In a normal year, the Cleantech Open (CTO) National Academy is the main in-person kickoff event for Cleantech Open’s annual accelerator program hosted on each coast in California and either Boston or New York City. This year differed from previous years, with the East and West joining forces to hold the three-day program entirely online. The dynamic event was jam-packed with learning, lively conversation, and stimulating questions. With a total of 35 amazing speakers, 25 guest facilitators, and 260+ participants, the Academy was nothing short of a success. Key topics covered during the Academy included customer discovery, finance, fundraising, legal issues, and mentor relationships.
This year’s Academy placed special emphasis on helping startups incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) values into their businesses from day one.
As part of the 2021 Cohort, CTO has enhanced its DEI curriculum, and this update will have an important impact on CTO’s work to create an inclusive cleantech future that benefits all communities. While speaking at the Academy, Kerry Bowie of Browning the Green Space phrased it perfectly, saying: “There is not an absence of talent in this space, there is an absence of opportunity.” As the DEI panel explained, increasing diversity in cleantech is all about being intentional - startups can choose to incorporate DEI values in their recruitment activities, include a diversity pledge on their websites, commit to offering bias training for their employees, and much more. While it might be challenging for many small early-stage startups, CTO hopes to show through its enhanced DEI curriculum that taking these steps early in the development of a startup will pave the way for a more successful and equitable future.
Another important addition to this year’s CTO curriculum discussed during the Academy is the Simple Emissions Reduction Calculator (SERC) from Clean Energy Ventures. With the support of NYSERDA, Clean Energy Ventures is collaborating with the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (P2I) to create new content for the 2021 CTO cohort. Kim Bawden of P21 is hosting a three-part series during the accelerator that introduces the P2I workbook and the CEV tool, which together instruct the startups on how to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential. Having accessible and easy to use tools such as the SERC tool will be an essential resource for startups now and in the future. As more companies start to use the SERC tool and other calculators, they will not only be able to track their carbon emissions, but also proactively alter their business models to meet the world’s energy efficiency goals.
Other key takeaways from the 2021 Cleantech Open National Academy included:
Flexibility is key. When running a startup you need to be willing and able to pivot. As Vanessa Chan, Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Transitions at the U.S. Department of Energy said during the Academy, “Entrepreneurship is like a game of chutes and ladders.”
Do your homework!! On all levels. Complete your Cleantech Open Accelerator deliverables, research potential investors and go after them, and know when it is necessary to engage a lawyer.
Diversity increases productivity.
And from Tim Hoffman, New York City Metro Director, Cleantech Open Northeast: “The value you get out of the CTO program is a function of the effort you put in.”
The startups’ energy and dedication to the CTO program was contagious. Even through Zoom, the Academy was successful in facilitating riveting discussions, workshops and talks. It is inspiring to see all the people who are working to achieve a cleantech future, and it will be incredible to see how the companies learn and grow throughout the program.
Cassia Schuler is the 2021 Summer Innovation Intern at Cleantech Open Northeast, She is a student at Wellesley College, where she is studying Environmental Studies and Spanish.
Katie West is Program Coordinator at Cleantech Open Northeast. She is a Co-op from Northeastern University, where she is studying International Affairs and Cultural Anthropology.
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