As a vertically integrated engine for climate innovation, we are unique combination of accelerator + venture funding + strategic partner network that offers seamless support for startups to succeed. In other words, we strongly believe that our whole is far greater than the sum of our component parts.
- Investment: You have the option to take a $100k investment. Through our network of deeply engaged startup investors, you are also first in line for $100M+ follow-on funding as you progress through the program.
- Partners: Our corporate partners are all investors in the program, and play a significant role in helping us select our focus areas and companies. We facilitate interactions with these corporate partners to help you close deals with them. Whether as customers, partners, investors, or acquirors, they want to work with YOU!
- Network: Access to RMI’s 250+ energy professionals’ expertise and network. RMI works across power, transport, buildings and industrial sectors on 6 continents and has deep connections to all parts of the energy value chain including government, corporates and NGOs.
- Training: The program is designed to help you both work on, and work in your business.
- Deal facilitation.
- Social Proof: Getting chosen to be in the program means that you have been vetted and selected from a large field of companies. Investors, customers and companies often take acceptance into accelerators as a vote of confidence for your business.
- Community: Connections to a community of support, including the program itself, mentors, Rocky Mountain Institute, and New Energy Nexus.
We're looking for clean solutions in the realms of:
- Electricity production, transmission/distribution, and storage
- Transportation
- Buildings and built environment
- Industry (including heating, cooling, materials, biofuels, data centers, recycling, plastics, etc.)
- Food and agriculture
- Carbon capture, utilization, and storage
- Climate and world-positive software, hardware, and hard-tech
- Business model and finance innovation around any of the above
We also encourage you to apply even if you don’t fit neatly into one of the above boxes. Solving energy and climate requires many fresh and out-of-the-box approaches; tell us about your venture through the short application and we promise to provide rapid feedback on fit with our program.
What are the minimum requirements?
- Business structure: You are a for-profit, registered company (in any geography; this is a global program)
- Staff: You have at least two full-time employees
- Technology: The basic science behind your business should be resolved, so you should be able to have at least a lab test, or more. This is about TRL level 3–4.
- Geography: We enthusiastically accept startups from any country in the world.
Who are your investors and corporate partners so far?
Confirmed corporate partners (to date) include Microsoft, AT&T, and Wells Fargo. Supporting investors (to date) include Imperative Ventures, Emerald Technology Ventures, and Tsing Capital. Note that we’re in the process of confirming even more global partners, and we’ll keep this FAQ response updated as soon as we can!
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