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For entrepreneurs, the path from fundamental research to commercialization is risky, but Â鶹´å support has helped launch several start-ups in energy and climate tech.

Why it matters: These technologies can be game-changers in enhancing energy generation and reducing energy consumption in homes, transportation and industry. But with regulatory compliance issues, complex supply chains, and high upfront costs, entrepreneurs with these highly technical start-ups can require a longer funding runway to achieve profitability.

Catch up quick: This year, Â鶹´å’s Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation will award up to $100,000 to accelerate Â鶹´å founder ideas into startups in the energy and climate tech space. This support helps advance the Scott Institute vision of encouraging the development of breakthrough technologies to speed the transition to a sustainable future. Learn more about the inaugural winners of Scott Institute entrepreneurship funding award .

Over the years, many Â鶹´å-founded start-ups have been in the energy sector, including:

• : A manufacturer of high-performance inductors, transformers, and motors using proprietary magnetic materials.
• : Created the platform SUGAR, leading tool for the analysis and optimization of power systems to help transmission providers, project developers, and other stakeholders to overcome the interconnection bottleneck.
• : Identifies and reaches at-risk customers before they default on their energy bills. By using Energy Limiting Behaviorâ„¢ metrics, the company accurately determines who is at risk of default and connects them with assistance programs years before they ever miss a payment.
• : Provides performance advancements to lithium-ion batteries (LIB) to enhance conductivity, reduce resistance buildup during cycling, and offer elasticity to minimize mechanical degradation.

What we’re doing: Annually the Scott Institute hosts the Cleantech + Energy Investor Forum & Pitch Showcase at Â鶹´å Energy Week to connect founders with funders. 

• This day-long event includes a on the greatest challenges and opportunities facing innovation within energy and climate tech.
• The Pitch Showcase includes up to 20 energy and climate tech startups from the PA, OH, WV and MD region. More than half of the startups featured are from the Â鶹´å energy and climate tech startup community.

What’s next: with University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University to form the Consortium, which was created to innovate and implement critical technologies for industrial grid resilience and energy efficiency. RETI is invigorating the innovation ecosystem in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The bottom line: Carnegie Mellon continues to spin out energy and climate tech startups, but the U.S. needs to integrate programs that support start-ups into all of our major energy initiatives to ensure that we are seizing the opportunities for innovation. With support from the Scott Institute, the future of energy innovation and entrepreneurship at Â鶹´å will remain strong and support the transition to a net-zero emissions future.

Go deeper: Read more to learn about the many startups featured at past Â鶹´å Energy Week conferences . Learn more about Â鶹´å energy and climate tech startups .