Energy2024 Application Period Closes
The DeltaClimeVT business accelerator is a Vermont-based program serving startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on climate economy innovation across multiple industries.
As a proven leader in sustainability, Vermont offers participants access to a large number of entrepreneurial climate economy and energy experts throughout the program.
Our three immersive sprints help companies refine their vision, solidify their strategy, and enable rapid growth. Participants graduate with improved business plans, new tools to attract investors, and the potential to grow their business opportunities in Vermont and beyond.
Founder Stories
- Medley Thermal: Medley Thermal Pilots Clean Energy Solution at Jay Peak
- COI Energy: Paying it Forward: An Interview with SaLisa Berrien
- Infisense: Vermont Startup Bets on Better Data to Decarbonize Buildings
- Grid Fruit: Founders Focus on Refrigeration to Help Cool the Planet
- WexEnergy: Slowing Climate, Change One Window at a Time
- EVmatch: Pilot Programs to Expand EV Charging in Vermont
- Dynamic Organics: Buildings as Batteries?
- Agrilab Technologies: Compost for a Cleaner Planet
Latest News
Net Zero Energy Podcast Interview with Geoff Robertson
Energy2024
The 2024 challenge
To be part of a competitively selected cohort of start-up and/or seed stage ventures who offer innovative products or services aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to help Vermont meet its climate goals. Start-ups addressing the decarbonization of buildings, transportation, heating and industrial processes through electrification, biofuels, thermal energy networks or other renewables with a particular focus on load management controls integrated with storage, heat pumps, electric vehicle charging equipment and building systems are encouraged to apply. Ventures that address energy burden for under-represented and low to moderate income populations are of particular interest.
The eight DeltaClimeVT Energy2024 energy and climate business accelerator program is designed to accelerate the drive towards a zero-carbon future for Vermont, by helping Vermont’s utilities increase adoption of clean energy, smart building and electric vehicle technologies that enable the integration of distributed energy resources with the grid. Entrepreneurs will work directly with Vermont utilities throughout the program to contribute to Vermont’s Comprehensive Energy Plan (90% renewables/efficiency by 2050) and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals.
We were particularly interested in services and technologies that have wide potential applicability in rural locations and that allow commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses, low and moderate-income Vermonters, underrepresented populations and multi-family building residents to participate in the emerging low-carbon economy.
Examples of technologies or services could include but are not limited to:
- Smart building technologies such as building controls, dynamic EV charging equipment (V2X), heat pump load management, storage and other devices that can align with utility demand response signals and support data verification;
- Especially technologies that can overcome communication challenges with limited broadband access, cellular networks, and radio signals with a particular focus on open ADR (due to mountainous terrain);
- Especially lower cost solutions where aggregator integration costs and software fees are affordable for smaller utilities with fewer connected/controlled devices;
- EV and EV charging services and technologies related to V2G/V2H/V2X, commercial EV fleet services and telematics;
- Thermal energy network technologies and services with a focus on community scale systems utilizing waste heat and/or ground source heat pumps;
- Service models designed to eliminate engagement and participation barriers for underserved customers and encourage whole home decarbonization; and/or
- DIY electrification opportunities that relieve the need for contractors.
Important Dates
October 20, 2023
Application opens
February 5, 2024
Application deadline
February 23, 2024
Cohort selection announced
March 4 – 5, 2024
Kick-off webinars
March 12 – 14, 2024
One-on-one meetings with facilitators
March 25 – 28, 2024
Sprint 1, Burlington, VT
April 19 – 26, 2024
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
May 6 – 8, 2024
Virtual sprint 2
May 24 – June 7, 2024
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
June 10 – 13, 2024
Final sprint, Burlington, VT
Accelerator Winners
ENERGY2023
The Energy 2023 winner, selected through a peer-review process, is ProsumerGrid receiving a $25,000 non-equity prize. Pilot projects with Burlington Electric Department were also announced. Click to read the recap.
ENERGY2022
The Energy 2022 winner, selected through a peer-review process, is Halitra receiving a $25,000 non-equity prize. Pilot projects with Vermont utilities were also announced. Read the recap here.
ENERGY2021
The Energy 2021 winner, selected through a peer-review process, is Neothermal Energy Storage receiving a $25,000 non-equity prize. Three pilot projects with Vermont utilities were also announced. Read the recap here.
ENERGY2020
The Energy 2020 winners, selected through a peer-review process, include Pecos Wind Power receiving a $25,000 non-equity prize, Medley Thermal receiving a $15,000 non-equity prize, and Wex Energy receiving a $10,000 non-equity prize. Plus five pilot projects with Vermont utilities announced. Read the recap here.
ENERGY2019
$25,000 Winner – Onboard Data of Massachusetts. Burlington Electric Department Pilot Project Winners: EV Match, Go Together and DCC. Green Mountain Power Pilot Project Winner: EV Match. Read the recap here.
AG & FOOD TECH2018
ENERGY2017
Winners – Emrgy Inc. of Georgia and A.F. Mensah of New Jersey.
“This is the best accelerator that we have participated in. Specifically, this program has a unique curriculum that’s designed to create a collaborative competition and allow us to sit across the table from electric utilities, planning directors and CFOs.”
“The DeltaClimeVT program is unique because sponsors are actual customers that are looking to fund pilot projects. The learning that we garnered from our cohort peers was invaluable and the resulting friendships will be long-term. The curriculum from ecosVC has equipped us with tools that we will continue to adapt as we move from lab to pilot to commercialization. We are grateful to VSJF for allowing us to participate.”
“I can’t recommend this program enough for early-stage pre-seed/seed entrepreneurs. With a small (highly focused) cohort, phenomenal facilitators with decades of experience, and people who truly care about helping to advance your startup in a meaningful way, DeltaClimateVT is an unparalleled program in the accelerator space.”
DeltaClimeVT
By The Numbers
“This program clearly demonstrated that there is no better place in the United States to convene startups, investors, and industry leaders to solve important climate problems than Vermont.”
Industry expertise, a network of established climate economy enterprises, and access to potential partners and growth capital are available to all DeltaClimeVT participants.
Participants are guided through the world-class ecosVC curriculum, designed to test assumptions, expose and remediate business vulnerabilities, prepare for significant investment, and provide a platform for rapid scale. All cohort Members will have the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with high quality investors and potential customers.