A business accelerator providing startup support, mentorship, and access to capital for climate economy entrepreneurs.
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
- EVmatch: Pilot Programs to Expand EV Charging in Vermont
- Dynamic Organics: Buildings as Batteries?
- Agrilab Technologies: Compost for a Cleaner Planet
Latest News
DeltaClimeVT Energy2020 climate economy business accelerator connects nationwide start-ups with Vermont electric utilities and energy companies: Read more.
Positively Vermont Interviews Geoff Robertson
Energy2021
The challenge
To be part of a competitively-selected cohort of startup ventures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy-related products or services for residential and small business customers. Selection will focus on companies that are entering or currently at a pilot or demonstration stage and planning for scale.
This fifth DeltaClimeVT business accelerator program 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 90/50 and Burlington’s Net Zero by 2030 goals.
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 to the low-carbon economy.
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.
Important Dates
November 30, 2020
Application opens
March 12, 2021
Extended application deadline
March 24, 2021
Cohort selection announced
March 29 & 30
Kick-off webinars
April 7-9, 2021
One-on-one meetings with facilitators
April 26-29, 2021
Virtual sprint 1
April 30 – May 30, 2021
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
June 1-4, 2021
Virtual sprint 2
June 5 – June 27, 2021
Webinars and one-on-one meetings with facilitators
June 28-30, 2021
Final sprint
Past Winners
“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.”
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
Winners – AgHelp of Michigan and Ceres Greens of Barre, VT. Read the recap here.
ENERGY2017
Winners – Emrgy Inc. of Georgia and A.F. Mensah of New Jersey. Read the recap here.
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.
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. In prior programs, over half of participating companies have been selected by Vermont utilities and other sponsors to conduct product pilots after the end of the program.
Vermont offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to access services, networks and growth capital, in a state known for its high quality of life. Vermont was recently ranked the #1 state to move to thanks to growing professional opportunities. In-person DeltaClimeVT sprints are held in Burlington, the state’s largest city, which sports a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by:
- innovative companies willing to pilot new, groundbreaking products and services
- growing incubation and co-working infrastructure
- an active lending and investment community
- like minded companies eager to help and partner
- regular entrepreneurial meetups and events
- robust technical and professional services
- multiple higher educational institutions
The undesirable fact that climate change will have a large effect on the way we all live our lives and how we interact with each other has created an opportunity for innovative entrepreneurs to develop products and services that aim to mitigate the risks and deal with the consequences of climate change.
The Climate Economy includes:
- Food Systems
- Water Quality
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Efficiency
- Clean Technology
- Green Building
- Sensor Technologies
- Data Management
- Resource Recycling
- Storage Technology