Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

What Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator does

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 by the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), headquartered at the 60,000 sq ft La Kretz Innovation Campus (LEED Platinum, WELL Gold) in downtown LA's Arts District. It operates a platform-plus-programs model combining structured startup incubation with capital deployment, workforce development, and multi-stakeholder convening. Core programs include a 6-month Incubation Program and 18-month Market Access Program serving pre-seed to growth-stage cleantech startups across clean energy, zero-emissions transportation, and circular economy; capital is provided through the equity-style LACI Impact Fund and the non-dilutive LACI Cleantech Debt Fund (up to $500k per company). Supporting infrastructure includes the Advanced Prototyping Center (electronics, chemistry, and cell labs; CNC, water jet, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting), workforce pipelines (Green Jobs, Women in Cleantech, Middle School Girls in STEM), and multi-stakeholder partnerships such as the Transportation Electrification Partnership (25+ members) and Clean Energy Partnership.

LACI's revenue model is grant- and sponsorship-driven rather than fee-driven: it does not charge startups for core incubation services and generates income from government grants (CARB, CEC, HUD, U.S. DOE), philanthropic commitments (Rockefeller Foundation's three-year $100M pledge, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation's $2M grant), corporate sponsorships, program/workshop fees, facility rentals, and returns from its investment funds. Customer segments span early-stage cleantech startups (primary), government agencies seeking market transformation, and corporate partners pursuing innovation scouting and sustainability initiatives; geographic footprint has expanded from Greater Los Angeles to New York City (BATWorks hub with NYCEDC) and 16 cities nationwide through the City Climate Innovation Challenge. As of the input data, LACI has supported 537 portfolio companies that have collectively raised over $1.5B in funding, generated $477M in revenue, created more than 3,000 jobs, and delivered $733M+ in long-term economic impact.

Name

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Legal name

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Website

https://laincubator.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cleantech Business Incubation

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Supplier Engagement & Value-Chain Decarbonization Programs (EUABAKAE)

Keywords

• Cleantech incubation
• Startup acceleration
• Cleantech venture funding
• Green jobs training
• Advanced prototyping

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: LACI operates as a nonprofit and receives grant funding from government agencies and foundations including CARB, CEC, HUD, Rockefeller Foundation, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and others to support its programs and initiatives.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners and sponsors provide financial and in-kind support in exchange for access to innovation ecosystem, talent pipeline, and collaborative opportunities.
3. Program Fees: Revenue generated from incubator programs, workshops, and educational offerings for startups and corporate partners.
4. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting co-working space, labs, and event facilities at La Kretz Innovation Campus to startups and organizations.
5. Investment Returns: Returns on equity investments through LACI Impact Fund and interest income from LACI Cleantech Debt Fund deployments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LACI operates a structured Incubation Program and Market Access Program for cleantech startups, deploys capital through the LACI Impact Fund (equity) and LACI Cleantech Debt Fund, runs the Advanced Prototyping Center at the LEED Platinum La Kretz Innovation Campus, and delivers workforce training through its Green Jobs Regional Partnership. Its core deliverable to startups is bundled access to capital, mentorship, prototyping, pilots, and policy/procurement relationships in Los Angeles.

Product overview

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) operates a platform-plus-programs model offering integrated incubation, market access, and capital funding services to cleantech startups. The core offerings include the 6-month Incubation Program and 18-month Market Access Program for startup acceleration, supplemented by the LACI Impact Fund (equity follow-on investment) and LACI Cleantech Debt Fund (non-dilutive debt up to $500k). LACI's workforce development arm includes the Green Jobs Workforce Development Program, Women in Cleantech, and Middle School Girls in STEM. LACI also drives market transformation through the Transportation Electrification Partnership, Clean Energy Partnership, and City Climate Innovation Challenge. Physical infrastructure includes the Advanced Prototyping Center with prototyping tools. The Road to 2028 initiative leverages the Olympics to accelerate climate action. Founded in 2011 as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and LADWP, LACI has helped 537 portfolio companies raise over $1.5B in funding and created 3,000+ jobs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LACI Incubation Program
• LACI Market Access Program
• LACI Impact Fund
• LACI Cleantech Debt Fund
• Green Jobs Regional Partnership
• Advanced Prototyping Center
• City Climate Innovation Challenge

