Freshly Picked Climate Innovators! See V4C’s Cohort 5
Welcome to For ClimateTalk – For ClimateTech’s monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming opportunities for climate innovators, thought leaders, and community connectors.
Venture For ClimateTech Announces Cohort 5
Venture For ClimateTech (V4C) has selected the next 20 early-stage startups to join its accelerator program dedicated to commercializing impactful climate technologies andpowering the future of clean tech. Participating teams each receive up to $50,000 in non-dilutive funding, as well as one-on-one mentoring and curriculum catered to prepare them for first customer contracts, pilot runs, investors, and business growth. The program, administered by NextCorps and supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), began its virtual programming on Monday, May 19, 2025.
The 20 companies were selected from a pool of 311 applicants across 66 countries. Applicants undergo a rigorous technical evaluation and vetting process, culminating in a pitch to a highly experienced screening committee. The top 40 companies were chosen from the applicant pool to participate in the Venture For ClimateTech Bootcamp, a week of educational programming and exercises to experience what the program is like, while simultaneously being evaluated on performance, materials, and engagement.
Learn more about cohort 5 here.
Funding Opportunities
Springboard 2025 is awarding at least $500,000 in total funding to ecosystem builders that are organizing events, activities, and networking opportunities that strengthen the startup scene in Western New York.
To be eligible, funding requests must focus on:
- Organizing, hosting, producing, or managing events and networking activities for entrepreneurs in WNY
- Creating opportunities for peer learning — including travel to or from other markets
- All activities must include an educational or knowledge-sharing element, such as workshops, speakers, or structured programming related to entrepreneurship, innovation, or ecosystem building
Prizes will range from $5,000 to $100,000, with multiple winners selected by a panel of judges and celebrated at an awards event in late July in Buffalo, NY.
Applicants must have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) and be located in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming counties.
Apply by June 9,2025 here.
New York Fashion Innovation Center Grant Program is Closing Today!
The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC) is closing on June 2, 2025 for Round Two of its statewide grant program. The program funds New York-based businesses, organizations, and individuals working to advance and scale sustainable textile development for fashion and interiors.
NYFIC is planning to award grants that advance New York-based innovation in four key areas:
- Sustainable Fiber Cultivation and Processing for Textile Development
- Next-Generation Biomaterials and Manufacturing
- Textile Supply Chain and Infrastructure Development
- Sustainable Textile Applications for Fashion and Interiors
Learn more and apply here.
Cohort News
Ecolectro and Re:Build Manufacturing Strategic Partnership to Scale Cost-Effective Hydrogen Production
Ecolectro, an alumni from Scale For ClimateTech’s first cohort, announced a strategic partnership with Re:Build Manufacturing to scale and distribute Ecolectro’s anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers across the United States. This partnership enables manufacturers to efficiently produce cost-effective, renewable hydrogen on-site. The scaling of Ecolectro’s advanced AEM electrolyzers will enhance the clean energy sector and better position the United States as a leader in the hydrogen economy of the future.
Read the full release here.
VoltPost Deploys First Publix Charger
Voltpost, the maker of the lampost EV charger, set up its first commercial charger in Oak Park, Illinois. The curbside charger was set up in partnership with the Park District of Oak Park and utility ComEd. The charger is the first of many according to the team with hopes of expanding across the U.S.
Electrek has the full story here.
Ateios Systems Wins TitletownTech’s Startup Draft
Ateios Systems, from Scale For ClimateTech’s fourth cohort, recently won $1 million in investments and $350K in Azure credits at the inaugural Startup Draft hosted by TitletownTech. Ateios Systems offers a chemistry-agnostic platform that eliminates toxic solvents and forever chemicals to enable faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective battery manufacturing. This achievement marks an important step towards Ateios Systems’ vision of scaling its manufacturing techniques, ultimately reducing the carbon footprint of battery manufacturing.
Read the full story here.
Dimensional Energy Secures $5.4 Million USD Contract with Boeing
Boeing has entered into a $7.48 million CAD ($5.4 million USD) agreement with Dimensional Energy to advance the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology. The investment will fund front-end engineering and design for scaling Dimensional Energy’s proprietary processes, aiming to convert 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually into over 3,000 barrels per day of SAF. This collaboration builds on Dimensional Energy’s recent demonstration plant launch in Richmond, British Columbia, and supports Boeing’s reported commitment to decarbonizing aviation through innovative carbon utilization technologies.
