Cleantech San Diego Wins Wells Fargo IN2 Strategic Award to Pilot Voucher Program for Startups
On April 8, 2025, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), an vitality expertise program funded by Wells Fargo and co-administered by the U.S. Division of Vitality’s Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory (NREL), introduced that Cleantech San Diego is amongst its 2025 Channel Accomplice Strategic Award winners. With $1 million in funding, this yr’s awards assist seven nationwide initiatives, specializing in commercialization and pilot alternatives to drive superior vitality innovation.
The choice committee evaluated functions based mostly on the potential for capability constructing, regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and action-oriented initiatives to strengthen the energy-tech ecosystem. Choice standards prioritized proposals that deal with commercialization gaps for vitality startups or created pilot alternatives by connecting startups with new markets by means of partnerships. Winners obtained funding between $100,000 to $200,000.
Cleantech San Diego will use the award to pilot a voucher program to offer startups in its Southern California Vitality Innovation Community (SCEIN) assist for engineering and manufacturing companies wanted in prototype growth, design, and testing. This system will leverage partnerships with member corporations and native prototype engineering companies to assist SCEIN startups de-risk their vitality expertise for traders and speed up their path to market.
“This yr’s awardees embody the daring, collaborative spirit that fuels vitality innovation,” mentioned Sarah Derdowski, IN2 program supervisor at NREL. “By closing commercialization gaps and constructing partnerships that join startups with potential finish customers, these initiatives aren’t simply advancing particular person ventures—they’re shaping a extra resilient and adaptable vitality future.”
“The number of regional illustration in these awards, from Alaska to Chicago to Tennessee and extra, demonstrates the necessity for, and potential of, capacity-building and commercialization pathways,” mentioned Jeffrey Schub, head of sustainability for Wells Fargo. “By fostering collaboration and connection amongst startups, organizations, and municipalities, these awards assist assist the deployment of vitality innovation and resilient options nationwide.”
IN2 launched the Channel Accomplice Strategic Awards program in 2017 to nurture the Channel Accomplice ecosystem, which incorporates greater than 60 vitality expertise incubators, accelerators, and universities. Since its inception, the IN2 Channel Accomplice Strategic Awards program has distributed greater than $9 million, supporting 90 IN2 Strategic Awards.
In regards to the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $55-million vitality expertise program funded by Wells Fargo and coadministered by the U.S. Division of Vitality’s Nationwide Renewable Vitality Laboratory. IN2 advances progressive vitality options from idea to commercialization. By bridging the hole between cutting-edge startups and market adopters, IN2 fosters collaboration throughout a rising ecosystem—convening entrepreneurs, trade stakeholders, and analysis establishments. By means of this networked method, IN2 accelerates real-world implementation and scaling of transformative applied sciences within the constructed surroundings and infrastructure sectors, driving a extra resilient, adaptable future. For extra info, go to www.in2ecosystem.com.
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