The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Launches Energize California with $5 Million Grant from the California Energy Commission

The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator today announced the launch of Energize California, a new initiative to strengthen the region’s clean energy economy by supporting the industry ecosystem and helping entrepreneurs access the business and technical services necessary to successfully bring new technologies to market.

Funded through a six-year, $5 million grant from the California Energy Commision (CEC), Energize California is part of the CEC’s statewide initiative to meet increasing demand for innovation in the energy sector as more renewable resources are deployed. Energize California will serve as the central coordinating organization for the clean energy sector in the region and will convene industry leaders to support new technologies and entrepreneurs 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 Energize California, where innovators can easily network with academia, industry, business and professional development resources, greatly enhances the chances of that happening here in Southern California.”

The Energize California Innovators program will help qualified clean energy entrepreneurs accelerate product commercialization and market entry by providing access to mentors, pilot programs, testing and prototyping facilities, as well as opportunities to connect with industry thought-leaders, funding sources and strategic partners.

“Southern California has long been a center of innovation, but entrepreneurs in the energy industry 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. “Now, for the first time through the Energize California Innovators program, an entrepreneur in Santa Barbara can access a technology pilot, a networking meeting, or a mentor relationship in Irvine and vice versa.”

Energize California has partnered with government, regulators, private industry, researchers, energy customers, utilities, investors, nonprofits, and community organizations to identify regional energy needs and help funnel early-stage energy technology solutions into the local region, especially into disadvantaged communities. In addition to the CEC and LACI, Energize California’s partners include: the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, Southern California Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Sustain OC, the Community Environmental Council, the California State University System, the LA Business Technology Center, Cleantech Open, FLoW, and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.