NextEnergy's mission is to accelerate advanced energy investment and jobs in Michigan through several services: vetting technologies, providing business consulting and funding matches, hosting demonstrations, and informing policymakers. The panel discussed the core differences energy startups face compared to other sectors, like longer development cycles and a need for prototyping. Specifically in Michigan, programs providing funding and partnerships with investors, corporations, and universities have benefited energy companies, though more relationship building and tailored incubator support could further help startups navigate to market. The next Michigan Energy Forum event will focus on distributed energy storage opportunities.
6. 5
High-level
What are core differences between energy
start-ups and other sectors?
Investment and industry trends
Path to market
Relationship to corporations
Prototyping and demonstration needs
How does that affect their needs?
7. 6
Focus on Michigan
What is working for energy companies in
the ecosystem?
Specific programs (funding, service, otherwise)
Relationships (w/
investors, corporates, universities, federal
government)
Competitions
Incubator ecosystem
What isn’t?
8. 7
Next steps
What tangible efforts are needed?
New programs / existing programs
Relationship building (w/
investors, corporates, universities, federal
government)
Competitions
Incubator ecosystem
Who are we: We’re a 501(c) non-profit located in Detroit MI.What does NextEnergy do: We accelerate advanced energy investment + job growth in MichiganHow do we do it: 3 core areas -- Market Services: vetting technology, helping grow businesses, and working with Michigan’s robust entrepreneur eco-system. -- Tech demos + Commercialization: NextEnergy campus, testing platforms, design programs with product commercialization in mind -- Public Sector Leadership: Work with policy leaders around the stateAt the end of the day….we’re an incubator
Who are we: We’re a 501(c) non-profit located in Detroit MI.What does NextEnergy do: We accelerate advanced energy investment + job growth in MichiganHow do we do it: 3 core areas -- Market Services: vetting technology, helping grow businesses, and working with Michigan’s robust entrepreneur eco-system. -- Tech demos + Commercialization: NextEnergy campus, testing platforms, design programs with product commercialization in mind -- Public Sector Leadership: Work with policy leaders around the stateAt the end of the day….we’re an incubator
Companies in our cluster have many needs – access to financing being one, shared infrastructure to test and demonstrate, channel partnerships for future sales and distribution another Leveraged funding mechanisms… for company expansion (?)