, Finance, Social & Cultural Pathways, and Transport & Mobility. Each year the Keeling Curve Prize gives out 10 awards of $25,000 each.
76West is an unparalleled competition focused on growing entrepreneurs and attracting resources from the U.S. and around the world to build clean energy businesses and jobs in New York State’s Southern Tier region. Each year, 76West awards one grand prize winner of $1 million, and three $500,000 awards, all payable in increments based on specific milestone accomplishments. Along with a cash prize, competition organizers will also seek to provide additional specialized support based on the winners’ business goals. Winning clean energy startups that are located outside of New York State will need to demonstrate economic impact in one of four ways to meet prize requirements. See competition details to learn more.
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:
Read the full list of DOE FY 2020 Phase 1 release 2 topics.
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
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.
The John Merck Fund (JMF) focusses exclusively on supporting clean energy transitions in New England by supporting clean tech initiatives in the area. The major goals of the fund include reduction of New England’s greenhouse gas emissions to 20% by 2022 and 80% by 2050 to make the region a leader on climate solutions. The specific areas of interest include modernization of electric power system, adoption of electric vehicles and supporting energy infrastructure.
Since 2013, IncubateMass has provided funding to Massachusetts incubators with the goal of growing the clean energy innovation ecosystem and commercializing cleantech startups through incubator membership. This funding supports incubator activities such as
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.
For more information: Click here
