Climate Tech News to Put a Little Spring in Your Step
Welcome to For ClimateTalk – For ClimateTech’s monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming opportunities for climate innovators, thought leaders, and community connectors.
Scale For ClimateTech Announces Cohort 6
Last month, Scale For ClimateTech (S4C) launched its 6th Cohort, selecting 19 innovative companies representing a variety of sectors and tackling challenges ranging from drastically improving lithium processing technology to making the global transition to a carbon-negative environment more affordable. Over the next six months, these companies will receive immersive training on manufacturing and access to an extensive network of mentors, experts, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and more.
Since kicking off on April 1, participants have already connected with potential mentors and Advisory Board members, and will continue twice-weekly workshops throughout April to develop their manufacturing roadmap projects.
You can learn more about the companies of Cohort 6 here.
Funding Opportunities
Applications for the 2025 Urban Future Prize Competition Are Closing April 28, 2025
The Urban Future Prize Competition seeks entrepreneurs who are building startups that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable planet. Two prizes of $50K each will be awarded to two companies that embody the drive and mission needed to address the greatest challenge of our time. For the first time, there are two distinct prize tracks for this year: Climate Mitigation and Climate Adaptation.Â
The Climate Mitigation Prize seeks startups developing technologies or business models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the root causes of climate change.Â
The Climate Adaptation Prize is for startups developing solutions that help communities and ecosystems adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Learn more and apply here by April 28, 2025.Â
2025 Manufacturing Grants Round 2: Startup Companies Is Now Open
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund Manufacturing Grants are designed to encourage collaboration between not-for-profit organizations and small to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York State. Awards are up to $65,000 each. The grants serve as a resource to help companies achieve success from early stage, proof of concept, through maturity. The partnership created by the not-for-profit organization and the industry partner serves as a pathway to technology transfer, adoption and implementation of new manufacturing processes, as well as the creation of enhanced products and services.
Application Period Closes May 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. Learn more and apply here.
The Grow-NY Food & Agriculture Startup Competition is Now Open!
Grow-NY is a business competition focused on growing an enduring food and agriculture innovation cluster in the Grow-NY region. The competition attracts innovative, high-growth food and agtech startups from across the globe and engages them in the region’s rapidly-growing startup ecosystem.
Finalists will pitch their food and agtech business ideas for a chance to win up to $1 million. A total of $3 million will be awarded to seven food & agtech startups.Â
Learn more and apply here.
Calling Sustainable Fashion Startups: Round Two of the New York Fashion Innovation Center Grant Program is Open
The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC) is now accepting applications 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 DevelopmentÂ
Next-Generation Biomaterials and ManufacturingÂ
Textile Supply Chain and Infrastructure Development
Sustainable Textile Applications for Fashion and InteriorsÂ
Learn more and apply here.
Cohort News
Power to Hydrogen Secures Over $20M in Strategic Maritime Investments to Advance Green Hydrogen Shipping Solutions
Power to Hydrogen, a cohort 3 alumni of Scale For ClimateTech, has successfully closed an oversubscribed Series A funding round exceeding $20 million, with strategic investments from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Karpowership. This capital infusion will accelerate the deployment of its proprietary Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer systems, aiming to produce cost-effective green hydrogen for maritime applications. The collaboration signifies a significant step toward decarbonizing the shipping industry by integrating scalable hydrogen solutions into global supply chains.​
Read the full story here.
Switch Source Expands Manufacturing Facility With a New 20,000-Square-Foot Facility
Switched Source, a leader in power flow control technology from cohort 1 of Scale For ClimateTech, announced its new 20,000 Square foot manufacturing facility in the Chicagoland area. Made possible in part by a previous Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) grant, the expansion increases the company’s domestic manufacturing by 150%. On the use-case sidehe deployment of its Phase-EQ with National Grid in New York increased load capacity by 1,200 kW and demonstrated potential capital expense savings of $500,000.
Read the full release here.
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Torev Motors Awarded Phase I SBIR Grant with the US Army
Torev Motors was awarded $250,000 in a Phase I SBIR Grant in Energy Resilience with the US Army. Torev Motors develops compact, high efficiency electric motors with less rare earth materials for hybrid electric vehicles. The funding will help the team develop the next-generation electric motors for hybrid defense vehicle powertrains.
See the full release here.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain News
Advance Your Talent Pipeline and Business at the Manufacturing Workforce and Supply Chain Summit
Finding skilled talent and new opportunities to grow your manufacturing business is difficult. Attend the free Manufacturing Workforce and Supply Chain Summit at NextCorps in Rochester, NY on May 7 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM to explore solutions for advancing your business.
- Learn best practices for talent development
- Identify business opportunities within military industries
- Understand how the region is developing talent and where to find skilled workers
This summit is for all manufacturers, regardless of industry focus. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Register here by May 5, 2025.
Retool’25: Exploring Opportunities in Energy Innovation
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Retool’25 is back and will be held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. 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.
How To Work With Your Local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Network
Experiencing road blocks with your manufacturing or as a small to medium-size manufacturer? Learn how to best use your local MEP center to find vetted resources near you, and how they can help you find funding for your next project. Get started here.
Manufacturer & Supply Chain Partner Spotlight: The RIT Battery Development Center
The RIT Battery Development Center (BDC) is a state-of-the-art research and rapid prototyping and testing facility focused on the development and qualification of emerging energy storage technologies through a partnership between NY-Battery Energy and Storage Technologies (NY-BEST) and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The facility consists of a 1000 square foot dry room which maintains less than 0.5% RH and -40 to -60 °C dew point which contains all of the coating, pouch, and cylindrical cell assembly equipment. The BDC assists in the processing of battery slurries, electrode preparation, and the fabrication of commercial quality pouch and cylindrical cells. In addition to offering prototype line services and dry room facility services, the BDC offers technology and development expertise of its staff for larger research projects.
Find more information and contact the BDC here.
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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.Â