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Dear Friends of Greentown Houston,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a fun, safe holiday season however you may have spent it. We might be less than a month into 2023, but we are already having an action-packed year at Greentown!

As part of our TEX-E program, we’re thrilled to be accepting applications for the TEX-E Prize, a multi-round startup competition for Texas students! Through the prize, we aim to encourage students across the state to pursue entrepreneurship as a means of advancing the energy transition. Winners will receive a total of $50,000 in cash prizes, and applications are due Jan. 29. Students can learn more and apply here; if you know someone who may be interested, please forward them this email!

We’re also excited to launch our newest Greentown Go program: Go Energize 2023! Through this collaboration with Vineyard Wind and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, we’ll be supporting offshore wind (OSW) startups as they work to scale; benefits provided to startups will include access to developers and other organizations in the OSW space, non-dilutive funding, resources through Greentown including mentorship and networking opportunities, and more. Applications are due April 4—read the RFP for more information and apply here!

In addition to opening these exciting programs, we’ve been lucky to have climatetech leaders visit the incubator and meet with our member community! Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of hosting a group from the Department of Energy (DOE), including representatives from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) and the Loan Programs Office. Through a Lunch & Learn, our members heard from David Crane, Director of the OCED, about what startup collaborations with the DOE look like and the office’s plans to deploy various cleantech solutions in the coming years.

Networking and discussion opportunities like these are just one example of the benefits our members get; through our network and incubator space, we provide climatetech startups with the tools they need to succeed. We’re feeling especially energized in our mission as we go into 2023 knowing that Houston is the place to support this innovation—the city ranks fourth in the U.S. for average funding raised by local sustainability-focused startups, and Texas was named the third-best state to start a business this year!

The time for climate action is now, and we’re in just the right time and place to make it happen. Ready to join us in building a decarbonized, resilient future? Learn more about joining the community and what we offer here.

Warmly,
The Greentown Houston Team

Meet Our Newest Members

ALGBIO is using microalgae to capture CO2 during wastewater processing to produce biofuels, carbon credits, and more.

Frakktal is developing a fully bio-based PVC (polyvinyl chloride) replacement for use in the built environment.

Ohmium designs and commissions reliable, cost-effective green hydrogen electrolyzers that boost businesses’ operational efficiency, sustainability, and economics.

STEM Americas Foundation provides an exciting, creative, and engaging learning environment in science, technology, engineering, and math to kids to maximize their individual potential.

Do you run or know of a startup that’s interested in joining our community? Learn about what Greentown membership includes here and get in touch!

Startup Spotlight

Today, cow manure is a significant source of GHG emissions and pollutants. Lignium Energy's innovative technology turns this manure into odorless combustion pellets that can be used as inexpensive, climate-friendly fuel and provide a new source of revenue to farmers. Read about the startup here!

Member Milestones

Aeromine Technologies received an investment and endorsement from AEC Angels, an investment platform focused on architecture, engineering, and construction technologies.
Alma Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Texas El Paso, adding a critical mineral extraction technology to the portfolio of tools it’s using to scale geothermal energy.
Aja Labs raised a $2.5M seed round to accelerate commercialization of its environmentally friendly synthetic hair alternative.
In partnership with Costa Rican solar company Sunshine, Energy Toolbase deployed its Acumen EMS™ controls software at a pharmaceutical facility to help it reduce its utility bill and improve efficiency.
Fervo Energy, OhmConnect, and Syzygy Plasmonics were included in the Cleantech Group’s 2023 Global Cleantech 100.
Katz Water Technologies, Pressure Corp, and Renewell Energy were named by InnovationMap as renewable energy startups leading the energy transition in Houston.

Juliana Garaizar Promoted to CDO + Open Roles at Greentown

The New Year has brought some exciting developments at Greentown, including within our Houston team: we’re delighted to share that our Head of Houston Incubator + VP of Innovation Juliana Garaizar has been promoted to Chief Development and Investment Officer!

Our team is also growing! We are excited to share that we are hiring a Houston General Manager and an Events Manager.

Ecosystem News and Opportunities

Jan. 25-Feb. 1: “Venture Capital for First-Time Founders” Workshop Series
We’re excited to be a partner for this workshop series, hosted by the Ion and Energy Transition Venture’s Neal Dikeman!

Jan. 26: REAL Houston 2023 Kickoff
Join Renewable Energy Alliance (REAL) Houston for its 2023 kickoff, featuring a panel on what’s in store for the renewable energy industry this year and a happy hour.

Jan. 28: Black Girls Do Engineer’s Carbon Footprint Reduction Innovation Project Symposium
Our member Black Girls Do Engineer’s high school students will be presenting the results of their Innovation Project, which allowed them to develop solutions to everyday environmental problems.

Feb. 9: Applications due for the HETI Energy Ventures Pitch Competition
Through the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), the Greater Houston Partnership is now accepting applications from startups working to advance the energy transition for its pitch competition at CERAWeek on March 8!

Feb. 16: Engage VC — Lerer Hippeau
Join the HX Venture Fund at the Ion for networking and a fireside chat with Lerer Hippeau, an early-stage VC firm from New York City!

Feb. 28: Houston Tech Rodeo Event at Greentown Houston
Join us as part of Houston Tech Rodeo, a conference showcasing the best and brightest of the Houston startup community by bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and creative minds in a room to talk about the biggest innovations and the future of tech. Stick around after the event for a happy hour and tequila tasting sponsored by Blue People.

March 10: Signup deadline for the Repsol Foundation Entrepreneurs Fund
Startups selected for the Repsol Foundation’s Entrepreneurs Fund will receive financial support of up to €100,000 and possibly an opportunity to pilot test with Repsol.

April 19-22: EarthX’s E-Capital Summit
Join EarthX at its annual summit to network with investment, business, and policy leaders, and possibly even pitch your early-stage climate technology!

June 5-7: Circularity 23
Circularity 23 convenes professionals working to build a circular economy for actionable discussions, networking opportunities, and more. Greentown is thrilled to be an Accelerate Partner for this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

Thank You to Our Founding + Grand Opening Partners 🌎

Kicking off 2023 with the TEX-E Prize, a new Greentown Go program, and more!

From The Ecosystem

Kicking off 2023 with the TEX-E Prize, a new Greentown Go program, and more!