What Strategic Energy Innovations does

Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit consultancy headquartered in San Rafael, California, founded in 1997 by Cyane Dandridge. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected climate education and workforce development programs spanning K-12 through early career: Energize Schools delivers free environmental curriculum and teacher support; Energize Colleges partners with higher education systems (including SUNY, CSU, UC, and HBCUs) to integrate sustainability across curriculum and campus operations; Climate Corps is a bridge-to-career fellowship that places emerging professionals at partner organizations; Energize Careers provides industry-advised training for people facing systemic barriers to clean-energy employment; and the School of Environmental Leadership is a project-based high school model in Marin County. SEI serves a horizontally segmented audience of K-12 students and educators, college faculty and students, emerging climate professionals, and entry-level green-trades job seekers, alongside institutional partners such as municipal governments, utilities, and community-based organizations.

SEI's underlying delivery model is experiential and partnership-based rather than software-mediated: curricula, fellowships, coaching, paid work experiences, and curriculum integration services are delivered through direct partnerships with schools, colleges, employers, and community organizations across 10+ states plus Washington, D.C. Revenue is derived from individual donations, foundation and corporate grants, and program-funded contracts with regional energy networks - all programs are offered free or at minimal cost to end beneficiaries. Notable institutional funders and partners include Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Gas, National Grid, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, HASI Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, E4 Carolinas, and Resource Innovations.

The organization has been recognized with the 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, a 2022 AASHE Campus Sustainability Achievement Award, and inclusion in the 2022 U.S. Climate Ambition Report. SEI recently underwent a strategic reorganization to reaffirm its mission and expand regionally, with new dedicated leadership for the Pacific Northwest and Eastern United States, alongside the launch of new workforce products including Spark Your Career (December 2025), Green Workforce Pathway (April 2026), and Energize Schools Garden Hub (October 2025).

Name

Strategic Energy Innovations

Legal name

Strategic Energy Innovations

Website

https://seiinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit consultancy that delivers climate education, workforce development, and fellowship programs from K-12 through early career, partnering with schools, colleges, municipalities, and utilities across 10+ U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Rafael

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SEI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations support education programs, workforce development, and climate resilience initiatives.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: SEI receives grant funding from foundations and corporate partners to fund specific programs. The organization partners with organizations such as Pacific Gas and Electric Company, HASI Foundation, National Grid, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and various utility companies.
3. Program Fees (Minimal/Supported): SEI provides free services to schools and communities. Some programs like Spark Your Career are funded through regional energy network contracts. The organization offers workplace giving options and stock donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) is an environmental nonprofit consultancy that delivers a portfolio of climate education and clean-energy workforce development programs across the United States. Its flagship offerings include Energize Schools (K-12 environmental education), Energize Colleges (higher education sustainability integration), Climate Corps (bridge-to-career fellowship placing emerging climate professionals at host organizations), and Energize Careers (workforce development for green trades such as heat pump installation and electrification). Programs are delivered at no or minimal cost through direct partnerships with schools, universities, municipalities, utilities, and employers, funded by foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations.

Product overview

SEI operates as a nonprofit consultancy offering a portfolio of interconnected educational and workforce development programs focused on building climate leaders across all ages. The core programs include Energize Schools (K-12 environmental education), Climate Corps (fellowship for emerging climate professionals), Energize Colleges (higher education sustainability integration), Energize Careers (workforce development for green careers), and the School of Environmental Leadership (project-based high school). These programs work together to create a sustainability leadership pathway from elementary school to early career, with supplementary initiatives like the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway, Green Workforce Pathway, and Spark Your Career expanding reach into specific workforce sectors and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Energize Schools: K-12 education program that engages, inspires, and empowers K-12 students to become environmental leaders in their communities through hands-on learning.
• Climate Corps
• Energize Colleges
• Energize Careers
• School of Environmental Leadership
• Climate Corps Education Outside (CCEO)