Read the full release here.
COMMUNITY
For ClimateTech is On Air
For ClimateTech’s Mike Riedlinger and Jack Baron, along with Chris Thomas from RETRN Bio, recently took the mic on PBS WXXI News’ Environmental Connections with Jasmin Singer to talk about how the For ClimateTech initiatives are helping Rochester and New York State build momentum as a climate tech leader.
Listen to the full episode here.
Venture For ClimateTech Announces 2025 Global Innovation Challenge Winners
Venture For ClimateTech announced the three winners of its 2025 Global Innovation Challenge: EnKoat, Ecorich Solutions Limited, and Ultropia. Selected from nearly 100 applicants spanning 23 countries, these three trailblazing startups are tackling carbon emissions across sectors by rethinking building materials, revolutionizing laundry systems, and transforming household waste into fertilizer. These startups will receive targeted support from the Venture For ClimateTech accelerator program to help validate their technologies, refine go-to-market strategies, and connect with strategic partners. They’ll also benefit from NYSERDA’s resources, including the ClimateTech Expertise Network (CEN), to scale their impact and strengthen New York’s clean energy economy.
Read the full announcement here.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain News
Retool’25: Exploring Opportunities in Energy Innovation
Join us TOMORROW, June 3, 2025 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel for Retool 2025! Connect and collaborate with manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators leading the way with sustainability, energy efficiency and innovation. Leaders in manufacturing and energy suppliers will set the stage on how to help your business with sustainability goals, energy efficiency efforts, and innovation in your manufacturing facility. In addition, there will be a vendor showcase with opportunities to connect with resource providers, suppliers, and consultants.
Find out more and register today here.
Creating a more sustainable supply chain can help your manufacturing business manage risk better, reduce costs, improve customer transparency and purchase decision making, and increase the value you provide to all stakeholders involved in bringing products and services to market.
Join Scale For ClimateTech and the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) for a free Sustainable Supply Chain Webinar designed specifically for New York State manufacturers. The webinar will explore key sustainability elements—such as energy use, emissions, waste, and water—and dive into case studies and tools like supply chain assessments, third-party certifications (ISO 14001, B Corp, TRUE), and zero waste to landfill strategies. Whether driven by internal values or external pressures, this webinar will help your business build a more sustainable and competitive supply chain.
Register and learn more here.
Manufacturing Workforce and Supply Chain Summit Success!
Over 130+ industry leaders, manufacturers, suppliers, and startups came together at NextCorps in Rochester, NY to present and discuss current supply chain needs, changes, and readily available resources in New York state. Presenters from U.S. Navy Maritime Industrial Base, BuildSumarines.com, and General Dynamics Electric Boat shared what it means to be a part of a crucial supply chain for the US Navy to help meet the current demand of new ships and submarines. Although the opportunities to be a part of an international supply chain was a key part of the summit, conversations surrounding workforce development and investing in employees was at the core of the day’s discussions. The Small Business Administration, Monroe County Economic Development, APEX Accelerator, BOCES, and Young Adults Manufacturer Training Employment Program (YAMTEP) all shared best practices and resources available to manufacturers to provide good jobs and a strong workforce.
Manufacturer & Supply Chain Partner Spotlight: Re:Build Optimation
Re:Build Optimation is a multidisciplinary engineering and skilled trades company with a legacy of delivering thousands of successful projects across the U.S. and internationally since 1985. Certified under ISO 9001 since 1990 and a founding member of the Control Systems Integrator Association (CSIA) Best Practices program, the company is deeply committed to quality and continuous improvement. In 2008, Re:Build Optimation launched a New York State-certified apprenticeship program to develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople across five core disciplines. In 2021, the company became part of Re:Build Manufacturing to help revitalize American manufacturing by integrating engineering expertise with high-quality production capabilities. With decades of experience, Re:Build Optimation excels at turning innovative ideas into fully realized, market-ready products.
Find more information and to contact Re:Build start here.
Check Out New Opportunities—Join the New York SCP Database
If you are a manufacturer or service provider interested in joining the Scale For ClimateTech Supply Chain Partner (SCP) Database, which offers access to projects, the ability to extend your expertise by solving challenges, and revenue potential through connections and matchmaking with new clients, fill out our interest form here.