Date: 01/31/2020
Writer: Cassie McClure, 575-312-3242, cassie@mcclurepublications.com

		New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering and Arrowhead Center are collaborating to focus on clean energy as a business opportunity. They are seeking entrepreneurs and businesses to apply to the new EnergySprint, a five-week venture builder for New Mexico innovators in clean energy technology. Applications close March 6. (Courtesy)

New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering and Arrowhead Center are collaborating to focus on clean energy as a business opportunity. They are seeking entrepreneurs and businesses to apply to the new EnergySprint, a five-week venture builder for New Mexico innovators in clean energy technology. Applications close March 6.

“Clean energy is an emerging economic opportunity to create and retain jobs, enhance innovation, and foster regional connectivity,” said Zetdi Sloan, director of Arrowhead Accelerator Programs. “We are hoping to find startups and established businesses that are leading the creation of innovative solutions in renewable energy, energy storage, and applications of energy to cyber security.”

The NMSU College of Engineering offers world-class education on aspects, practices and benefits of green energy, while Arrowhead Center provides entrepreneurship and innovation programs and services to the NMSU system community as well as the broader statewide community. Working together, the project is called the Innovation and Commercialization for a Regional Energy Workforce, or I-CREW. It is an opportunity to create the clean, sustainable, well-paying jobs necessary for communities to thrive.

“The Engineering New Mexico Resource Network is committed to the I-CREW project by educating individuals and businesses in the aspects, practices and the benefits of clean energy,” said Jalal Rastegary, research scientist at the College of Engineering and ENMRN member. “Job training in New Mexico for the new jobs that will emerge as the renewable energy industry grows is critical, especially as it starts to improve the environmental performance of businesses.”

By participating in EnergySprint, businesses and entrepreneurs will receive business coaching, access to industry, business, and technical experts, as well as access to professional service providers through micro grants.

Program graduates also have the opportunity to join Arrowhead Ventures, where they will benefit from continued business and technical advising, academic and industry connections, and up to $20,000 in Amazon Web Service Credits. Some participants may also qualify for Arrowhead Innovation Fund investment consideration. EnergySprint is funded through generous grants from the New Mexico Gas Company, an Emera Company, and the State of New Mexico.

Requirements for EnergySprint include:

– The entrepreneur and business must be based in New Mexico.
– Availability to attend one three-hour and four two-hour workshops virtually or in-person.
– To successfully complete EnergySprint, teams are expected to conduct 30 interviews with potential customers for their product or service.
– Participants must have plans to sell their products or services outside New Mexico.

For more information about Energy Sprint, contact Isabella Pedicone at iped@nmsu.edu or apply at https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/sprints/energysprint/