DeltaClimeVT climate economy accelerator seeks entrepreneurs for Energy 2024 cohort

The DeltaClime^VT climate economy business accelerator is seeking innovative, start-up and/or seed stage, energy companies offering innovative products or services aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to help Vermont meet its climate goals.

During Energy 2024, entrepreneurs will work directly with Vermont utilities who are looking to deploy innovative services and technologies to contribute to Vermont’s 90% renewable by 2050 and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals over three months of intensive work sessions, including two online and two in-person intensive sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with mentors.

“We are particularly interested in start-ups addressing the decarbonization of buildings, transportation, heating and industrial processes through electrification, biofuels, thermal energy networks or other renewables with a particular focus on load management controls integrated with storage, heat pumps, electric vehicle charging equipment and building systems,” said Geoff Robertson, DeltaClime^VT Managing Director at the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). “Ventures that address energy burden for under-represented and low to moderate income populations are of particular interest.”

This will be the eighth cohort for the accelerator program, managed by VSJF, that will bring together 7-10 early-stage energy companies from across the U.S. and Canada to work together over three months to complete a world-class ecosVC Lens of the Market® ACCELERATED curriculum while competing for a $25,000 non-equity prize for the top venture. The program also features paid pilot opportunities; extensive peer feedback; connections with potential customers, partners, and mentors; and exposure to investors.

Examples of technologies or services could include but are not limited to:

• Smart building technologies such as building controls, dynamic EV charging equipment (V2X), heat pump load management, storage and other devices that can align with utility demand response signals and support data verification;
  • Especially technologies that can overcome communication challenges with limited broadband access, cellular networks, and radio signals with a particular focus on open ADR (due to mountainous terrain);
  • Especially lower cost solutions where aggregator integration costs and software fees are affordable for smaller utilities with fewer connected/controlled devices;
• EV and EV charging services and technologies related to V2G/V2H/V2X, commercial EV fleet services and telematics;
• Thermal energy network technologies and services with a focus on community scale systems utilizing waste heat and/or ground source heat pumps;
• Service models designed to eliminate engagement and participation barriers for underserved customers and encourage whole home decarbonization; and/or
• DIY electrification opportunities that relieve the need for contractors.

To learn more about DeltaClime^VT Energy 2024 and apply, visit deltaclimevt.com. Application period ends February 5, 2024.

About DeltaClime^VT – A Climate Economy Business Accelerator

The DeltaClime^VT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on energy and climate economy innovation in the energy sector. The program provides an intense accelerated learning and business development process designed to test assumptions, expose and remediate business vulnerabilities, prepare for significant investment, and provide a platform for rapid scaling. As a proven leader in sustainability, Vermont offers participants access to a large number of entrepreneurial climate economy and energy experts throughout the program. The program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). deltaclimevt.com

About Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

In addition to offering the DeltaClime^VT business accelerator to startup and seed stage entrepreneurs, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) provides business assistance, value chain facilitation, network development, and strategic planning to a wide range of stakeholders in the agriculture and food system, forest product, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology sectors. Located in Montpelier, Vermont, VSJF was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont. www.vsjf.org