Greentown Labs, a North American climatetech incubator, and offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind are now accepting applications for Greentown Go Energize 2023, a program supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).
Greentown Labs and Vineyard Wind are seeking submissions from startups that are innovating solutions for offshore turbine monitoring and ecological data collection, as well as digital solutions to improve turbine efficiency and longevity.
Vineyard Wind is developing the first utility-scale offshore wind project in the United States, with construction of the 800 MW project already under way. Given the industry’s complexity, it can be uniquely challenging for startups to enter this space. Go Energize 2023 aims to reduce these barriers to entry through industry education, knowledge sharing, and relationship-building across relevant industry networks.
“As the first commercial scale offshore wind project, we’re not only building a critical new piece of infrastructure, we’re also planting the seeds for a new industry,” says Klaus S. Moeller, CEO of Vineyard Wind. “By expanding our partnership with Greentown Labs and MassCEC, we can create an ecosystem where companies of all sizes can seize the once in a generation opportunity this new industry represents.”
Startups selected for the program will gain access to mentorship, networking opportunities and educational workshops throughout the duration of the highly structured, six-month program. Program benefits for the participating startups include $70,000 in non-dilutive stipend funding; a platform to connect with and learn from offshore wind developers, NGOs, scientists and other key players driving the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the United States; and an opportunity to engage with developers and other organizations to build collaborative pathways for future startup-corporate partnerships in the offshore wind industry.
“Partnerships like this one with Vineyard Wind and Greentown Labs will help us realize the Commonwealth’s offshore wind goals and deliver clean, reliable energy to residents,” states MassCEC CEO Jennifer Daloisio. “Go Energize 2023, with its focus on ecological impacts and turbine longevity, ensures that offshore wind in Massachusetts is developed sustainably for future generations. MassCEC is excited to work with the Go Energize startups to provide valuable mentoring and education.”
Mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational programming from the Greentown Labs community of climatetech startup experts are also included as well as other benefits.
Go Energize 2023 is seeking applications from startups with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3 and higher. Applicants should also be actively commercializing or looking to commercialize within the offshore wind industry. Technologies that have been demonstrated or commercialized for a different market are still eligible, as long as there is a relevant target application.
“It is a true honor to work alongside Vineyard Wind on a project that will be so impactful for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” says Kevin Taylor, Greentown’s interim CEO. “While all of our Greentown Go programs represent a meaningful opportunity to decarbonize the five major greenhouse-gas-emitting sectors, the local relevance of this program does have us particularly excited. Vineyard Wind and MassCEC are doing vital work in our own backyard.”
Greentown Labs runs Greentown Go programs across five tracks: Go Make (manufacturing), Go Move (transportation), Go Energize (energy and electricity), Go Build (buildings), and Go Grow (food and agriculture). These startup-corporate partnerships programs challenge the status quo within each key greenhouse-gas sector as they accelerate partnerships between industry giants and innovators.
Applications for Go Energize 2023 are due by April 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants may apply from anywhere in the world.
