The New Mexico Clean Energy Resilience and Growth (NM CERG) cluster, funded in part by the United States Department of Energy and housed at New Mexico State University´s Arrowhead Center, will be offering the EnergySprint online accelerator to startups working on clean energy technologies.
EnergySprint is one of several modules under NM CERG, a cluster that serves as a catalyst to grow a regional energy innovation ecosystem, providing access to programs and resources that will support and grow clean energy tech businesses with broad impacts on New Mexico.
EnergySprint is seeking entrepreneurs and startups working in the clean energy space to apply to the free accelerator, which will take place from April 20 through May 25. The application deadline is March 31 and selected participants will be notified by April 10.
“Our sprint model facilitates connections between entrepreneurs and stakeholders, which allows for a better integration into the entrepreneurship ecosystem and relationship-building for potential investment,” said Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center and director of NM CERG. “It also places startups in an advantageous position to pursue follow-on funding, like Small Business Innovation Research, since they work through activities that identify customers and validate market feasibility.”
EnergySprint is an intensive, cohort-based accelerator that guides clean tech founders through technology market validation, emphasizing customer discovery, market insight, commercial potential and raising capital from investors. The sessions feature presentations, discussions, feedback, objectives-setting and mentorship from clean energy experts. Each session will host at least three mentors and advisers to help accelerate traction for the startups from the following areas: technology development, commercialization and capital.
Additionally, each participant will have access to weekly one-on-one meetings with an Arrowhead team member or mentor who provide customized assistance and address individual questions and concerns.
“During the sessions, founders will receive guidance from mentors and advisers to set objectives, engage with experts working on the frontiers of cleantech research, define next steps and capital raising strategies” said Carlos Murguia, EnergySprint program manager.
Featured advisers and mentors include accomplished entrepreneurs, experienced operators, active angel and venture investors, world-leading scientists, engineers, and economists.
To qualify for EnergySprint, startups must be based in New Mexico, have plans to move to New Mexico or have a technology that impacts New Mexico. Participants should also be available to attend a weekly two-hour virtual session for the duration of the cohort and to meet and work on clean energy technology.
For more information about EnergySprint contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or apply at https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/sprints/energysprint/.
