Wrapping Up the Year: December’s Biggest Climate Tech Wins
Welcome to For ClimateTalk – For ClimateTech’s monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming opportunities for climate innovators, thought leaders, and community connectors.
Thank You for an Incredible Year!
The For ClimateTech team would like to thank every founder, investor, subject matter expert, manufacturer, supply chain partner, and board, and staff member for their role in advancing our 43 start ups across the Venture and Scale For ClimateTech programs, in addition to our 100+ alumni teams. From our many zoom meetings, courses, manufacturing tours, investor pitches, Global Innovation Challenge, and our Innovation Showcase at NYC Climate Week, the For ClimateTech community continues to thrive and grow. Although there is much to be done, we have yet to find a climate related problem a brilliant founder wasn’t already working on – and that gives us hope for a brighter future. We wish you a very happy and safe holiday season!
Cohort News
Active Surfaces Hosts Solar-Ribbon Cutting for its Facility
Active Surfaces, the developer of an ultra-thin flexible solar film and Venture For ClimateTech alumni, cut a ribbon of its own solar-film to celebrate the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Woburn, Massachusetts. Our FCT staff member, Scott Meyers, got to tour the new space. Active Surfaces is working to expand where solar can be installed through its new ultra-light solar module.
Learn more about Active Surfaces here.
For ClimateTech Celebrates 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition
This year, the For ClimateTech team celebrates four individuals from our community who were recognized in both the Energy and Green Tech Category and the Manufacturing and Industry Category by Forbes’ 2025 list for those in North America who are working to make a lasting impact. Below are the honorees:
In Forbes’ Energy and Green Tech category
- Keeton Ross, Cofounder of Holocene (V4C, Cohort 2)
- Leopold Dobelle, Cofounder of Mitico (S4C, Cohort 5)
- Luke Mairo, Cofounder of VoltPost (V4C, Cohort 1)
In Forbes’ Manufacturing and Industry category
- Minh Tran, Cofounder of HelioTrope Photonics (V4C Cohort 3)
Congratulations again to these incredible founders. To see Forbes’ full list check out the link here.
Wells Fargo Awards $250K to Evercloak
Evercloak, developer of ultra-thin nanocoatings used in air-conditioning and a variety of technologies, was awarded $250,000, in addition to support from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as a part of Wells Fargo’s innovation incubator program. Evercloak will be working with NREL’s Building Energy Science Group to further scale its technology.
Read more about the announcement here.
BladeBUG heads to the House of Commons
BladeBug, maker of advanced robotics for wind turbine maintenance and V4C alumni, recently had the incredible opportunity to present its revolutionary wind turbine blade inspection robot at the UK’s House of Commons Climate and Sustainability Showcase. BladeBUG’s Crawler Robot is reducing maintenance costs, improving worker safety, and decreasing downtime of wind turbines for the wind industry.
See more photos from the event on BladeBUG’s LinkedIn page here.
Calectra Received $200,000 CalSEED Concept Award and Joins Cohort 7
Calectra, developer of thermal storage bricks for high-temperature systems and V4C alumni, was awarded a $200,000 grant as a part of joining the CalSEED cohort 7. The CalSED Concept Awardees for early innovators targets teams that address climate related challenges in the California energy landscape.
Read more about the news in CalSEED’s press release.
Community Opportunities
Active Surfaces Hosts Solar-Ribbon Cutting for its Facility
Is your early-stage company working on technology that involves optics, photonics, or imaging? Luminate is searching for its next cohort. The program has helped several startups in the climate tech space, along with virtually every other industry. Selected startups receive:
- $100K initial investment
- Opportunity to compete for $2M in follow-on funding
- Introductions to 30+ potential investors
- Tailored business and technical support to fast-track your growth
Apply by January 10, 2025 or join an info session on January 7 to learn more.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain News
Manufacturer & Supply Chain Partner Spotlight: Jamestown Board of Public Utilities
The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities (BPU), operating one of the nation’s oldest and most successful municipal power plants, plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth in the region. As New York State’s largest municipally-owned utility, the BPU provides low-cost electricity, abundant water, and expert technical consulting, supporting businesses ranging from startups to large-scale manufacturers. With a thriving downtown featuring world-class attractions and development-ready sites like the Mason Industrial Park, Jamestown offers an affordable, high-quality alternative for entrepreneurs. Through initiatives like Retool WNY—funded by NYSERDA—the BPU collaborates with regional partners to foster cleantech opportunities, green manufacturing transitions, and supply chain expansion, making Jamestown a hub for innovative business ventures.
Learn more about the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities here.
NIST MEP Explores if Industrial Artificial Intelligence Applications are Right for Your Company
Curious about Industrial Artificial Intelligence (IAI)? NIST MEP’s latest blog kicks off a four-part series designed to demystify IAI applications for industrial use. Learn how to assess whether AI tools are worth the investment, avoid common pitfalls, and navigate the intersection of rules-based decisions, machine learning, and human insight. Check out the link below and take the first step toward making informed, AI-driven decisions for your business.
Read the full story here.
NIST MEP Is Now on Instagram
NIST MEP has officially launched a new Instagram account. Follow this terrific resource to see highlights of the MEP National Network and its capabilities, along with features on modern manufacturing careers and small- and medium-sized manufacturers impacts on communities and the economy.
Find them on Instagram 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.