Greentown Labs receives U.S. Department of Energy funding for its deep expertise and proven track record helping cleantech innovators and entrepreneurs succeed
Somerville, Mass., September 10, 2018 – Greentown Labs today announced it is one of five organizations selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to facilitate and grow the American-Made Solar Prize. As a Power Connector, Greentown Labs will receive $100,000 to ensure the success of the Solar Prize, which is designed to encourage innovation and revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing.
NREL selected Power Connectors for their vision, strength of networks, track record of success, and geographic diversity, among other factors. Greentown Labs brings significant experience supporting cleantech startups and running solar-focused accelerator programs which will help the Solar Prize achieve its goal of growing the solar innovation ecosystem and revitalizing American solar manufacturing.
Greentown Labs has built a unique and carefully cultivated network of solar entrepreneurs, investors, corporate partners, supply chain participants, mentors and others through its 2016 and 2017 solar-focused Greentown Launch programs in partnership with DSM. The incubator will apply the power of its regional network to the American-Made Solar Prize to build momentum around the program and the American solar industry at large.
“Greentown Labs is proud to serve as a Power Connector because of how well the program’s mission aligns with our incubator’s overall goals,” said Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs. “The American-Made Solar Prize incentivizes the nation’s entrepreneurs to rapidly discover, research, iterate, and bring new solutions to market to expand solar manufacturing in the United States. Our team is working to help startups bring their hardware-focused innovations to market faster through our startup-oriented programming and we’re eager to support more early-stage companies in their solar manufacturing efforts.”
In May 2019, Greentown Labs will host a national DEMO day at the conclusion of the final contest, the Go! Contest. It will feature competitors and bring together distinguished judges and key stakeholders, such as investors, customers, or collaborators that may be positioned to help competitors move their innovations forward.
The American-Made Solar Prize is designed to accelerate and sustain American solar innovation through a series of prize competitions and the development of a diverse and powerful support network. Greentown Labs is excited by the impact this network can make on the American solar industry. As a Power Connector, Greentown Labs will work with its fellow Power Connectors, participating entrepreneurs, NREL and other industry leaders to develop solutions that address real issues in the solar market.
To learn more about Greentown Labs’ programming and ongoing updates about the Solar Prize, please visit www.greentownlabs.com.
About Greentown Labs
Greentown Labs is a community of bold, passionate entrepreneurs creating world-changing energy technologies that transform the way we live, work, and play. Located in Somerville, Mass., and founded in 2011, the Greentown Labs Global Center for Cleantech Innovation is the largest cleantech incubator in the United States, operating a 100,000 sq. ft. campus that empowers entrepreneurs to solve today’s biggest energy and environmental problems. Its mission is to enable a vibrant community of startups to realize their visions by providing access to the resources, labs, and funding they need to thrive. For more information, please visit www.greentownlabs.com or find us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About the American-Made Solar Prize
The American-Made Solar Prize is a $3 million prize competition designed to revitalize U.S. solar manufacturing through a series of contests and the development of a diverse and powerful support network that leverages national laboratories, energy incubators, and other resources across the country. The American-Made Solar Prize is directed and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. Learn more.
Greentown Labs Media Contact:
Julia Travaglini
julia@greentownlabs.com
888-954-6836 ext. 1