Four San Diego-Based Cleantech Startups to Pitch at National Renewable Energy Labs Industry Growth Forum Competition
Southern California Energy Innovation Network companies GridWrap, SiLi-ion, TYFAST, and Looq among 40 companies selected to present
SAN DIEGO, CA, February 28, 2024 – On February 20, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced the list of 40 presenters for the 2024 NREL Industry Growth Forum (IGF) being held May 1-3, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. GridWrap, SiLi-ion, TYFAST, and Looq AI, four local energy startups engaged in Cleantech San Diego’s Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN), are among the finalists in the national cleantech competition – selected for their potential to break new ground in the national and global transformation to a clean energy future.
GridWrap, SiLi-ion, and TYFAST were selected to present in the Early Stage category and Looq was selected to present in the Commercial Stage category. They were chosen by a selection committee of more than 150 climate tech and cleantech investors and industry experts who reviewed 211 applicants coming from 32 states and 11 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and India.
IGF draws a robust VC audience and conference organizers predict more than 165 investors could hold more than 2,000 meetings during the event. Since the first IGF, the effort has resulted in billions of dollars of investments into startup and early-stage companies.
“It is exciting to see San Diego’s clean energy entrepreneurs making headlines and bringing their breakthrough innovations to national and global stages with influential investor audiences,” said Cleantech San Diego President and CEO Jason Anderson. “The SCEIN startups heading to NREL’s Industry Growth Forum this year as well as the nearly 35 others we are actively to supporting right here in San Diego are on a path to meaningfully transform our energy future as we know it. It is inspiring to support their growth and market traction.”
GridWrap is a women-owned enterprise is commercializing a patented novel technology that will structurally strengthen grid lines by using advanced hybrid composite materials. GridWrap’s Composite WiRe Wrap™ increases ampacity, the power capacity of existing grid lines, and extends lifespan while also addressing thermal sagging, with no downtime and minimal capital investment. This is a key requirement for achieving safe, resilient, and reliable 100% renewable energy goals.
SiLi-Ion produces silicon nanoparticles using its industry-unique, patented low-temperature plasma process and then incases them in a patented advanced graphitic flake. This results in a three- to four-times increase in energy density and fully replaces the U.S.-identified “critical mineral” graphite. The material is “drop-in” ready to ensure seamless integration into the current battery manufacturing process.
TYFAST is developing the longest-lasting, fast charging high-energy lithium batteries for high-duty cycle and autonomous applications that operate 24/7. TYFAST aims to deliver battery cells with an extended 20,000 cycle life, an ultrafast three-minute charging capability, and enhanced safety over conventional lithium batteries.
Looq AI automates the creation of 3D Digital Twins- capturing the complex physical world and creating detailed 3D models for the energy sector. The company’s hardware and software vision technology cuts field survey times by over 100 times, amplifies data value using its proprietary AI, and powers collaboration across global engineering teams. Looq is a revenue generating startup in its go-to-market phase, dedicated to bringing AI to build a better built world.
A full list of the presenting companies and their categories can be found here.
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About Cleantech San Diego
Cleantech San Diego is a member-based business association that positions the greater San Diego region as a global leader in the cleantech economy and smart cities movement. As a nonprofit organization, Cleantech San Diego is uniquely suited to support the industry by fostering collaborations across the private-public-academic landscape, leading advocacy efforts to promote cleantech priorities, and encouraging more equitable investment across the San Diego region. Stakeholders include more than 130 businesses, universities, governments, and nonprofits committed to advancing sustainable solutions for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and all members of the community. Learn more at cleantechsandiego.org.
About the Southern California Energy Innovation Network
The Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN) is a free incubator program for clean energy startups based in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial counties that are developing technologies to help California meet its climate goals. The program provides access to the resources and facilities of regional partner organizations and connections with industry in order to accelerate the commercialization of emerging energy technologies. Managed by Cleantech San Diego, the program is the result of multiple grants from the California Energy Commission to help advance California’s energy innovation industry. SCEIN applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Anyone interested in applying as an entrepreneur, becoming a mentor, joining the Technical Advisory Committee, or hosting a pilot demonstration project, can learn more at cleantechsandiego.org/scein.
Media Contact:
Shannon Bresnahan, Cleantech San Diego, 858-568-7777, shannonb@cleantechsandiego.org
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