The words "entrepreneur" and "innovation" often go hand-in-hand, so it only seems right that when the coronavirus loomed ahead of the Joules Accelerator's sixth cohort, the partners behind the North Carolina Cleantech Corridor sprung into action to move the entire program online.
Joules Accelerator is a program designed to offer energy-focused startups an opportunity to connect with commercialization opportunities. There are two 90-day cohorts that run each year, one that kicks off in April and one in September, both of which have attracted startups from around the world.
"In these challenging times, we can help startups bring new jobs and investment to our region," Bob Irvin, executive director of Joules Accelerator, shared in a recent press release.
On March 23, the organization announced its latest class of cleantech entrepreneurs that are set to enter the Cohort 6, where these qualifying startups will work to provide technologies and services that help stakeholders address carbon targets through funded pilot programs.
Cohort 6 Members include:
- Blue Box, an innovative process that improves HVAC system efficiency with an enzyme-based coil cleaning system, from Gardena, CA
- Dynamhex, an organization that monitors and visualizes complex energy consumption data for individual, corporate, and government entities, from Kansas City, MO.
- Eavor, the world's first truly scalable form of clean baseload power, from Calgary, CAN.
- EnKoat, an energy efficient coating that helps reduce overall HVAC costs, from Phoenix, AZ.
- Flux Hybrids, hybrid and electric conversion kits that help reduce your vehicle's impact on both the environment and your pocket, from Raleigh, NC.
- Good Solar, a renewable energy and energy efficiency solution for nonprofits, from Charlotte, NC.
- GridX, a "gridBox" that allows local energy management of decentralized energy units, from Munich, GER.
- IND Technology, a system that proactively and remotely detects potential electrical faults before it's too late, from Melbourne, AUS.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, all cohort members will now work virtually throughout the 90-day program to showcase their products and services, connect with their surrounding communities, and launch pilot projects with Joules Accelerator ecosystem partners.
In past programs, the cohort kicks off with a two-day, in-person event that includes five minute pitch events in Raleigh and Charlotte, live connections to key stakeholders, and one-on-one meetings with potential buyers.
After this initial event, the organizations would then embark on their individual virtual business development advising throughout the remainder of the cohort, before ending the program with a one-day, in-person final pitch and closing ceremony.
Joules Accelerator was partnering with Duke Energy and EPRI to use the upcoming Electrification 2020 International Conference and Exposition on April 6-9 to launch Cohort 6, but in light of recent events, the conference and exposition has been postponed.
Instead, the organizers of Cohort 6 will assign each entrepreneur with a local advisory team, starting next week, who will challenge their standing business model and help them to navigate the varying ecosystems.
Thanks to EY's assistance in setting up the technology to do so, the digital kick-off portion of the program will allow each member of the cohort to pitch their business plan to the Carolina network during the beginning of April.
“By working smart and working together, our virtual program will connect municipalities, universities, utilities and industry to drive cleantech innovative solutions and jobs throughout the greater Charlotte and Research Triangle regions,” Irvin shared in regards to the program's upcoming adjustments.
Since 2016, Joules Accelerator has worked with over 35 companies through its previous cohorts, when the North Carolina Cleantech Corridor began hosting these programs.
Since 2013, the organization has attracted innovative entrepreneurs and startups from around the world to the Charlotte and Raleigh areas to promote cleantech products and services throughout the region.
Photo provided thanks to Joules Accelerator.
