Energy2023 First Sprint
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
- 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
Energy2023
The 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 or other renewables with a particular focus on load management controls integrated with storage, heat pumps and building systems are encouraged to apply, particularly those that address under-represented and low to moderate income populations.
The seventh DeltaClimeVT 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 are particularly interested in services and technologies that have wide potential applicability in rural locations and that allow C&I businesses, low and moderate-income Vermonters, disadvantaged 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:
- Technologies that can help Vermont’s C&I customers decarbonize through electrification or fuel switching to biofuels or hydrogen;
- Smart building technologies such as building controls, dynamic EV charging equipment (V2X), heat pump load management and other devices that can align with utility demand response signals and support disadvantaged populations;
- Geothermal technologies and services with a focus on community scale systems;
- Storage technologies and related services that enable increased electrification and load management, to include thermal and battery energy storage systems;
- Financing models for energy technologies and services (e.g., innovative loans, on-bill financing, heating as a service).
Important Dates
October 15, 2022
Application opens
February 10, 2023
Extended application deadline
February 24, 2023
Cohort selection announced
March 6 – 7, 2023
Kick-off webinars
March 14 – 30, 2023
One-on-one meetings with facilitators
April 3 – 6, 2023
Sprint 1, Burlington, VT
April 14 – May 5, 2023
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
May 8 – 10, 2023
Virtual sprint 2
May 26 – June 9, 2023
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
June 12 – 15, 2023
Final sprint, Burlington, VT
Past Winners
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.
“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.