Grow Your Green đź’µ This Spring With These Fresh Opportunities
Welcome to For ClimateTalk – For ClimateTech’s monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming opportunities for climate innovators, thought leaders, and community connectors.
Venture For ClimateTech (V4C) is excited to launch the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, a broad call for early-stage climate tech applications from around the world. We’re looking to discover and spotlight the most impactful and equitable early-stage climate tech solutions that will reduce GHG emissions in areas like (but not limited to):
Â
🌞 Energy & Grid Modernization (renewables, smart grid, storage)
🚆 Sustainable Transportation (EV infrastructure, micro-mobility, efficiency)
🏗 Green Buildings & Construction (materials, HVAC, electrification)
⚡ Industrial Decarbonization (carbon capture, hydrogen, waste heat recovery)
Â
What’s in it for challenge winners?
- Exclusive mentorship and pitch coaching to accelerate your venture
- Strategic connections to investors, industry leaders, and peers
- Access to expert-led workshops and the For ClimateTech ecosystem
- An invitation to the V4C Innovation Showcase during Climate Week NYC 2025
If you’re an early-stage climate tech founder—or know someone working on a bold, impactful solution—now’s the time to apply!
Deadline: March 31, 2025
Get started here.
Funding Opportunities
Applications for the 2025 Urban Future Prize Competition Are Now Open
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. The Climate Mitigation Prize seeks startups developing technologies or business models to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the root causes of climate change. 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.
Â
Up to $100K Available with The Clean Fight’s Energy Storage Edition Accelerator
In collaboration with New Energy New York, NY-BEST, and with the support of NYSERDA, the Clean Fight is looking for innovative battery and energy storage solutions that can help speed the clean energy transition in New York State.
Program benefits include:
- Up to $100k in grant funding per company to facilitate deployments
- Tailored business development with customer partners and developers
- Support from New York’s leading energy storage experts NY-BEST
- Connections to scaling capital and more
Get your application in now by applying here. Applications will close on April 21, 2025.
Cohort News
Mitico Raises $4.3M to Advance Carbon Capture
Mitico has secured a $4.3 million seed round to develop a cost-effective carbon capture method using a modified simple salt, inspired by ancient chemical processes. By leveraging “prehistoric chemistry,” the startup aims to efficiently capture COâ‚‚ and transform it into stable minerals. This breakthrough could offer a scalable solution to reducing industrial carbon emissions. With backing from key investors, Mitico is set to accelerate its mission to make carbon capture more accessible and impactful.
Read the full story by TechCrunch here.
Tereform Secures $1.25M from AccelR8 and Toyota Ventures to Advance Textile Recycling
Tereform, a Denver-based startup specializing in recycling hard-to-process textiles, has raised $1.25 million in a funding round led by AccelR8, with participation from Toyota Ventures. This investment aims to scale Tereform’s innovative chemical recycling technology, which breaks down complex synthetic textiles into reusable materials, promoting sustainability in the fashion and textile industries.
See the full announcement here.
Voltpost Expands Charging Platform to ConnecticutÂ
Voltpost, provider of lamp post retrofitted streetside charging stations, has been chosen by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to conduct an 18-month pilot program. Voltpost will deploy 50 stations, which offer 100 charging ports, across the state including the United Illuminating Co. and Eversource Energy service areas.
Read the full story by the CT Insider here.
Community Opportunities
Scale For ClimateTech Welcomes Mikhail Hutton!Â
Mikhail Hutton has joined the Scale For ClimateTech team at SecondMuse as Senior Program Manager.Â
Mikhail brings extensive experience to the program, including various leadership roles, most notably as the CEO of Candidus (an S4C Cohort 4 company!) and roundit, which was later acquired under his leadership. His expertise includes operations, customer success, and go-to-market strategies across different B2B ventures.
He is a graduate of Penn State University and lives in New York City with his wife and 3 kids. In his free time, Mikhail is very involved in the NYC tech community and various non-profit organizations.
Welcome, Mikhail!
Â
Â
Last week on the podcast series Forward Faster, Venture For ClimateTech (V4C) program manager, Scott Meyers, sharde insights into the program’s non-dilutive funding, tailored curriculum, and high-touch mentorship that help founders succeed. We also heard from BladeBug’s Chris Cieslak and Stacy Rivers, whose advanced wind turbine maintenance robot is revolutionizing renewable energy. Learn how V4C helped them refine their pitch, expand into the U.S. market, and build investor connections.Â
Find the full episode here.
See You at NREL Industry Growth Forum
Kick off the NREL Industry Growth Forum in Denver with the NextCorps team at our happy hour! Join climate and manufacturing professionals, investors, and founders on Wednesday, March 26th from 4:00 to 5:00 PM MDT.. This event is a cash bar but snacks and appetizers will be provided by NextCorps. We hope to see you there! Register here.
Become a Venture For ClimateTech Mentor or Tech Reviewer!
The Venture For ClimateTech (V4C) team is looking for seasoned experts to mentor early-stage climate founders or serve on a tech review committee.Â
Mentors:
Both technical and non-technical mentors are needed to help tackle the challenges typically encountered at the pre-seed stage. At a minimum, mentors should be able to dedicate at least three hours, in one hour increments per their availability, to meet one-on-one with up to six startups in the cohort. Ongoing mentorship is up to each individual’s availability and interest after initial meetings with the startups.
Tech Reviewer
After in-depth due diligence that’s completed by staff, V4C sends applications to a tech review committee. Each reviewer is asked to evaluate 10-15 applications (20-30 min each). Typically this requires a 5-10 hour commitment over a two week period. Experience in grid technology, batteries, transportation, energy generation, and more are needed.
If you’re interested in learning more, please fill out the form here
Manufacturing & Supply Chain News
Sign up for the Spring 2025 Finger Lakes Cybersecurity Event to learn how to strengthen your organization’s and clients’ online security.
NextCorps supports companies on their cybersecurity journeys, working with a network of expert consultants to help businesses stay protected. NextCorps Senior Consultant for Growth Services, Annette Brenner, will be part of the expert panel, sharing insights and best practices to secure your digital assets.Â
Learn more and register here.
Integrating Cybersecurity With Industry 4.0 – What It Means for Manufacturing
Manufacturer & Supply Chain Partner Spotlight: The Center for Future Energy Systems (CFES) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
CFES at RPI is a New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT)Â funded by Empire State Development. Established in 2004, CFES serves as RPI’s hub for energy research, connecting faculty expertise with industry needs to drive economic development in New York. The center focuses on advancing renewable energy, energy storage, smart grids, and energy-efficient technologies through cutting-edge research and robust industry partnerships. CFES offers research partners access to world-class research facilities and laboratories in support of energy research. It also operates two core laboratories: the Distributed Energy Resources System Integration Lab (DERSIL) and the Energy Materials and Devices Lab (EMDL). Industry partners can access these labs through joint research or by signing a facility use agreement.
Learn more and get involved here.
Â
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.