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 demonstration
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 on the horizon in clean energy, now is the time to position Minnesota and the Midwest as the emerging market for innovation, solutions, and deployment.
Grid Catalyst will enable this potential by connecting emerging clean energy businesses to a network of partners representing utilities, higher education, communities and local government, and investors. Starting with our Innovators Network of demonstration partners.
Together, we will find opportunities to demonstrate 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, until we demonstrate it. 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.
Grid Catalyst will work 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.
We have already recruited 13 stellar partners to join our Innovators Network as potential demonstration hosts for our 2022 cohort.
High-Potential, High Impact Categories
Building Electrification
Renewable Thermal
Small Scale Batteries
Controls & Metering
Grid Adaptation
Development Timeline
Development Timeline
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.
Launching in 2021
Cohort applications will open in Fall 2021.
Sign up for program announcements.