A clean energy accelerator deploying solutions for northern climate challenges
Grid Catalyst is working to accelerate clean energy deployment by connecting entrepreneurs to project demonstration, mentorship and development, and investments to grow their business.
Accelerating deployment through Innovation
Energy accelerators remove the barriers that keep great ideas and solutions from launching into the market.
Minnesota is uniquely positioned to leverage its robust energy sector, research institutions, and policy environment to become a leading market for clean energy deployment and manufacturing.
With unparalleled investments in clean energy surging, now is the time to act. We must position Minnesota and the Midwest as the emerging market for cleantech innovation, solutions, and deployment.
The Grid Catalyst startup programs will enable this potential by connecting emerging businesses and entrepreneurs to a network of partners representing utilities, higher education, communities and local government, and investors. These connections start with our Innovators Network of partners, who will be working with a new cohort of startups through our PowerNorth Incubator, launching in 2023.
Together, we will find opportunities to advance these vital solutions, and help our startups establish the proof of concept needed to secure investments and deploy climate solutions.
Demonstration
We cannot understand the true potential of innovation, without demonstration of emerging energy solutions. This is easier said than done when big ideas emerge from the lab and struggle to find a partner and a site willing to test something new. Without this stage of demonstration, businesses are left idling at the commercialization valley of death. Let’s change that.
The Grid Catalyst clean energy accelerator works diligently with a growing network of demonstration partners to find the right path and location to help businesses validate their value proposition for future clients and investors.
Our Innovators Network includes 14 partners working to enable demonstration and commercialization.
High-Potential, High Impact Categories
Building Electrification
Renewable Thermal
Small Scale Batteries
Controls & Metering
Grid Adaptation
Grid Catalyst will be the first and only Midwestern clean energy accelerator focused on demonstrating northern climate solutions.
Validate
Major energy producers and users are hesitant to try technologies and solutions that don’t have a track record. Grid Catalyst will work with national-recognized partners to help our cohort businesses with field data validation and findings. Each technology will have a customized validation process.
Invest
Clean energy businesses need investment partners who understand this industry. Deploying in this market requires patient capital and partners with experience in this sector. Grid Catalyst will work with national and global partners with significant experience in clean energy and understand how regulatory, permitting, and manufacturing timelines can impact the deployment process and investment returns.
Build & Deploy
The Midwest is mobilizing major change in the energy sector. Job growth is strong in wind, solar, energy efficiency, and other categories in the clean energy economy. As we transition from fossil fuels, we are creating immense opportunities for good jobs, but we need to plan for how these jobs can stay in the Midwest and serve as transition opportunities for those leaving other waning industries. Grid Catalyst is working closely with industry and labor partners to identify opportunities to grow more clean energy jobs for this region.
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