Empower Innovation Network
Empower Innovation strives to accelerate the journey for cleantech entrepreneurs with easy access to funding and development opportunities and curated connections to investors and early stage technology adopters. EFN is a major Empower Innovation Network outreach partner.
Empower Innovation has over 120 funding, pitch and development opportunities that are updated weekly. Join Empower Innovation to save time developing curated funding and business development leads. Membership is free.
Empower Innovation includes five accelerator and seed funding partners which cleantech startups may apply to (see below).
Empower Innovation welcomes everyone who has an interest in cleantech, from startups creating new technology solutions, to companies seeking products or licensing opportunities, to cities and non-profits seeking solutions to help their local communities.
Empower Innovation is an initiative of the California Energy Commission, in partnership with leading California technology accelerators, fellowship programs, nonprofits, and private partners. The Empower Innovation Network is managed by Navigant Consulting, Inc. and iCatalysts in partnership with EFN.
Accelerator and Fellowship Programs .
BlueTech Valley: The Valley Ventures accelerator program helps ventures in the energy-water-agriculture space develop sales, marketing, and funding through workshops, guest speakers, and networking events with industry contacts and potential investors. Apply by August 9, 2019 to join the fall 2019 cohort that begins in September 2019.
CalSEED: The California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative (CalSEED) is an early stage grant funding and professional development program that offers as much as $600,000 per team. CalSEED is administered by CalCEF Ventures, an organization of New Energy Nexus. Join Empower Innovation to be notified when applications open in the spring of 2020 for the next cohort.
Cyclotron Road: Fellows are entrepreneurial scientists and engineers who spend two years embedded in the Berkeley research ecosystem, where we provide them funding, access to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and UC Berkeley, and a program of intensive mentorship, professional development, and networking. Cyclotron Road has awarded more than $15 million to 41 fellows who have gone on to generate more than $80 million in funding to support their projects. Each fall, Cyclotron Road recruits a new cohort of fellows. Sign up for an information webinar.
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator: LACI’s Energy Innovators Program helps clean energy startups in the Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange County regions navigate Southern California’s resources and support network. LACI leverages its expertise and robust network of partnerships to directly foster the clean energy technologies. In the past six years, LACI has helped 73 portfolio companies raise $184M in funding, $220M in revenue, create 1,700 jobs, and deliver more than $379M in long term economic value. Join Empower Innovation to be notified when applications open in the spring of 2020 for the next cohort.
Southern California Energy Innovation Network: SCEIN’s program is for startups based in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties that are developing solutions to help California meet its energy goals. The program, managed by Cleantech San Diego, provides access to the resources of regional partner organizations and offers training and connections with industry in order to accelerate the commercialization of emerging energy technologies. SCEIN accepts applications on a rolling basis.