The applications are in for the Sustainable America / Greentown Labs Fellowship Program, and we’re excited by all the innovative startups that applied. We’ve narrowed the applicant pool down to nine exciting ventures engaged in trying to solve a number of problems in agriculture and transportation via sustainable solutions.
The finalists will pitch their business ideas to our judging panel on Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at EnergyBar: Sustainable America Edition, a fun, interactive networking event at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Mass., where the winner will be chosen. The winning team will receive a $5,000 cash grant for general operating expenses, rent covering a one-year residence in the co-working space at Greentown Labs in Somerville, Mass. (worth up to $5,000), and a brand-identity audit with follow-up advisement from marketing firm Ocupop. The event is open to the public; if you would like to attend, please register and consider becoming a Friend of Greentown Labs! (suggested $10 donation)
Congratulations to all nine finalists, and good luck in the competition! Here’s the full list:
Apitronics: open-source agriculture monitoring tools for small farms
Cryoocyte: improved aquaculture
Energy Intelligence: a road-based energy harvesting technology
EuphorbUS: forest-based biofuels grown on marginal land
EvapCool Shipping: refrigerated shipping containers reimagined for energy efficiency
Grove: a web-connected hydroponic sensor and control system
Life Force Juice: sustainably produced and delivered juices
Simplunch: logistical and IT services connecting sustainable produce growers with consumers
Vecarius: a thermo-electric generator system that reduces motor vehicle fuel consumption by 5-15% at lower cost than hybrids
Sustainable America aims to reduce U.S. oil consumption while increasing U.S. food production by raising awareness and supporting innovation. We believe in the power of entrepreneurs and markets to create positive change, and we invest in start-ups seeking to increase the sustainability of our food and transportation systems. We hope to bring similar fellowship programs to other regions of the country in partnership with leading universities and business incubators.
We’re proud to partner with Greentown Labs and Ocupop for this fellowship program. Greentown Labs enables entrepreneurs to solve the world’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Home to over 20 early-stage companies commercializing energy efficiency, energy generation, energy storage, renewable energy, water, and related technologies, Greentown Labs is the second-largest cleantech business incubator in the United States. Greentown Labs provides 24,000 square feet of office and prototyping space as well as shared machine and electronics shops, equipment, tools and modeling software, and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Through events and programs, Greentown Labs facilitates connections for start-ups with investors, government agencies, universities, and more experienced entrepreneurs, helping them to create and leverage the networks they need to successfully bring their technologies to market.
Ocupop is a boutique creative agency with offices in Honolulu, Milwaukee, and San Francisco. Known especially for identity, naming, brand strategy, user interface and experiential design, Ocupop offers everything from printed and digital collateral to software, environments, interiors, and consumer products for clients of nearly any scale.
