Southern California Program Brings Together Clean Energy Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders
On the strength of a California Energy Commission grant, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) launched a new initiative in May that will strengthen the region’s clean energy economy by helping entrepreneurs access the business and technical services necessary to bring new technologies to market.
Energize California will serve as the coordinating organization for the region’s clean energy sector and will bring together industry leaders to support entrepreneurs and new technologies in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties.
“You never know where the next great clean energy idea will come from,” said Energy Commission Chair Robert Weisenmiller, “but having a centralized program like this where innovators can easily network with academia, industry, business and professional development resources, greatly enhances the chances of that happening there.”
The initiative will connect clean energy entrepreneurs with mentors, industry thought-leaders, testing and prototyping facilities, funding sources and strategic partners.
“Energy entrepreneurs have struggled to locate and connect with the resources and networks needed to commercialize their products,” said Amanda Sabicer, LACI vice president of Energize California.
Energize California and its partnering organizations will also identify energy needs and help funnel early-stage energy technology solutions into the local region and especially into disadvantaged communities.
LACI received a $5 million grant last year through the Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge program, which supports innovations and strategies that advance clean energy technologies.
