Apply to the Climate Tech LaunchPad

March 19, 2024

Applications are open for startups in the United States that are working to reduce inequities exacerbated by climate change

Dream.Org’s Climate Tech LaunchPad is helping Black and Brown innovators scale cutting-edge ideas that move the needle on climate equity. By reducing barriers for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in the climate tech space, we are helping ensure that those most impacted by climate change not only benefit from new green tech, but that they are also active participants in shaping what those solutions are.

Thanks to support from Salesforce, Dream.Org is teaming up with Village Capital to launch this milestone-based fellowship program for 10 Black- and Brown-led climate tech startups

Applications close on May 6, 2024. Program details and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Why Now?

With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, $369B has been allocated for climate investment over the next 10 years. As a result of this historic action by the government, the green economy will surely see a boom. However, Black and Brown innovators and entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers – especially with respect to accessing capital – that prevent or limit their ability to grow and scale to seize the moment.

Dream.Org is building an inclusive green economy. We work to ensure that U.S. climate investment goes to the people and places most impacted by poverty and pollution - and that it flows through minority-owned businesses to produce massive work, wealth, and health benefits for working-class communities and communities of color.

Participating entrepreneurs will be a part of an invaluable network of Black and Brown founders and engage directly with Dream.Org's coveted Dream Entrepreneurs Network throughout the fellowship program.

Program Features

The cohort will focus on climate justice, prioritizing solutions including electric transportation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and more. The cohort will also learn how to leverage Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dollars to fund these projects. Each entrepreneur will create their own milestone development plan towards investment readiness, growth and impact. The program also includes:

Small group and 1:1 sessions
Direct key stakeholder engagement
Tailored 1:1 investment analyst support
Mentorship and networking
In-Person Program Summit and Demo-Day

Each participant will receive an equity-free grant fund of USD $5,000 for their participation to incentivize milestone completion. The top two peer-selected startups will receive an equity-free grant funding of USD $25,000 from Dream.Org.

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for 10 startups focused on addressing:

Energy: Solutions that increase accessibility to solar energy, energy storage, and grid management. Examples include community solar, solar financing, agrivoltaics, thermal, battery storage, energy storage optimization software, real-time monitoring, and enhanced renewable energy integration.
Built Environment: Solutions that decarbonize heating and cooling in buildings, energy efficiency technologies, and innovative construction methods. Examples include efficient heat pumps, efficient lighting, improved insulation, intelligent building efficiency solutions, clean construction materials, modular construction, 3D printing, and software that helps manage building projects.
Electric Transportation and Infrastructure: Solutions that improve EV infrastructure, EV battery technology, and models that promote affordable access to EVs. Examples include increasing access to charging stations, EV charging efficiency software, vehicle-to-grid (V2G), efficient battery technologies, wireless charges, alternative production and recycling methods for batteries, and EV financing solutions.

Application Timeline

March 27, 2024 - Applications Open
April 30, 2024 - Applications Close
June 10, 2024 - Cohort Announced
July - October 2024 - Program Workshops
October 28-31, 2024 - In-Person Program Summit

APPLY NOW