Making Hardtech Easier

The REACH Energy Accelerator: Helping entrepreneurs commercialize energy hardtech innovation

Uniting
hardtech innovation
across 14 states
Collaborating
to support founders
and change the world

Expanding our REACH

Interest in the REACH Energy Accelerator coupled with a stacked regional talent pool led to an inaugural program at 130% capacity. Local industries matched that interest to fund the additional participants, and the 2022 REACH Cohort was on its way. Now in the midst of an intensive 12-month training program, the 13 participants include energy startups, entrepreneurs, and founders in the 14-state Rocky Mountain Great Plains region.

💡 The REACH Energy Accelerator is now accepting applications from energy hardtech startups, entrepreneurs, university faculty, and founders to join the 2023 cohort! Application deadline is November 18th, 2022 and teams will be notified by December 16th.

The program provides hardtech-based consulting, prototyping, testing, technoeconomic analysis support, market research, and other business support services to startup companies located throughout mid-America. Accepted founders receive 12 months of support at NO cost!

About REACH

Plug

In

As a participant, your company will tap into the best talent, tools, and resources in energy hardtech commercialization, including:

  • One-on-one consultation
  • Prototyping and testing
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Market research and business support
Get with the program

Collaborate and launch

Ready to take your energy hardtech advances to the next level — and to market? We’re accepting applications for the 2023 REACH Cohort now.

Apply today

Powered by

REACH Funding Partners

The REACH Energy Accelerator is made possible by funding from the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT), which serves as the central hub for the technology transfer activities across the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) extensive R&D enterprise.

The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a technology incubator for cleantech startups. Co-founded and managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) since 2014, its results are transformative and catalytic. IN2 funded an additional 3 teams in the 2022 Cohort.

University Partners and Referring Institutions

  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Colorado State University
  • Idaho National Lab
  • Iowa State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Montana State University
  • National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
  • North Dakota State University
  • Oklahoma State University
  • South Dakota School of Mines
  • Texas Tech University
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Nebraska
  • University of New Mexico
  • University of Utah
  • University of Wyoming
  • Utah State University
  • Wichita State University
  • Wyoming Ranch