CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts -- March 14th, 2011 -- U-Launch, a grant-based award initiative that provides funded services to promising university-based clean energy start-ups, today announced the first recipients of its 2011 grant awards. The grants will be used to assist two Boston-area companies in validating, developing and deploying innovative cleantech solutions.
This was made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as part of its Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative, administered by the Commercialization and Deployment Team. The purpose of the Innovation Ecosystems is to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies from our nation's university laboratories into the marketplace. Fraunhofer was named a member of the Innovation Ecosystems as part of the Obama Administration's effort to spur economic activity through scientific innovation.
The following two companies represent the first awardees for U-Launch grants:
- N12 Technologies, a Cambridge, MA-based company commercializing advanced materials technology at MIT. The award includes manufacturing development assistance from the Fraunhofer Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI), business consulting services from the New England Clean Energy Foundation (NECEF) and the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), and cash to purchase equipment to manufacture and deliver prototypes.
- iBLogix, a Waltham-based building information software company that employs data-aggregation and analysis technology, is commercializing a system developed to remotely profile the energy performance of buildings. U-Launch is awarding iBLogix research and development services for field testing of their technology with the Building Energy Efficiency Group at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems.
The two winners were selected from a pool of applicants representing technology and research from 20 universities, including 16 located within the greater New England area. Applications were judged by U-Launch program partners and select investors and technologists affiliated with U-Launch, with evaluations based on the quality and market potential of the technology and accompanying business overview.
“These innovative clean energy entrepreneurs have high potential to bring their solutions to market,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “The U-Launch team will help these teams leverage Massachusetts’ world-class clean energy community.”
"N12 and iBLogix are excellent examples of the kinds of companies U-Launch was created to support," said Eric Graham, Director of Fraunhofer CSE's TechBridge Program. “In both cases, the combination of strong technology and a solid business plan made it obvious that these were start-ups with the potential for long-term market impact. Their success will not only underline New England's growing reputation as a leading source of cleantech innovation, but also help create much-needed 'green-collar' jobs in the area."
"We're excited to be working with two promising new players in the cleantech space," said Peter Rothstein, President of the New England Clean Energy Council, the organization supported by NECEF. "Both of these start-ups are prime examples of what New England's ecosystem - with its experienced entrepreneurs, robust state-level support and world renowned research capacity - is capable of producing."
Additionally, three finalists are eligible for incubation awards to be used for lab and office start-up space within the ACTION Network. “We’re pleased to provide these promising companies the opportunity to continue developing their technologies in a supportive environment through the ACTION Network,” said Michael Ryan, Executive Director of ACTION. The three finalists are:
- Altaeros: novel airborne wind turbines
- Clean Energy Innovations (CEI): battery system energy management
- Thermeleon: thermally responsive roofing materials
U-Launch is currently accepting applications for the next round of grants. For more information, including the application form, please visit the official U-Launch website at www.cse.fraunhofer.org/u-launch.
About U-Launch
U-Launch was founded in 2010 with the aim of supporting university clean energy technologies in their transition from the laboratory to the market, and is partially funded by a three-year, $1.1M award from the U.S. Department of Energy's Innovation Ecosystem Development Initiative. The program is administered by four leading New England cleantech organizations: the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE), the New England Clean Energy Foundation (NECEF), the Association of CleanTech Incubators of New England (ACTION) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). Each member of the U-Launch team provides critical early-stage resources for university-based start-ups and spinouts. U-Launch grants are awarded to high potential university-based technologies. Grants are comprised of funded services tailored to enhance the future market and funding potential of the individual awardee, and can include business model review or development, market analysis, technical feasibility studies, prototype development assistance, technology validation, executive-in-residence guidance, and incubation space.
About Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems
Based in Cambridge, MA, the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is a non-profit applied research and development laboratory dedicated to the commercialization of clean energy technologies. CSE focuses on PV modules, building energy efficiency and smart grid research. Fraunhofer engages in collaborative research and development with private companies, government entities and academic institutions, performing research that broadly benefits firms, industries and society. The Fraunhofer TechBridge Program is specifically devoted to providing R&D and commercialization assistance services to early stage startup companies. TechBridge leverages the capabilities of 15 Institutes that are part of the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance and works with strategic corporate partners and VC firms to fund promising early stage technologies.
About the New England Clean Energy Foundation
The New England Clean Energy Foundation’s mission, as a supporting entity of the New England Clean Energy Council, is to accelerate New England’s clean energy economy to global leadership through educational and enrichment programs and events. The Foundation funds projects in the areas of Innovation, Education & Workforce Development, and Research. For additional information please visit: http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org/foundation.
About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
Created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008, MassCEC’s mission is to foster growth of the Massachusetts clean energy industry through funding to companies, universities and nonprofit organizations; job training programs; and workforce development grants. MassCEC is also home to the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, which supports the installation of renewable energy technologies with funds provided by small renewable energy charges on electric bills. For additional information, please visit www.MassCEC.com.
About the Association of Cleantech Incubators of New England (ACTION)
The ACTION Network is a consortium of cleantech incubators throughout New England. For the incubator management organizations, ACTION provides a common set of best practices and materials to support operations. For the entrepreneurs in the incubators, ACTION creates a network of collaborators around industry sub-sectors to accelerate commercialization and growth. For the cleantech industry, ACTION provides a network of physical locations where experienced executives can engage with the cleantech industry and become involved with supporting business growth. For industry associations, universities, public officials and NGOs, ACTION is an important economic development engine, a technology commercialization platform and contributor to the growth of the New England clean energy cluster. For additional information, please visit www.innovativeACTION.org.