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The DeltaClime^VT climate economy business accelerator seeks entrepreneurs for the Energy 2021 program. Startup ventures that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy-related products or services for residential and small business customers must submit applications for Energy 2021 by Feb. 19, 2021. Selection will focus on companies that are entering or currently at a pilot or demonstration stage and planning for scale.

The DeltaClime^VT business accelerator, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), will be facilitated by ecosVC’s Lens of the Market® ACCELERATED curriculum, designed to ensure participating startups produce a well-grounded case for their business and are able to articulate a compelling plan for success to investors.

The program features an extensive online curriculum plus one on ones facilitated by ecosVC principals, active engagement with sponsoring Vermont utilities, business mentors, investors and successful venture leaders. Startups must have at least two senior members of their team actively participate in all aspects of the program. The program includes four intensive online sessions (each 2-4 days in duration), weekly assignments and bi-weekly webinars as well as frequent 1:1 engagement with program leaders and mentors. Active engagement and peer-mentoring by participants is an essential part of the program and a final prize of $25,000 will be provided to a peer-selected company.

During past DeltaClime^VT cohorts, over half of participating companies have been selected by Vermont utilities and other sponsors to conduct product pilots after the end of the program. The DeltaClime^VT program managers work to ensure that startups in the cohort are non-competitive.

This will be the fifth DeltaClime^VT cohort and it is designed to accelerate the drive to a zero-carbon future for Vermont by helping Vermont’s utilities increase adoption of clean energy technologies and smart building technologies, and better integrate distributed energy resources. Entrepreneurs will be working directly with Vermont utilities to contribute to Vermont’s 90% renewable by 2050 and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals.

Who Should Apply for ΔClime^VT Energy 2021

The program is applicable to startup companies from anywhere in Canada and the United States that see value in piloting their products and services in the Vermont market.

“We are particularly interested in services and technologies that have wide potential applicability with rural populations and can enable small businesses, low and moderate-income populations and multi-family building residents to contribute to the low-carbon economy,” said Geoff Robertson, business assistance program director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.

Examples of technologies or services could include but are not limited to:

• products or services that create faster and more efficient installation and adoption of energy efficient technologies;
• data gathering and energy analytics software that enables greater adoption of energy efficient technologies and services;
• smart building technologies such as building controls, smart thermostats, EV charging supply equipment and other devices that could align with utility demand response signals;
• localized or micro energy management and storage technologies and related services that enhance end user adoption;
• solutions to bring reliable connectivity (e.g. broadband) to rural communities and therefore enable rural communities to adopt behind the meter technologies;
• financing models for energy technologies and services (e.g. innovative loans, on-bill financing, heating as a service); and
• any other technology or service that enables the reduction of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings or supports demand management in buildings.

To learn more, apply for, or sponsor DeltaClime^VT Energy 2021, please visit deltaclimevt.com.

About DeltaClime^VT – A Climate Economy Business Accelerator

The DeltaClime^VT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on energy and climate economy innovation in the energy sector. The program provides an intense accelerated learning and business development process designed to test assumptions, expose and remediate business vulnerabilities, prepare for significant investment, and provide a platform for rapid scaling. As a proven leader in sustainability, Vermont offers participants access to a large number of entrepreneurial climate economy and energy experts throughout the program. The program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF). deltaclimevt.com

About Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

In addition to offering the DeltaClime^VT business accelerator to startup and seed stage entrepreneurs, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) provides business assistance, value chain facilitation, network development, and strategic planning to a wide range of stakeholders in the agriculture and food system, forest product, waste management, renewable energy, and environmental technology sectors. Located in Montpelier, Vermont, VSJF was created by the Vermont Legislature in 1995 to partner with state government, private sector businesses, and nonprofits to build a thriving economic, social, and ecological future for Vermont. www.vsjf.org