Products and services

• Energize Schools Free K-12 education program that engages, inspires, and empowers students to become environmental leaders in their communities through hands-on learning, project-based curriculum, facility greening, resource conservation, garden-based learning, and student challenges. Delivered through direct partnerships with schools in California (Bay Area, San Diego) and other regions.
• Climate Corps Fellowship Bridge-to-career fellowship that recruits and places rising climate professionals at host organizations (municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, universities) to implement climate and sustainability projects while gaining real-world experience. Recognized in the 2022 U.S. Climate Ambition Report as a program model being replicated nationally.
• Energize Colleges Free higher education program that empowers faculty, staff, and students to integrate sustainability and climate solutions across multi-disciplinary curriculum and campus outreach, with experiential learning through internships and fellowships. Partners with SUNY, CSU, UC, community colleges, and HBCUs. Won a 2022 AASHE Campus Sustainability Achievement Award with CSU.
• Energize Careers Workforce development program that creates a diverse and representational sustainability workforce through industry-advised training, career readiness workshops, soft-skills training, 1-on-1 coaching, paid work experience, and job placement in green trades including heat pump installation, electrification, decarbonization, and construction.
• Marin School of Environmental Leadership (SEL) Project-based high school education model that builds environmental leaders by actively engaging students with climate issues while supported by trained educators. Located in Marin County, CA.
• Green Workforce Pathway (GWP) Workforce pathway program that provides career readiness workshops, soft-skills training, and 1-on-1 coaching for job seekers seeking entry-level positions in heat pump installation and electrification in the Bay Area. Delivered in partnership with local contractors and supported by paid work experience placements.
• Spark Your Career Comprehensive workforce system initiative of the San Diego Regional Energy Network, delivered in partnership with Resource Innovations and MAAC, to serve 2,200 individuals entering or upskilling in energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization industries in San Diego.
• Energize Schools Garden Hub (ESGH) Free services program providing training workshops, instructional support, maintenance planning support, and access to garden curriculum and resources for elementary schools throughout San Francisco.
• Energizing San Diego Challenge Environmental challenge for middle and high school students in San Diego to learn about energy use and environmental leadership. Students audit campus energy use with industry-standard tools and lead school-wide conservation campaigns.
• HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway Collaboration between E4 Carolinas and the Energize Colleges program designed to build a more innovative and equitable energy workforce by introducing HBCU students (including Livingstone College, Claflin University, NC A&T, Johnson C. Smith University, NC Central University, and Shaw University) to industry careers through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ students reached annually through CCEO program alone
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Resource Innovations (RI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025Resource Innovations provides expertise in clean energy transition and delivers extensive training and technical assistance. RI serves as a key partner in the Spark Your Career program alongside SEI and MAAC, bringing experience from the SDG&E LEARN Program for connecting with industry and employers.
• Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County (MAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025MAAC provides deep community reach in San Diego and strong commitment to addressing system barriers to employment, ensuring connection to job seekers from underserved populations and essential wraparound services for participant success in the Spark Your Career program.
• Eco Performance BuilderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 November 2025Eco Performance Builders is a Walnut Creek-based home performance and electrification retrofit company that has hired 21 participants from SEI's Green Workforce Pathways Paid Work Experience program, connecting job seekers to entry-level green trade positions.
• E4 CarolinascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2025E4 Carolinas collaborates with SEI's Energize Colleges program on the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway, a program designed to build a more innovative and equitable energy workforce by introducing HBCU students to industry careers through hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional development.
• Pacific Gas and Electric CompanysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPG&E is a major utility partner supporting SEI's programs through funding and collaboration on energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.
• Southern California EdisonsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthern California Edison supports SEI's programs as part of their commitment to energy efficiency and clean energy workforce development.
• SDGEsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSan Diego Gas & Electric partners with SEI on energy efficiency and workforce development programs in the San Diego region.
• SoCalGassupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthern California Gas Company supports SEI's clean energy and decarbonization workforce programs.
• Bay Area Air Quality Management DistrictsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBay Area Air Quality Management District awarded SEI a major Community Grant for 2022-2025 to support the Energize Schools K-12 program, providing project-based curriculum and instructional support to reduce air pollution in Bay Area communities.
• HASI FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerHASI Foundation provides funding support for SEI's climate and energy workforce development initiatives as part of their climate justice partnership work.
• National GridsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Grid is a Climate Corps partner and supporter of SEI's workforce development and sustainability programs in the Northeast.
• UC Office of the PresidentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of California system partners with SEI through Climate Corps fellowships and Energize Colleges programs to advance campus sustainability and student career pathways.
• SunPowersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSunPower partners with SEI on solar workforce development and has hired program participants through Energize Careers.
• The Marine Mammal CentersupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Marine Mammal Center hosts Climate Corps fellows for sustainability and environmental programs.
• Skyline CollegesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkyline College partners with SEI for climate education and workforce development programs in the Bay Area.
• San Jose Clean EnergysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSan Jose Clean Energy hosts Climate Corps fellows and partners on community energy programs.
• Silicon Valley Clean EnergysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSilicon Valley Clean Energy collaborates with SEI on climate programs and fellowship placements.
• The Energy CoalitionsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Energy Coalition partners with SEI on energy efficiency and sustainability education programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alliance for Climate Education (ACE): National nonprofit delivering climate education and student leadership programs to U.S. middle and high schools, directly comparable to SEI's Energize Schools vertical with similar youth-environmental-leadership mission.
• EarthEcho International: Environmental education nonprofit founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr. that mobilizes youth ambassadors and educators—closely paralleling SEI's K-12 leadership and sustainability curricula.
• Climate Generation: A Will Steger Legacy: Builds climate literacy and leadership through educator training and community programs—overlapping SEI's Energize Schools/Energize Colleges educator-development approach.
• GRID Alternatives: National nonprofit delivering solar workforce training and clean-energy career pathways for underserved communities—highly comparable to SEI's Energize Careers / Green Workforce Pathways programs.
• Emerald Cities Collaborative: Nonprofit coalition advancing an equitable green economy through workforce and infrastructure programs targeting underrepresented workers—closely aligned with SEI's equity-focused Energize Careers model.
• AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education): Higher-education sustainability organization that recognized Energize Colleges with a 2022 Sustainability Achievement Award; comparable as a peer shaping campus-sustainability programming alongside SEI's Energize Colleges offering.
• ICLEI USA: Local-government sustainability network serving U.S. cities and counties on climate action planning; overlaps with SEI's municipal Climate Corps fellowship placements (Oakland, San Jose, San Jose Clean Energy).
• Green For All: National initiative focused on building an inclusive green economy through workforce and policy advocacy for disadvantaged communities—closely aligned with SEI's equity-centered green-careers mission.

Broad incumbents

• Jobs for the Future (JFF): Larger national workforce-development nonprofit operating across multiple sectors including clean energy; comparable as a broader incumbent that funds and competes for the same green-workforce grants as SEI.
• ecoAmerica: Climate-leadership organization that nominated Climate Corps for its 2025 American Climate Leadership Awards and publishes national climate-engagement research; overlaps in policy advocacy and recognition ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SEIsustain
• Facebookfacebook.com/seisustainability
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seisustainability
• Instagraminstagram.com/seisustainability

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Strategic Energy Innovations