Accelerator Program
GROW + TOGETHER
Urban Future Lab and SecondMuse pioneered the GROW + TOGETHER Accelerator to merge the innovative forces of hardtech clean energy startups with the manufacturing industry in the Northeast US.
Supported by an EPIC award funded by the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions, this model aimed to accelerate hardtech startup integration into existing supply chains, overcoming common barriers to market penetration faced by innovative products.
To qualify, startups and manufacturers registered their interest for a virtual Startup-Manufacturer Matchmaking event, which facilitated conversations that cleared initial hurdles in the manufacturing process.
GROW + TOGETHER: Where Manufacturing Meets Innovation.
In April 2024, the Urban Future Lab (UFL) at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and SecondMuse were selected as Phase 1 winners of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Round 3 by the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Technology Transitions (OTT). This led to the launch of the GROW + TOGETHER program, which aims to merge the innovative forces of hardtech clean energy startups with the manufacturing industry in the Northeast US. The initiative aims to accelerate hardtech startup integration into existing supply chains, overcoming common barriers to market penetration faced by innovative products.
The GROW + TOGETHER program’s MVP (Minimum Viable Program) addressed a critical challenge faced by hardtech startups: finding the right contract manufacturers (CMs) to transition from prototype to full-scale production. By connecting climatetech innovators with manufacturers in the Northeast region, particularly in Upstate New York and Massachusetts, the program sought to leverage the area’s rich manufacturing heritage and expertise in electromechanical assemblies.
On September 17, 2024, a strategic matchmaking event facilitated meaningful connections, focused breakout sessions, expert talks, industry insights from leading institutions, and interactive Q&A sessions. The matchmaking event helped startups gain introductions to carefully vetted manufacturers with the capacity and willingness to engage with emerging companies.
These manufacturers offer flexibility in handling small batch sizes and adapting to unique production needs. This initiative helped them discover promising new business opportunities by connecting with startups that have specific manufacturing requirements and are positioned in high-growth markets.
About GROW + TOGETHER
Key takeaways
Key learnings from the MVP include the importance of cultural alignment between startups and manufacturers. Both parties need to share an innovation-driven mindset, with startups benefiting from manufacturers that are willing to offer value-added services such as design documentation, material selection, and quality assurance. The matchmaking event validated this need, as 17 collaboration opportunities were identified, and all four participating manufacturers submitted Letters of Interest (LOIs) to continue conversations with startups.
GROW + TOGETHER demonstrated the impact of strategic collaboration and thorough preparation. By engaging regional experts and providing preparatory workshops, the program maximized the effectiveness of the matchmaking event, ensuring startups were equipped with the right tools and knowledge to assess potential manufacturing partners.
GenH
Hub Controls
Pvilion
Senergy
Thalo Labs
Virv
Allied Microbiota
Banyon Power
C-Motive
ElectricFish
Electro-active Technologies
FiorHome
Floe
The startups present were:
The manufacturers present were:
PEKO Precision Products
Lightspeed Manufacturing
Worthington Assembly Inc.
SoPark Corporation
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