Northeastern University is launching a climate and artificial intelligence startup incubator from its Roux institute in Portland, Maine.
It will be the state’s first climate-focused incubator.
The goal is to bring the work of mostly early, but some mid-stage, startups to Maine. The incubator is looking to attract clean energy startups that will benefit from proximity to researchers and students.
The incubator will be looking to leverage complex technology to address climate change, said Chris Wolfel, associate vice president of entrepreneurship and venture creation at Northeastern’s Roux Institute.
“How do you take advanced computing approaches to solving these climate challenges?” is the kind of question the startups will be addressing, he said.
The Roux Institute in Portland launched in 2020, intended to bolster economic development in the state.
Funding for the incubator came from Maine’s Gov. Janet Mills as part of a Clean Energy Partnership from the Energy Office. Of the $1.3 million awarded, $975,000 is going to Northeastern.
It is on pace to open in the next couple of months, Wolfel said. They are currently in the late stages of hiring a director, who will shape more of the specific vision. Wolfel said they expect to make the hiring decision within the coming weeks. Whoever is hired will ultimately shape the direction of the incubator, Wolfel said.
The center will be based in Portland, but it’s looking to attract startups from across the country and potentially internationally.
Eventually, the incubator will likely host 20 startups at a time, Wolfel said. Work is ongoing to secure more corporate partnerships. Participating startups won’t receive funding from the Roux as part of their participation in the incubator.
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