Apply to the 2022 Cleantech Open accelerator to gain access to a full business development program, that includes expert mentors, investor introductions, industry connections, and a chance to compete regionally and nationally for cash prizes and in-kind services to launch your venture. Compete for $60,000 in cash prizes in the Northeast, and a $50,000 National Grand Prize. The early bird deadline is February 28, and the final deadline is April 17.

A majority of Cleantech Open alumni have survived the merciless technology startup “valley of death” and gone on to raise $1.2 billion and create over 3,000 clean economy jobs.

ARPA-E has announced the third round of funding under the SEED Exploratory Topic. Successful SEED projects should create new paradigms in energy technology and have the potential to achieve significant reductions in U.S. energy consumption, energy-related imports, or energy-related emissions. SEED awards will support research projects that establish potential new areas for technology development and provide ARPA-E with information that could lead to new ARPA-E focused funding programs.

Awards may support exploratory research to establish viability, proof-of-concept demonstration for new energy technology, and/or modeling and simulation efforts to guide development for new energy technologies.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks to empower regions to harness the benefits of a clean energy future. This FOA supports multiple avenues for localities to improve their energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and bolster their local workforce through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) projects for renewable-fueled energy systems and technical assistance to support manufacturers in adopting innovative, smart technologies to help better manage their energy use.

Under this FOA, DOE will provide up to $7.5 million to support activities that drive innovation, deployment, and technical assistance activities for clean energy technologies that are critical for climate protection under two topics:

Topic Area 1: Advanced Technology Demonstration in a Renewably Supplied District Energy System

Topic Area 2: Regional Initiative to Integrate Smart Manufacturing and Energy Management Systems

The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize will provide a total of $2.5 million in funding to up to 10 teams to advance ideas for a just and equitable transition. The winners of Phase One will receive cash awards of $200,000 each. Phase One winners will be eligible to participate in a Phase Two of the prize 12 months later, during which time it is anticipated that a total of $500,000 will be awarded to up to three teams. 

The Department of Energy has released the FY22 Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase 1 Release 2. SBIR/STTR known as “America’s Seed Fund,” provides nondilutive grants to small businesses to help them develop and commercialize technology innovations. The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced topics for the next round of grants. This year’s solicitation is particularly focused on recruiting applicants from underrepresented demographics and also includes a cross-cutting funding opportunity on community partnerships to enable a just and equitable energy transition.

Saint-Gobain, MassCEC, and Greentown Labs recognize the significant role that healthy buildings will play in improving the sustainability of our built environment. The Healthy Buildings Challenge seeks startups with innovative technologies at the prototype stage and beyond that advance building sustainability and wellbeing for building occupants. Our world needs innovation that can optimize for the health of people and the health of the climate, together.

• A structured platform to explore potential partnerships with Saint-Gobain
• Support from Saint-Gobain leaders who will be matched with your team
• $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding
• Mentorship, networking opportunities, and partnership-focused programming
• Exclusive access to the Greentown Labs, Saint-Gobain, and MassCEC networks
• Desk space and membership within Greentown Labs for the duration of the program

The American-Made Challenges (AMC) has launched round 5 of the Solar Prize and is offering two tracks – hardware and software. These tracks will follow the same three-contest structure but compete for separate prizes. Participants have the chance to win millions in cash prizes, support vouchers, and other resources to help them advance in the competition and accelerate the development of their solutions.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) has launched Phase 2 of the Solar Desalination Prize.

This competition strives to help achieve the goals of the Water Security Grand Challenge. SETO is seeking ideas that will accelerate the development of systems that use low-cost solar-thermal energy to produce clean water from very-high-salinity water, like water produced from oil and gas extraction. The clean water produced can be used in municipal, agricultural, and industrial applications.

Contest 1, Innovation, is open to the public. Quarterfinalists will be announced in September 2021 and receive $50,000 each. Contest winners will then continue to the next phases of the challenge and have the opportunity to win millions of dollars over the competition.

Shell UK has announced a new program for energy start-ups – Shell StartUp Engine UK – in partnership with Unreasonable Group (Unreasonable). The program focuses on scale and growth-stage start-ups that are best placed to accelerate a fair and just energy transition, improve access to energy and help consumers make smarter energy choices. CEOs of these start-ups will benefit from high-profile mentorship, access to potential investors and partners, and being part of the Shell and Unreasonable start-up communities.

The program will be delivered over 12 months to give Shell and Unreasonable an opportunity to test new ways of supporting entrepreneurs in the energy space building on Shell’s significant legacy in this area. The program will initially focus on up to 30 start-ups operating in or entering the UK energy market.

Learn more about the programs here.

Have a cleantech idea or startup that will change how we fight climate change and think the Beam Grant will help you take that next step?

Startups who are beginning to build momentum should apply now! If you have incorporated a startup and are in the process of translating your innovation into a first prototype, or demonstrating a physical proof of concept, and can demonstrate access to resources you need to make it to the next stage, you are a strong candidate for this mini-grant.

Are you a founder with a vision to create a real impact? A strong application will be able to describe an informed, well-reasoned rationale for emissions reductions.

Do you have a need for our support? Explain in your application how the  $1,000 award will allow you to advance development. The clearer the plan to use this, and the clearer the value of this support, the more compelling the case.