Commitment to Impact
Transformative Solutions for
Northern Climates
Grid Catalyst is the first and only Midwest clean energy accelerator focused on demonstrating and scaling innovative solutions for northern climates.
The lack of demonstration opportunities can be devastating to clean energy startups and limits our potential to commercialize the next generation of emerging technology. These conditions limit innovation, and reduce market competitiveness. They also leave us dependent on other markets to design and then adapt to our northern climate conditions, which can delay technology from being Minnesota-ready for years.
Our program addresses this hurdle by establishing the partnerships necessary to demonstrate and commercialize impactful clean energy solutions. The cohort startups will work with our Innovators Network to test and deploy solutions focused on reducing carbon and saving energy.
Grid Catalyst Vision
- Make MN a go-to market for clean energy & climate technology
- Elevate diverse leadership & access Establish a market pathway through demonstration
- Support early-stage innovators
Attract new investors to the region - Increase & diversify clean energy jobs Catalyze regional manufacturing & assembly
Accelerator Program Sponsors
Equity & Access Program
This collective will be working in partnership with the Center for Economic Inclusion to shift the clean energy and startup paradigm to create greater access and support for diverse founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders through the Grid Catalyst accelerator program and Innovation Hub.
We need to do more to create pathways for diverse leaders and founders in order for Minnesota to continue to grow this sector, evolve the clean energy solutions critical to solving climate change, and compete for talent and investment in our future.
2022 Programming in Partnership with the Center for Economic Inclusion
Establish regional metrics for founder demographics.
Gather insights from stakeholders on the founder experience.
Connect industry & higher ed partners elevating diversity.
Develop inclusive programming and resources for founders.
Connect founders with local and national support network.
Continue prioritizing diverse founders in our accelerator programs.
Equity & Access Sponsors
Clean Energy
Innovation Hub
With unprecedented investment being considered for clean energy and climate tech, we need to make sure the next wave of innovation has a pathway to success in Minnesota.
Our region is currently lacking resources and programming specifically designed for clean energy and climate entrepreneurs, startups, and those with big ideas who have not yet found the platform for launching.
We also know that there are gaps in resources and opportunities for diverse founders in STEM and clean energy that need to be addressed as we build out these pathways.
The Clean Energy Innovation Hub will become an open and collaborative resource and platform to address these gaps and opportunities.
- Creating an inclusive resource hub for entrepreneurs to develop ideas & build their network.
- Spurring collaboration and partnership between clean energy leaders, government partners, startup programs, higher ed, and entrepreneurs.
- Provide programming & resources to students and early-stage innovators, including pitch events, entrepreneur resources, and mentorship.
- Establish a one-stop platform to support clean energy innovation, investment, and pathways to launch and scale innovation.
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