Clean-energy accelerator Grid Catalyst is presenting its first-annual Minnesota Cleantech Innovation Day next week.
The event, which is being co-hosted by 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM), Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and the University of Minnesota's Technological Leadership Institute, will take place June 7 at the 3M Innovation Center in Maplewood. It aims to bring together community members across sectors to build momentum for the clean-tech industry.
The event has already registered 50 businesses and organizations. It will include presentations from 12 startups that took part in one of Grid Catalyst's two cohorts, panel discussions that touch on emerging opportunities and investor perspectives as well as a presentation from keynote speaker, Taj Ahmad Eldridge.
Eldridge, a partner with San Francisco-based Include Ventures, has been in the investing industry for over 25 years, including in sectors like banking, asset management and entrepreneurship. He previously served as senior director of investments at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, according to a description.
The event will also include networking opportunities and 3M Innovation Center tours, according to the description.
Innovation in technology has become increasingly important in the energy sector, shifting people's focus from how much energy is being used to how it's being used, said Grid Catalyst Founder and President Nina Axelson.
"There's this global change happening and we want to position Minnesota for success, for leadership, for jobs and economic development," Axelson said. "... So this event is one of many steps we're taking to generate momentum, to bring partners together (and) to expose people to startups and new technologies that are really starting to change the way we do things."
Founded in 2021, Grid Catalyst works with energy-focused startups and entrepreneurs to help them bring their ideas to market through project demonstration, connections and mentorship. It has so far initiated a couple of programs for startups, including one for more late-stage startups and another called the PowerNorth Incubator.
Grid Catalyst also connects startups to high-profile companies through its Innovators Network, which includes 3M, Xcel Energy Inc., CenterPoint Energy Inc. and more.
Two other events surrounding the Cleantech Innovation Day event have also been planned, including a welcome reception on June 6 and a Cleantech Pathway event to share career opportunities on June 8. For more information on the series of events, click here.