Quantifiable outcome

• 537 portfolio companies supported with $1.5B+ in funding raised
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• California Air Resources Board (CARB)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARB is a key leadership partner in the Transportation Electrification Partnership, working with LACI to advance California's climate goals through zero-emissions transportation initiatives. CARB provides regulatory guidance and funding support for market transformation programs.
• City of Los AngelesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs LACI's founding partner alongside LADWP, the City of Los Angeles collaborates on climate action initiatives and provides policy support for the Transportation Electrification Partnership and other market transformation programs.
• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner of LACI, LADWP provides utility infrastructure support, funding for cleantech programs, and participates in the Transportation Electrification Partnership and Clean Energy Partnership leadership group.
• Los Angeles MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA Metro collaborates with LACI on the Transportation Electrification Partnership to advance zero-emissions transportation infrastructure and deployment in the greater Los Angeles region.
• Edison International (Southern California Edison)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdison International participates in the Transportation Electrification Partnership and Clean Energy Partnership, providing utility infrastructure expertise and supporting grid modernization for cleantech deployments.
• Los Angeles CountyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLos Angeles County is a key partner in the Transportation Electrification Partnership, working with LACI on county-wide climate action initiatives and zero-emissions transportation deployment.
• California ISOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia ISO participates in the Clean Energy Partnership leadership group, providing grid operations expertise and supporting clean energy integration for LACI portfolio companies.
• Black & VeatchcoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvisory group member in the Clean Energy Partnership, providing engineering and consulting expertise for infrastructure projects and clean energy deployments.
• Schneider ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvisory group member providing energy management and grid technology expertise for LACI's clean energy and electrification programs.
• SunruncoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvisory group member providing residential solar and energy storage expertise to support clean energy market transformation initiatives.
• Scale MicrogridscoreTechnology or IntegrationAdvisory group member contributing microgrid technology expertise for distributed energy and resilience projects.
• AccentureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides consulting and technology expertise to support LACI programs and portfolio company development.
• Google XminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on innovation initiatives and provides technology expertise for advanced cleantech projects.
• Electrify AmericacoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner in the Transportation Electrification Partnership, providing electric vehicle charging infrastructure expertise and deployment support.
• UberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate partner supporting transportation electrification through ride-sharing electrification initiatives.
• WaymominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate partner in transportation electrification efforts, contributing autonomous vehicle and electrification expertise.
• PrologiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate partner for the Vernon Hub truck charging initiative, providing warehouse and logistics infrastructure for electric heavy-duty vehicle charging facilities.
• University of Southern California (USC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing research collaboration and talent pipeline for LACI portfolio companies.
• UCLAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting research initiatives and providing student talent for cleantech innovation.
• New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on BATWorks program at Brooklyn Army Terminal, sharing incubator best practices and supporting cross-city cleantech initiatives.
• Elemental ExceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI), collaborating on climate tech incubation best practices and shared initiatives.
• Cleantech OpencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI), working together to advance cleantech innovation across the ecosystem.
• New Energy NexuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NCCEI and LACI Debt Fund network, collaborating on cleantech financing and startup support initiatives.
• Clean Power AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity energy partner supporting electrification and clean energy programs in the LACI ecosystem.
• AudicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Transportation Electrification Partnership advisory group, contributing automotive electrification expertise.
• BMWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Transportation Electrification Partnership advisory group, supporting zero-emissions vehicle initiatives.
• PCS EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Transportation Electrification Partnership advisory group, providing energy infrastructure expertise.
• VoleraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Transportation Electrification Partnership advisory group, supporting mobility electrification initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Large global innovation platform operating vertical-specific accelerator programs including sustainability/mobility. Broader scope than LACI but competes for corporate partnerships and cleantech startup pipeline.
• MassChallenge: Global no-equity startup accelerator with cleantech and sustainability programs. Larger scale and broader industry coverage than LACI but less cleantech-specific depth and fewer utility partnerships.

Emerging players

• Activate (formerly Cyclotron Road): Deep-tech fellowship for entrepreneurial scientists working on climate and hard-tech solutions. More selective and science-focused than LACI but competes for the same ambitious cleantech founder talent pool.

Direct peers

• Greentown Labs: Massachusetts-based cleantech incubator offering prototyping facilities, programming, and corporate partnerships for climate startups. Closest direct peer in terms of physical incubator model and corporate sponsor network.
• New Energy Nexus: Global cleantech incubator and accelerator network supporting diverse founders in clean energy. NCCEI partner with LACI but competes for similar portfolio companies and funding partnerships across the U.S.
• Elemental Excelerator: Honolulu-based cleantech accelerator funding and scaling climate startups with similar incubator + investment model. LACI partner in NCCEI but also a direct competitor for cleantech founder mindshare and corporate partnerships.
• Cleantech Open: National cleantech accelerator and idea competition for early-stage clean technology startups. NCCEI partner with LACI but operates parallel programming and competition structure that overlaps with LACI's incubation cohorts.

Regional players

• NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority): New York State clean energy funding and incubator program operator. Comparable role to LACI but in NY geography, offering similar grant and incubation services to cleantech startups regionally.
• NYCEDC (New York City Economic Development Corporation): NYC economic development agency partnering with LACI on BATWorks at Brooklyn Army Terminal. Operates similar cleantech/economic development programming regionally in NYC that overlaps with LACI's City Climate Innovation Challenge footprint.

Others

• Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator competitors - Sustainability-focused accelerators (Terra.do, Halogen Ventures): Adjacent ecosystem players like Terra.do (climate career accelerator) and Halogen Ventures (impact-focused VC) operate in overlapping climate founder/talent pools. Not direct peers but ecosystem participants addressing similar workforce and founder development needs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LACIncubator
• Facebookfacebook.com/LACIncubator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/los-angeles-cleantech-incubator

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

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M&A

Investments141 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator