Energy2024
The Results
After three months of intense focus, camaraderie and, both virtual and in-person learning, we are excited to announce Rock Rabbit as the Energy 2024 winner. The company delivers an AI-powered platform and app that makes it fast, easy and reliable to find and claim incentives for green home upgrades. Chosen through a peer-review process, the company received a $25,000 award and a pilot project awarded by Burlington Electric Department (BED). BED also awarded a pilot project Moduly, which is a smart energy system behind the meter integrating plug-and-play home energy storage and IoT devices in a single ecosystem. Additional Vermont companies and utilities are in talks with cohort companies to implement further pilot projects.
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 eighth 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 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.
About the Program
The DeltaClimeVT business accelerator program is managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and facilitated by ecosVC. The program is centered around the ecosVC 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 1-1’s 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 two online and two in-person intensive 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 award of $25,000 is provided to a peer-selected company. The DeltaClimeVT program managers work to ensure that startups in the cohort are non-competitive.
“It’s just incredibly humbling, to say the least. The corporate partners and the mentors of the DeltaClimeVT program have been incredibly generous with their time. I’ve never experienced anything like that. Everyone said yes to having a conversation. And then they were very candid about providing feedback, even if sometimes it wasn’t always the feedback you wanted to hear but it helps make your company better and it helps make you develop a product that’s better so that’s been incredible. We’ve been in a few accelerators – this has been the best by far.”
Latest News
The companies
Rock Rabbit delivers an AI-powered platform and app that makes it fast, easy and reliable to find and claim incentives for green home upgrades. The TurboTax-like product makes it easy for contractors and homeowners to navigate and claim rebates, tax credits, and financing. Rock Rabbit also partners directly with incentive providers, such as utilities and governments, to lower participation barriers and administrative costs of these programs. California
Bidirectional Energy turns EVs into distributed batteries for our electric grid. They provide a mobile app and charger installation service that lets EV owners earn money by selling energy from their EVs back into the grid. For utilities, they provide a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) consisting of consumer EVs that gives utilities easily dispatchable power to reduce electricity load on the grid, helping them meet their capacity planning and carbon reduction goals. California
ElecGrid is a startup based in Newport, Vermont that is helping electric utilities to more efficiently manage resources in their day-to-day field maintenance of infrastructure and when responding to disasters that impact the electrical grid. The company’s secure and accessible platform streamlines both daily and emergency operations while reducing the number of ancillary software and information systems that a utility is required to manage, offering solutions that reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, support disaster recovery efforts, and aid in financial reporting for FEMA. Vermont
EMPEQ uses proprietary computer vision technology to put unique power in the hands of users. One photograph from a handheld device instantly identifies equipment/parts, digitizes specifications, and gleans insights like remaining useful life, cost/energy saving alternatives, and many others. Their customers utilize the technology to reduce the time spent on the field work and back office data entry associated with energy efficient retrofit reports and proposals by 50-80%. New York
Induction Food Systems (IFS) is a hardware startup that develops heating systems for equipment suppliers that enable food & beverage manufacturers to improve throughput of high-value liquid products by up to 50% and their plant’s energy efficiency by up to 10%. Their FluxCore heating system uses renewable energy to provide heat to industrial processes instead of fossil-based fuels, helping reduce Scope 1 emissions by up to 25% per site. North Carolina
Moduly is a smart energy system behind the meter integrating plug-and-play home energy storage and IoT devices in a single ecosystem. The energy management strategy coordinates energy consumption production, and storage, to reduce the peak of consumption, save on consumers’ electricity bills, optimize solar production and gain energy resilience. For Distribution utilities we provide Virtual Power Plant based on DER behind the meter to perform demand response, reduce electricity cost and assist the grid during peak loads. Quebec & Florida
Noteworthy AI helps utilities evaluate the condition of the electric distribution grid at-scale using vehicle-mounted cameras, edge computing and computer vision. As the vehicles drive, the camera system autonomously geolocates, photographs and analyzes grid assets to help utilities gain grid intelligence across several applications, including: asset inventory/GIS clean up, asset inspections, vegetation management, 3rd party attachment assessments, lighting and more. By automating this data collection and analysis process, Noteworthy can significantly increase situational awareness on the distribution grid while reducing operations and maintenance costs. Connecticut
EarthEn develops thermo-mechanical energy storage solutions that use CO2 in a closed loop to store 4-100+ hours of energy in a uniquely flexible & future-proof manner. Their technology is highly configurable to address various electrification mechanisms in using sCO2 as a working fluid to convert heat to electricity–one of which is where they can convert CO2 pipelines into energy storage assets. EarthEn’s mission is to enable Earth’s electrification and their long duration thermo-mechanical energy storage solutions are the first step in that path. California
Advisors
At DeltaClimeVT, we tap an innovative group of leaders who are subject matter experts and/or have deep entrepreneurial and investment experience, based on the needs of each cohort selected.
Ken Nolan
General Manager, Vermont Public Power Supply Authority
Since 2016, Ken Nolan has served as Vermont Public Power Supply Authority’s (VPPSA) General Manager. He joined the Authority with more than 30 years of electric utility experience. Previously, he held positions in power supply and resource planning, including 10 years at VPPSA (1988 to 1998). He then moved to the municipal utility, Burlington Electric Department, where he progressed his career from resource planning and management to Chief Operations Officer and Manager of Strategy and Innovation. In addition to his responsibilities with VPPSA, Ken serves on the Boards of Directors for Vermont Electric Power Company, Hometown Connections Inc., and VEPP Inc. Ken holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont.
SaLisa Berrien
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, COI Energy
SaLisa L. Berrien, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of COI Energy, has over 25 years of experience in the electric power and smart grid space. From working in vertically integrated utilities (PP&L and PECO Energy) prior to deregulation to ConEdison Solutions a deregulated energy services company, and then on to Smart Grid, Clean Tech, Big Data Analytics, and SaaS Solutions, Ms. Berrien has had a diverse career in the energy space. In her early career, she sold the first electric vehicle (G-Van) in the Northeast region. She later went on to help EnerNOC move to #1 Demand Response company in the industry.
Ms. Berrien is also the Founder and Board Chair of STRIVE Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995, which focuses on STEM leadership development training for students in 3rd through 12th grades. In 2013, she established COI Ladder Institute to focus on delivering leadership and empowerment services to millennials and women. Annually, COI Ladder Institute hosts a Women’s Business Leadership Retreat Conference in Martha’s Vineyard.
Since 1996, Ms. Berrien established several scholarship funds for high school and college students. Her first scholarship, the Jackson-Stephens Excellence Award, was named in honor of her maternal and paternal grandparents for paving the way so that she might have better opportunities in life. In 2004, she established the Karl H. Lewis Engineering Impact Alumni Endowment at the University of Pittsburgh for students of African descent enrolled in engineering. She later established the Talibah M. Yazid Academic Excellence scholarship for college bound high school seniors with a GPA greater than 3.0 to honor her aunt’s legacy as an educator.
Ms. Berrien holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an Executive MBA from Saint Joseph’s University. She’s been a guest speaker at various conferences and events including SXSW, NSBE, the University of Pittsburgh, Florida’s Women in Energy Leadership Forum, American Society for Engineering Education Annual Convention, Microsoft’s Women Speaker Series, SAP’s Catalyst Summit, JLL AABN Florida, Wm. Allen High School Commencement Speaker, Morgan Stanley’s Sustainable Futures Summit, and a host of women in technology speaking engagements.
Ms. Berrien has been recognized with service awards from the City of Bethlehem, Lehigh University, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the YWCA. She is also the recipient of the National Council of Negro Women Mary Jackson Engineering Award and the Allentown Human Relations Commission Human Relations Award.
Darren Springer
General Manager, Burlington Electric Department
Darren Springer is the General Manager at Burlington Electric Department (BED). He previously served as Burlington Electric’s Chief Operating Officer and led the Center for Innovation team which includes the Policy & Planning, Finance, Information Technology and Energy Services divisions.
Prior to joining BED, Darren served as Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Peter Shumlin. Before working in the Governor’s Office, Darren was appointed as Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Public Service Department, leading the advancement of the 2014 net metering law and 2015 renewable energy standard.
Darren worked for 4 years in the Washington, D.C. Office of U.S. Senator Bernard Sanders as Senior Policy Advisor for Energy & Environment, and later as Chief Counsel. He has also worked for the National Governors Association as Program Director for Energy and Transportation. Darren has a B.A. from Florida Atlantic University and earned a J.D. and Master of Studies in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School. While at Vermont Law School, he was selected as Managing Editor of the Vermont Law Review, and clerked for U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is a member of the Vermont Bar, Virginia Bar, and Florida Bar. Darren has also served as a Policy Fellow on Climate Change and Renewable Energy at the University of Vermont Center for Research on Vermont.
Simeon Chapin
Head of Social Impact, NEFCU+VSECU
Simeon Chapin is the Head of Social Impact, NEFCU+VSECU, a values-based credit union located in Vermont, and has over a decade of experience driving business, brands, and engagement toward social good. Simeon specializes in business development and manages strategy and execution, measurement, public and community relations, impact investing, and philanthropy. With a creative, integrated, and rigorous approach, Simeon brings people together to propel positive change and culture forward. He serves on the board of Vermont Heritage Financial Group and is the President of the VSECU Foundation.
Morgan Hood
New Product Development Manager, VGS
Morgan Hood has 15 years of industry experience with energy efficiency and product development. Her current role as New Product Development manager at VGS is helping the company establish a new portfolio of products and services focused on decarbonization. Morgan’s highly developed customer engagement expertise with large industrial and manufacturing facilities, commercial real estate, retailers, and residential customers help her unlock the valuable customer insights that fuel the product development process. Her method-based approach relies on the principles of design thinking, value proposition design, and the business model canvas as creative frameworks for evidence-based decision-making.
Chris Vaughn
Energy Innovation and Resiliency Coordinator, Green Mountain Power
Chris Vaughn joined Green Mountain Power (GMP) in 2022 as an Energy Innovation and Resiliency Coordinator. Chris’ work focuses on GMP’s strategic electrification initiatives, with the goal of reducing costs for customers and lowering carbon emissions in Vermont. Prior to Green Mountain Power, Chris worked for the City of Burlington, Vermont within the Burlington City Arts department. Chris completed his bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont.
Joseph Steig
Principal,
ecosVC
Joseph Steig is a principal at ecosVC, a consulting and training company for STEM ventures. He also consults with companies and investors in a CFO capacity. He currently works with LRVHealth, a healthcare venture fund based in Boston, and with IUNU, an agriculture technology company based in Seattle. Joseph has worked in a diverse range of industries from aquaculture to software and has extensive consulting experience with universities and innovators on technology commercialization.
Joseph serves on the Board of Directors of Greentown Learn, the educational non-profit affiliated with the world’s largest clean tech incubator, Greentown Labs. He went to Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts and divides his time between Seattle and Vancouver, Canada. More information at www.steig.com.
Geoff Robertson
DeltaClimeVT Managing Director, Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
Geoff Robertson joined the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund in 2017 as Director of Business Assistance. In this role he managed a suite of business assistance services to help Vermont business owners and management teams advance profitability, job creation, and sustainable business development. Geoff currently serves as managing director of VSJF’s DeltaClimeVT business accelerator that serves startup and seed-stage ventures focusing on climate economy innovation. Most recently Geoff held the position of CEO at Empower Mobility, a mobile platform and software company, where he was responsible for managing business development, human resources, and finances. As the CFO at School Spring, LLC, Geoff negotiated the successful sale of the cloud based recruitment and applicant tracking system for K – 12 schools. He previously served as the Entrepreneurial Advisor at Davis & Hodgdon CPAs serving School Spring, the Vermont Food Venture Center, and many other small businesses in Vermont.
Judy Giordan
Managing Director, ecosVC
33 years of experience translating research to commercial opportunities. Judy is co-founder of the Chemical Angels Network, entrepreneur and former Fortune 100 executive.
Judy serves as board member, co-founder, advisor and investor in seed and early stage start-ups. And Judy is President-elect of the American Chemical Society.
Her previous executive positions include Vice President and Global Corporate Director of Research and Development at International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc.; Vice-President Worldwide Research and Development for the Pepsi-Cola Company, the global beverage arm of PepsiCo, Inc.; Vice President Research and Development, Henkel Corporation, the North American operating unit of the Henkel Group; and co-founder and managing partner of 1EXECStreet, a successful San Francisco based boutique executive search firm. She has also held management and technical contributor positions at Polaroid and ALCOA and has served with the National Science Foundation as Program Director for the IGERT Program.
Lisa Morris
Energy Services Planner, Vermont Electric Cooperative
Lisa Morris, Energy Services Analyst at Vermont Electric Co-op, began her career in urban planning and transitioned to the energy world after moving to Vermont in 2012. Over the past decade, she’s worked on variable peak pricing, co-op community solar, net metering, beneficial electrification, and flexible load programs. Her work involves the interplay between policy goals and program implementation and how the two inform each other to further Vermont’s energy transformation. She holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Sociology from Oberlin College and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan.
Jake Marin
Senior Emerging Technology & Engineering Services Manager, Efficiency Vermont
Jake Marin is a Senior Emerging Technology and Services Manager at Efficiency Vermont. He manages s a diverse portfolio of projects but specializes in adoption of new HVAC technologies. Previously, Jake was the Program Manager for HVAC and Refrigeration at Efficiency Vermont. Here, he developed Vermont’s first heat pump program in 2014 and has continued to help develop programs and guidelines for the greater Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region through his collaboration with the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP). These programs have supported the installation of over 35,000 high efficiency heat pumps and over 14,000 heat pump water heaters in Vermont alone. Starting with single zone ductless mini-splits, his heat pump program portfolio has grown to include multi-zone, ducted, air to water and, most recently, Ground Source Heat Pump.
DID YOU KNOW?
DeltaClimeVT offers cohort members more than 35 hours of time with mentors, investors and potential customers?
Mentors
DeltaClimeVT coordinates with mentors comprised of industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, business advisors and investors throughout the program. Cohort members work directly with mentors during the three sprints in addition to socializing with them at extracurricular social events as well as other business events.
Sponsors
DeltaClimeVT relies on sponsorships to execute successful cohorts. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Geoff@vsjf.org.
Jane’s Trust Foundation
