[New Program] GridReady: Connecting energy startups to pilot opportunities with Minnesota's leading utilities. Learn more and apply by June 26 →
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May 21 & June 11 – GridReady Startup Info Sessions
Are you a startup looking for a utility pilot opportunity?
Join us for an information session to learn more about the GridReady program, get more details on the priority technologies our utility partners are seeking, and determine your readiness to apply.
🗓️ May 21 Info Session (3:00 PM Central Standard Time) – Register now
🗓️ June 11 Info Session (11:00 AM Central Standard Time) – Register now
October 19 – 2026 Minnesota Energy Innovation Summit
Last year, over 300 innovators from across Minnesota’s energy ecosystem gathered for the Summit – Fortune 500s, utilities, startups, legislators, community leaders, builders, financiers, students, and more – all working to build our state’s energy future.
This year, we are raising the bar.
We are thrilled to announce that Jigar Shah – entrepreneur, investor, strategist, and one of the country’s most influential voices shaping the future of energy – will be joining us as this year’s keynote speaker.
If you are a part of driving Minnesota’s energy and electrification future forward, this is the event you do not want to miss.
Based on last year’s turnout, we expect to sell out this year’s event. Ticket prices will go up starting June 1.
Previous Events
December 11 – [Webinar] Bridging the Energy Innovation Gap: What Utility-Startup Partnerships Need to Succeed
How do we move energy innovation from lab to deployment at the pace needed to meet today’s urgent energy challenges? Join us for a conversation about unlocking the potential of utility-startup partnerships to drive the energy transition.
Grid Catalyst and the University of Minnesota will present new research on the barriers slowing utility adoption of emerging technologies in the United States and example strategies being deployed across the country to overcome them.
Then, a panel of Minnesota-based utility and startup leaders will share first-hand perspectives on the realities shaping what’s possible:
- Jennifer Cady, Vice President of Public Policy & External Affairs at ALLETE, Inc. (parent company of Minnesota Power)
- Jeff Haase, Director, Member Services, DERs & End Use Strategy at Great River Energy
- Ryan Fedie, Utility Energy Advisor and Founder of Axelergy
- Sophia Wennstedt, Battery Startup Founder | Climate and Energy Advisor – University of Chicago
This research was made possible through the support of the IN2 Innovation Incubator, a partnership between Wells Fargo and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
October 13 - 2025 Minnesota Energy Innovation Summit
Over 300 innovators from across Minnesota’s energy ecosystem gathered to build our state’s energy future. Our state’s deep expertise and steadfast commitment to the energy transition were on full display.
As ALLETE President & CEO Bethany Owen shared in her opening address: “Let’s continue to push boundaries, to collaborate and learn, to innovate and to lead with courage, because the future of energy isn’t just about technology, and it certainly shouldn’t be political. It’s about people.”
Couldn’t make it? Watch the event recap plus recordings of the opening and closing sessions and our 2025 Demonstration Cohort Startup Showcase. View the video playlist →
Minnesota Cleantech Innovation Summit
Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners, speakers, and attendees for an incredible three days of energy and cleantech ecosystem building.
Check out our event playlist to view the expert speakers and panels. Short on time? View our highlight reel.
To learn more about our 2024 Demonstration Cohort and 2025 Demonstration Cohort Finalists, visit our startup portfolio page.
Founder Curious 2024
The Founder Curious event is an opportunity to learn more about the experiences of diverse founders and consider your own potential journey in entrepreneurship.
For the July 2024 event, we were honored to feature Dwayne Caldwell (Enspi), Abby Finis (Local Climate Solutions), and Bob Blake (Native Sun Community Power Development).
Thanks to our event sponsor – Full Stack Saint Paul and our event co-hosts WRISE Twin Cities (Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy) and the AABE – MN Chapter (American Association of Blacks in Energy).
Intro to Entrepreneurship - June 12, 2024
This workshop, led by Angel Even, Led By Truth was designed to equip entrepreneurs at all stages with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to transform your business idea into reality.
Overview:
- Entrepreneurship Basics: Learn the steps to starting your own business.
- Business Planning 101: Understand the basics of identifying your market to financial strategies.
- Idea Validation: Discover how to improve and evolve your business idea.
Energy 101 - May 22, 2024
As part of our Pathways program we want more innovators to recognize the entrepreneurial opportunities in the energy sector, but increasing understanding of energy basics, how the energy sector is transitioning, and the new business opportunities this is creating.
Thanks to our presenter, Aaron Hanson from the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment (IonE) where he is the Energy Program Specialist for Leadership and Education.
Cleantech Connections - Reverse Pitch
View the Recording
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