NextCorps to operate cleantech accelerator
NextCorps has been chosen to launch one of two clean tech accelerators in the state receiving $10 million over five years, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority said. The second accelerator will be operated by NEX-NY in Brooklyn.
The accelerators will offer a mix of support services for clean energy companies including seed money to build or grow a clean energy business. The announcement is in line with the state’s goal for an 85 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Green New Deal, a clean energy and climate agenda to set New York on a path to economy-wide carbon-neutrality.
“Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, innovation will continue to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The accelerators send a strong signal to entrepreneurs and companies that think outside the box — New York State is here to help energy innovators grow and thrive as we build stronger, cleaner communities to benefit all New Yorkers, especially now, as we look ahead to jump-starting the economy following the Covid-19 pause,” said Alicia Barton, president and CEO of NYSERDA.
The accelerators, built upon NYSERDA’s previous proof-of-concept centers, will work to expand the number of companies supported, enabling NYSERDA to catalyze its climate impact solutions even faster. Together, the new accelerators will have diverse focus areas across all clean energy technologies and markets – such as advanced buildings, energy storage and fuel cells, smart grid, industrial energy efficiency, renewable electricity and fuels, and clean transportation – to help with the specific needs of participating companies. The goal of the accelerators is to ultimately broaden the number of clean energy startup companies operating in New York State as the state grows a clean energy economy.
As significant numbers of clean energy technologies evolve from colleges and universities, the NextCorps accelerator will partner with campuses to advance and facilitate company launches. The accelerator will also build a statewide mentor and advisory network that specializes in supporting new startups get their products to market successfully for greater scale and deployment into our energy systems and infrastructure.
The NEX-NY Accelerator will be funded at $6 million over 30 months and support existing high potential clean tech companies with commercialized products. NEX-NY will support these cleantech companies to rapidly scale their corporate capacities, grow their businesses and expand their customer base. The NEX-NY accelerator will recruit cleantech companies from across the globe to facilitate relationships with potential corporate partners and investors, and enable their impact on New York State’s clean energy economy.
The accelerators are part of a comprehensive suite of services available for clean energy companies in New York State. NYSERDA offers entrepreneurs and innovators a complete roadmap starting from the idea-stage and leading to full scale market adoption that makes New York State one of the best places in the world to start and scale a clean energy company.