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Innovation Ecosystem

About our Mission

New Energy Nexus is a non-profit international organization that strives towards an abundant world with a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population in the shortest time possible. To achieve this goal, we support diverse clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators and networks. We started in California and now operate programs in New York, China, India, Southeast Asia and East Africa.

How we reach our goal:

  • Inspire We reach thousands of entrepreneurs through our newsletters, social media, online courses and communities, webinars and educational events around the world.

  • Accelerate We accelerate hundreds of entrepreneurs each year by building their business acumen and connecting them to the right investors, customers and partners.

  • Connect By connecting and supporting incubators, accelerators and other early stage startup supporters and investors through our global network we indirectly create the conditions for thousands of startups to flourish.

  • Fund In select markets we provide (non-dilutive) seed funding for high potential startups.


Our B.R.A.V.E. (Big, Risky, Audacious, Visionary & Exponential) goal is to support 100,000 startups to succeed by 2030. We will do this by...

Being the Nexus between entrepreneurs and investors, incubators, labs, corporate partners, community stakeholders, and peer to-peer collaborations

Increasing the Rate  of Innovation in clean energy adoption with a seed to-growth stage funding and network support model

Magnifying the Impact of innovations through accountability to and collaboration with a diverse range of communities

 

California Programs

The California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative (CalSEED) is an early stage grant funding and professional development program for diverse innovators working to bring clean energy concepts to market. CalSSED is made possible by the California Energy Commission and funded through the Electric Program Investment Charge. CalSEED is administered by CalCEF Ventures, an organization of New Energy Nexus. 

With CalSEED you can:

  • Receive up to $600K in grant dollars to advance your concept

  • Access professional development resources

  • Get operational and technical support resources

  • Connect to the state’s best accelerator and incubator programs.


Our next application cycle opens February 28th.

How it Works

Concept Application Apply for eligibility online. Select applicants will be notified of their eligibility and invited to submit a full application

Application Review Our review committee will evaluate the merits of your project

Concept Awards Winners are awarded up to $150,000 in grant funding

Capacity Building Once awarded you will have the opportunity to participate in select networking events, workshops and webinars

Business Plan Create your business plan and pitch your concept to our review committee

Prototype Awards Business plan competition winner(s) receive up to $450,000 to further pursue their innovation

 

Clean energy entrepreneurs face challenges in accessing testing and validation facilities as they attempt to progress from prototype to pilot and demonstration scale.

The CalTestBed Initiative is a voucher program that will assist clean energy entrepreneurs in gaining access to critical testing facilities and endeavors to expedite their pathway to commercialization through building a strong network with connections to companies and investors.

CalTestBed Voucher Recipients will receive:

  • A voucher for between $10,000 to $300,000 in testing

  • Testing & Verification

  • Networking

  • Exposure to pilot, demonstration and commercialization opportunities


The CalTestBed solicitation is open now and is accepting applications until April 8th, 2020. 

Partners