Giving Thanks for Climate Tech: November’s Biggest Opportunities and Wins
Welcome to For ClimateTalk – For ClimateTech’s monthly newsletter highlighting upcoming opportunities for climate innovators, thought leaders, and community connectors.
Applications are closing soon for Cohort 6 of Scale For ClimateTech. As part of your application you will be invited to a FREE, virtual, multi-day Manufacturing 101 Bootcamp taking place in January. The bootcamp is for any hardware climate tech company to gain access to information and experts that support its manufacturing journey (all stages are welcome). Companies will have the opportunity to engage with vetted manufacturers, supply chain experts, and technical advisors and leave with a deeper understanding of their manufacturing readiness level in order to build a more resilient and robust production process.
Following the Bootcamp, 20 companies that are actively moving toward manufacturing will be invited to participate in the Scale For ClimateTech multi-month manufacturing accelerator. Participating companies will receive immersive training on manufacturing and access to an extensive network of mentors, experts, investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and more – all dedicated to supporting business growth and commercialization, reducing risks, and making manufacturing easier.
The application deadline is November 30, 2024. Click here to get started on your application.
Funding Opportunities
MIT Climate & Energy Prize Student Competition Now Accepting Applications
The MIT Climate & Energy Prize, open to all students at universities around the world, is a platform for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new venture creation in the climate and clean energy space. The Climate & Energy Prize’s Grand Prize of $100,000 aims to catalyze a new generation of solutions that tackle climate challenges by providing the mentor and network resources to help these teams thrive.
Learn more and apply here.
ARPA-E Launches Second Installment of Early Career Innovator Program
The Early Career Innovator program is focused on early-career scientists and engineers who are converting disruptive ideas into impactful energy technologies. Each IGNIITE 2025 awardee will receive approximately $500,000 to advance research projects at universities, national laboratories, and in the private sector, and spans the full spectrum of energy applications.
Read more in the press release here.
Cohort News
Ateios Systems Wins Big at VERGE 2024 and a New U.S. Army Contract
Ateios, a Scale For ClimateTech alumni working to enable its innovative electrode manufacturing techniques, took “Top Energy Startup” at the VERGE 2024 Competition in Oct. in California. Ateios competed with over 100 applicants in the two-phased competition by Trellis.
In addition to the win, the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Adelphi, Md. awarded a one-year, sole-source contract to Ateiosto produce its three-amp-hour batteries designed for reduced fire risk from battlefield damage.
Read more about the new battery designs here.
KLAW Industries Continues to Grow, Now with Robotics
Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced $400,000 in federal funding to Scale For ClimateTech alum, KLAW Industries. This funding is a follow up to the NYS DOT Whitney Point Project that KLAW is working on. KLAW will be using the funding to develop its new robotic sorting system for recycled glass. Its current product, Pantheon, uses recycled glass to replace cement in a concrete mix, preventing 1000 pounds of carbon emissions for every cement truck used. Now with robotic sorting, that number can be even higher.
Read more about the story covered by Riccardo Monico in the Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin.
Vycarb Launches CO2 Pilot in New York City’s East River
Vycarb, which removes CO2 from natural waterways and is a Scale For ClimateTech company, launched a pilot through the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation’s Yard Labs program. Vycarb is working to remove and store 100 tonnes of carbon per year when the device is fully operational. The team converts CO2 in natural waterways and converts it to HCO3 so it can be stored for nearly 10,000 to 100,000 years.
Read about the pilot in Marine Technology News.
New Frontier Closes Seed Round with Pacific Bays Capital
New Frontier, a leading developer of advanced aerospace technology and V4C alum, announced last month that it closed its seed funding round with Pacific Bays Capital (PacCap), a Tokyo-based investment fund focused on the aerospace, space, green agriculture, and energy sectors. New Frontier is developing a propulsion system to power net carbon negative hypersonic aircrafts. With the funding round closed, it can work on delivering leading-edge air and space products for civil, commercial, and defense customers.
Read the full press release here.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain News
FuzeHub’s 2024 Microelectronics Innovation Challenge is Open
As part of the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, and in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, FuzeHub is administering the Microelectronics Challenge to support technology development in specific manufacturing industries. Up to $180,000 in funding is available, with three awards of $60,000 each. Applications will close on Monday, Dec.16 at 11:59PM EST. Click here for more details.
Manufacturer & Supply Chain Partner Spotlight: Z-Axis
Z-AXIS, based near Rochester, NY, specializes in the design, prototyping, and manufacturing of complex electronic products and electromechanical assemblies, including commercial, industrial, and medical power supplies. Since its founding in 1989, the company has grown from producing video display monitors to offering diverse contract electronics design and manufacturing services, along with its own power supply line introduced in 2003. Operating from a 32,000-square-foot facility, Z-AXIS provides integrated services, from expert design and prototyping to production, to technical support, all under one roof. Committed to innovation and customer satisfaction, the company has built strong, long-term relationships by tailoring solutions to meet its clients’ unique needs, including several Scale For ClimateTech teams.
Learn more about Z-Axis here.
Attract Talent by Showcasing the Benefits of Manufacturing Careers
Looking to inspire the next generation of workers in your manufacturing operations? This infographic, provided by the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, can be helpful in communicating the many advantages to exploring a career in manufacturing.
Find 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.