Water, Energy and Technology Center
The Water, Energy and Technology Center (WET Center) is a Fresno State–affiliated non-profit accelerator that supports water, energy, agriculture technology, and food entrepreneurs in California's Central Valley through cohort-based accelerator programs (Valley Ventures, Culinary Catalyst, TIE), workspace, advising, and regional ecosystem partnerships spanning 39 counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersFresno, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Water, Energy and Technology Center does
The Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center is a non-profit innovation accelerator and ecosystem hub operated within California State University, Fresno. Founded in 2007 and headquartered at 2911 E Barstow Ave on the Fresno State campus, the WET Center supports entrepreneurs in the water, energy, and agriculture technology sectors of California's Central Valley. Its core offerings include the Valley Ventures accelerator (currently Cohort 9) for water/energy/ag-tech startups, the Culinary Catalyst program (Cohort 2) for food entrepreneurs, the TIE program connecting founders with experts and funding, and the BlueTech Valley regional ecosystem (founded 2016) spanning 39 California counties. Supporting services include advising, workspace rentals, the WET Center Works paid student program, the annual Start, Grow, Stay Conference, and a webinar/blog content series.
The WET Center's stated impact includes evaluating more than 500 companies, contributing to $433 million in cumulative private and public funding raised by portfolio companies, supporting the creation of 840+ jobs, and conducting 2,500+ mentoring sessions. It partners strategically with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) as a regional hub for the Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub program, the Center for Irrigation Technology, the Fresno County Farm Bureau, CMTC, and other regional organizations. The center reported 11–50 employees and is led by Director Eric D. Hadden (appointed January 2024) and Associate Director Kent Pelisari.
WET Center generates revenue through accelerator program fees, grant funding (state and federal grants including Accelerate California), and workspace/tenant memberships. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed. Its go-to-market is community-led: attracting startups through cohort-based accelerators, webinars, conferences, and university ecosystem channels rather than direct sales. The organization does not hold patents, develop proprietary software, or operate a public API; its assets are programmatic, relational, and institutional rather than technological.
Water, Energy and Technology Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Water, Energy and Technology Center
- Legal name
- Water, Energy and Technology Center
- Website
- https://wetcenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Water, Energy and Technology Center (WET Center) is a Fresno State–affiliated non-profit accelerator that supports water, energy, agriculture technology, and food entrepreneurs in California's Central Valley through cohort-based accelerator programs (Valley Ventures, Culinary Catalyst, TIE), workspace, advising, and regional ecosystem partnerships spanning 39 counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Water, Energy and Technology Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Accelerator and Incubator Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)
Keywords
Where Water, Energy and Technology Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fresno
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Water, Energy and Technology Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Accelerator Program Fees: Revenue from accelerator programs including Valley Ventures and Culinary Catalyst, which provide business development services to startups
- Grant Funding: Government and foundation grants supporting innovation ecosystem development, including CalOSBA Accelerate California partnership
- Workspace Memberships: Tenant and workspace rentals for startup companies at WET Center facilities
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Water, Energy and Technology Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The WET Center operates accelerator programs (Valley Ventures, Culinary Catalyst, TIE) that provide mentorship, networking, workspace, funding connections, and testing facilities to early-stage water, energy, and agriculture technology startups in California's Central Valley. It also operates the BlueTech Valley innovation ecosystem spanning 39 California counties, advising services, the Start Grow Stay annual conference, and a student experiential learning program (WET Center Works).
Product overview
The Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center at California State University, Fresno operates as an innovation accelerator and ecosystem hub that empowers the Central Valley's core industries—food, energy, and agriculture—by providing access to cutting-edge resources, innovative research, and industry expertise. The center offers a portfolio of programs including Valley Ventures (an accelerator for water, energy, and ag-tech startups), Culinary Catalyst (supporting food entrepreneurs), TIE Program (connecting entrepreneurs with experts and funding), BlueTech Valley (a regional innovation ecosystem), the Start, Grow, Stay Conference (pitch competition and networking event), Advising Services (mentor and advisor matching), and WET Center Works (student internship program). The center has evaluated over 500 companies, helped create 840+ jobs, facilitated $433M in follow-up funding, and provided 2,500+ mentoring sessions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Valley Ventures: Accelerator program for startups in water, energy, and agriculture technology sectors
- Culinary Catalyst
- TIE
- BlueTech Valley
Products and services
- Valley Ventures
Quantifiable outcome
- 500+ companies evaluated through BlueTech Valley
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Water, Energy and Technology Center
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Water, Energy and Technology Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Water, Energy and Technology Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)coreWET Center partners with CalOSBA to administer Innovation Grants through the Accelerate California program. Winners of the Start, Grow, Stay pitch competition receive recommendations for $25,000 or $75,000 innovation grants.
- Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation HubcoreInitiative funded by the State of California and administered by CalOSBA to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the state. WET Center is one of the regional innovation hubs strengthening the ecosystem and creating jobs in underserved communities.
- Access Plus CapitalsupportingRegional partner organization supporting the Start, Grow, Stay Conference and Central Valley entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Fresno State University EcosystemcoreWET Center leverages the broader Fresno State ecosystem including the Dairy, agricultural research facilities, and faculty expertise to support portfolio companies.
- Fresno Metro Black Chamber of CommercesupportingPartnership to support Black-owned businesses and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Central Valley entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT)supportingIndependent testing laboratory and applied research facility for irrigation industry, helping agtech startups develop and validate irrigation technologies.
- Fresno County Farm BureausupportingIndustry partner providing connections to Central Valley farming community and agricultural expertise for WET Center portfolio companies.
- CMTC (California Manufacturing Technology Consulting)supportingPartner providing manufacturing support programs and resources to WET Center companies.
- Cleantech to Market (C2M)supportingProgram providing informational webinars and support for clean technology commercialization.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Water, Energy and Technology Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Activate (formerly Cyclotron Road): Activate is a fellowship and accelerator for science- and engineering-based entrepreneurs tackling climate and clean-energy challenges. It is comparable in mission to WET Center's water/energy verticals but operates a deeper-tech, fellowship-style model.
Direct peers
- AgLaunch: AgLaunch is an agriculture-focused accelerator working with early-stage ag-tech startups across the U.S. It is a direct peer in mission and target founder segment, overlapping with WET Center's Valley Ventures ag-tech focus.
- GreenTown Labs: GreenTown Labs is a cleantech incubator and accelerator supporting hardware and deep-tech startups in energy and sustainability. It is comparable to WET Center's water/energy program focus, with a stronger hardware-engineering orientation.
- Food Hatch (Rabobank): Food Hatch was a food and agriculture innovation accelerator backed by Rabobank, focused on food entrepreneurs across the value chain. It is directly comparable to WET Center's Culinary Catalyst food-entrepreneur program.
- gener8tor: gener8tor operates a national accelerator network with both corporate and regional programs, including ag-tech and water cohorts. Its program structure (cohort-based accelerators with mentor matching) closely parallels WET Center's operating model.
- The Yield Lab: The Yield Lab is a global ag-tech accelerator and investor network with regional cohorts. It targets the same early-stage ag-tech founder pool as WET Center's Valley Ventures.
- Elemental Excelerator: Elemental Excelerator funds and accelerates startups tackling climate, water, and energy challenges. Its water/energy/climate mandate directly mirrors WET Center's water and energy technology verticals.
- MassChallenge: MassChallenge is a large global non-profit accelerator supporting early-stage startups across multiple verticals including food and sustainability. Its non-profit, cohort-based model and vertical diversity closely mirror WET Center's structure.
Broad incumbents
- Techstars: Techstars is a global accelerator operator with industry-vertical programs including ag-tech and sustainability. It competes with WET Center for founders in the same verticals but at much larger scale and check size.
- Plug and Play: Plug and Play operates a global corporate accelerator network with vertical programs in food/brand/retail, sustainability, and beyond. It is a broad incumbent that competes for the same founder pool across WET Center's verticals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Water, Energy and Technology Center social profiles
Digital presenceWater, Energy and Technology Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Water, Energy and Technology Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Water, Energy and Technology Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Water, Energy and Technology Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Water, Energy and Technology Center
What does Water, Energy and Technology Center do?
The WET Center operates accelerator programs (Valley Ventures, Culinary Catalyst, TIE) that provide mentorship, networking, workspace, funding connections, and testing facilities to early-stage water, energy, and agriculture technology startups in California's Central Valley. It also operates the BlueTech Valley innovation ecosystem spanning 39 California counties, advising services, the Start Grow Stay annual conference, and a student experiential learning program (WET Center Works).
Is Water, Energy and Technology Center a public or private company?
Water, Energy and Technology Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Water, Energy and Technology Center founded?
Water, Energy and Technology Center was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Water, Energy and Technology Center based?
Water, Energy and Technology Center is headquartered in Fresno, United States, in the North America region.
How does Water, Energy and Technology Center make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Accelerator Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are grant Funding and workspace Memberships.
Who are Water, Energy and Technology Center's main competitors?
Activate (formerly Cyclotron Road) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are AgLaunch, GreenTown Labs, Food Hatch (Rabobank), gener8tor, The Yield Lab, Elemental Excelerator and MassChallenge. Broad incumbents are Techstars and Plug and Play.
Does Water, Energy and Technology Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Water, Energy and Technology Center.
What industry is Water, Energy and Technology Center in?
Water, Energy and Technology Center's product category is Startup Accelerator and Incubator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAHAH, Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers, with a secondary code of FSANAHAD, Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710.