After a comprehensive matchmaking process, five innovative energy startups have been selected by members of our Innovators Network for pilot projects in Minnesota.
These projects advance solutions that save energy costs for consumers and businesses, modernize our energy systems for greater efficiency and resiliency, and drive technological advancement across critical sectors.
Flow Environmental Systems
Headquartered: Rogers, MN
Flow Environmental Systems designs and manufactures an innovative CO₂-based heat pump that simultaneously produces chilled water, domestic hot water, and high-temperature heating water from a single unit. Their systems replace multiple traditional HVAC components, reduce carbon emissions, and are built to last 30+ years — helping commercial buildings efficiently meet sustainability goals.
Flow is partnering with Local 455 Pipefitters’ Union to install their CO₂ heat pump at the Union’s training facility in St. Paul, MN.
LiquidCool Solutions
Headquartered: Rochester, MN
LiquidCool develops highly-efficient immersive cooling for data centers. Their systems use patented methods that protect and cool by immersing all components in liquid instead of relying on conditioned air. By eliminating internal fans in enclosures, as well as the need for chillers and air handling systems at the facility level, LiquidCool’s systems can reduce data center energy use by 30% or more compared to installations using air-cooling.
LiquidCool will be partnering with data center solutions provider Vaultas to test their innovative cooling technology at a data center in St. Cloud, MN.
Enspi
Headquartered: Minneapolis, MN
Enspi is an innovative energy solutions company that helps clients protect their operations and manage their energy use, costs, and carbon emissions through easy-to-use software. By leveraging advanced AI algorithms and real-time data, Enspi enables seamless integration of energy and utility assets, load management, and demand response, driving significant cost savings and supporting the transition to a sustainable energy grid.
Enspi is partnering with the Grand Rapids Public Utilities to explore, design, and deploy a Digital Twin of the system’s utility assets providing comprehensive visibility into vulnerabilities, actionable insights, and the capability to easily run simulation scenarios across utility systems.
C-Motive Technologies
Headquartered: Madison, WI
C-Motive Technologies creates sustainable and highly efficient motor technology. Their electrostatic motor technology is over 90% efficient, free of rare-earth magnets or electric steel, and uses 90% less copper than traditional electric machines. By using different physics, C-Motive can change people’s expectations for their motors and deliver an all-in-one system free from gearboxes and active cooling.
C-Motive partnered with Summit Brewing to replace a traditional motor with a one-horsepower electrostatic motor in the brewery’s packaging lines in St. Paul, MN.
EcoSnap
Headquartered: Centennial, CO
EcoSnap provides ductless mini split heat pumps that are easy and affordable to install. Their solution reduces time on site, complexity, and cost to install. EcoSnap’s initial product offering is a single-zone ductless heat pump solution that provides space conditioning comfort and energy efficiency for homes and small commercial spaces. Their vision is affordable and efficient heating and cooling for everyone.
EcoSnap is partnering with Precipitate Architects to install four 9kw mini-split heat pumps into a small, high-efficiency mixed-use building in South Minneapolis.
Become a part of tomorrow's pioneering energy projects
These pilot projects advance technologies critical to modernizing our energy systems while helping Minnesota partners make their operations more efficient and resilient.
are you an industry leader in Minnesota?
are you an energy or cleantech startup?
Made possible by Minnesota Energy Alley
Grid Catalyst’s Demonstration Cohort program is made possible by Minnesota Energy Alley, a public-private partnership funded by the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Energy Division) and led by Clean Energy Economy of Minnesota.
Minnesota Energy Alley was launched in 2024 to drive innovation and secure our state’s energy and economic development future. Through this initiative, the State of Minnesota provides seed funding to enable the pilot projects and prove what’s possible with cutting-edge technologies and regional partnerships.
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