New Energy Nexus: CalSEED
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- New Energy Nexus: CalSEED
- Legal name
- CalSEED (California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative)
- Website
- https://calseed.fund
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clean Energy Grant Funding
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)
Keywords
Where New Energy Nexus: CalSEED is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- California Energy Commission EPIC Funding: CalSEED is entirely funded through the California Energy Commission's Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program. The CEC invests approximately $130 million annually through EPIC to advance clean energy technologies. CalSEED is one of several initiatives funded by EPIC to advance energy innovation in California.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Concept Award Grant |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Prototype Award Grant |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels11 records
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CalSEED (California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative) is a $48 million grant program that provides non-dilutive funding and professional development to early-stage California clean energy entrepreneurs. The program operates a two-stage structure: Concept Awards ($150,000) for early-stage innovators at TRL 2-4, followed by Prototype Awards ($450,000) awarded to Concept Award winners through an annual Business Plan Competition. Awardees receive mentorship, legal counsel, expert guidance, and access to Regional Energy Innovation Clusters and the Cleantech Open accelerator.
Product overview
CalSEED (California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative) is a flagship grant program administered by New Energy Nexus, offering non-dilutive funding and professional development to early-stage California clean energy entrepreneurs. The program provides a two-stage funding structure: Concept Awards ($150,000-$200,000) for early-stage innovators at TRL 2-4, followed by Prototype Awards ($450,000-$500,000) through an annual Business Plan Competition. Awardees receive mentorship, legal counsel, expert guidance, and access to a network of Regional Energy Innovations Clusters (Activate Global, BlueTechValley, Cleantech San Diego, LACI) and the Cleantech Open accelerator. The program feeds into a broader energy innovation pipeline including CalTestBed, BRIDGE, and RAMP initiatives. CalSEED focuses on technologies in battery circularity, long-duration energy storage, medium/heavy-duty vehicle electrification, and end-use electrification, with a strong emphasis on energy equity and social impact for California ratepayers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CalSEED Concept Awards Early-stage non-dilutive grants of $150,000-$200,000 awarded to California-based clean energy entrepreneurs to advance concepts and prototypes toward commercialization. Eligibility is limited to individuals, nonprofits, and small businesses in California with technologies at TRL 2-4 and under $1M private funding cap.
- CalSEED Prototype Awards Additional non-dilutive grants of $450,000-$500,000 awarded to Concept Award winners who win the annual Business Plan Competition, coordinated with the Cleantech Open accelerator program. Funds support prototype development, validation, and technology refinement toward commercialization.
- CalSEED Professional Development Services Targeted mentorship with seasoned professionals, legal counsel, expert guidance, and training to support technology refinement, market development, and commercialization for CalSEED grant awardees.
- CalSEED Accelerator Network Access Access to the Cleantech Open accelerator and a network of Regional Energy Innovations Clusters including Activate Global, BlueTechValley, Cleantech San Diego (SCEIN), and Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), connecting awardees with business development services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 137+ awardees supported since 2016 across 7 cohorts
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use New Energy Nexus: CalSEED
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Activate Global Inc.coreActivate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with U.S.-based funders and research institutions to support fellows. Their entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Serves as a Regional Energy Innovation Cluster partner.
- BlueTechValley Innovation ClustercoreLocated in the San Joaquin Valley, BlueTechValley focuses on water-efficiency and related technologies. Strong partnerships with universities, incubators, grant developers, and acceleration programs enable them to provide technology and business development services.
- Cleantech San DiegocoreAlso known as Southern California Regional Energy Innovation Network, works directly with cleantech entrepreneurs on customized plans including advisory support, technology commercialization services, and proof-of-concept/pilot testing. Specializes in energy storage, smart grids, solar energy, and electric vehicles.
- Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)corePrivate non-profit organization helping accelerate commercialization of clean technologies with flexible office space, CEO coaching, mentoring, and access to robust network of partnerships and capital. Serves as Regional Energy Innovation Cluster partner.
- Cleantech OpencoreWorld's oldest and largest cleantech accelerator since 2005, having helped over 2,100 innovators refine business models and connect with investors. CalSEED Concept Award winners participate in CTO's accelerator program to shape their business plans and pitches for the Prototype Award competition.
- Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratorycoreDOE national laboratory supporting CalSEED's selection process and helping evaluate technologies for impact, reliability, and alignment with California's decarbonization goals. Home to Cyclotron Road/Activate origin.
- Third DerivativemajorGlobal climate technology startup accelerator founded by Rocky Mountain Institute and New Energy Nexus. Mission is building an inclusive ecosystem that rapidly finds, funds, and scales climate tech innovation. Sponsored in partnership with New Energy Nexus.
- The Clean FightmajorNon-profit business accelerator funded by NYSERDA and DOE that identifies top growth-stage clean energy startups and helps them scale in New York with tailored support services, customer partnerships, and non-dilutive investments. Sponsored in partnership with New Energy Nexus.
- CalTestBedcoreSister program to CalSEED providing voucher access to third-party testing at 60+ facilities across 9 UC campuses and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. CalSEED awardees are eligible for CalTestBed after completing their Concept Awards.
- BRIDGE InitiativemajorBringing Rapid Innovation Development to Green Energy - competitively awards subsequent funding for promising technologies from eligible federal agencies or CEC research programs. Helps startups avoid funding gaps between project completion and new funding awards.
- RAMP InitiativemajorRealizing Accelerated Manufacturing and Production for Clean Energy Technologies - provides technical and financial assistance to advance emerging technologies to low-rate initial production stage, transitioning from hand-built prototypes to mass-produced products.
- New Energy NexuscoreCalSEED is the flagship program of New Energy Nexus, the world's leading ecosystem of funds and accelerators supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs. New Energy Nexus operates programs in China, India, Southeast Asia, East Africa, and New York, inspired by CalSEED's success.
- MomentummajorProgram partner providing business development support and co-hosting ConNEX workshop series on topics including alternative venture capital, financial planning, and professional development for women in clean energy.
- Greenlining InstitutemajorNon-profit focused on economic opportunity and racial justice. Partner providing equity and inclusion expertise and profiling CalSEED awardees working on equitable clean energy solutions.
- Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)majorPartner with NEX California on quarterly webinar series (CSE x NEX California) providing expert-led insights on energy resilience, permitting, policy, climate action planning, and community engagement for awardees.
- Women In Cleantech & SustainabilityminorNon-profit organization co-hosting ConNEX workshop on Women Powering the Future of Clean Energy, providing mentorship initiative and connecting women founders with resources and networks.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cyclotron Road (now Activate): Originated at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and now part of Activate, Cyclotron Road supported hard-tech entrepreneurs transitioning from PhD/postdoc research into startups; directly comparable as a California-based, federally-affiliated cleantech fellowship.
- Activate Global: Activate is a fellow deep-tech cleantech fellowship and one of CalSEED's Regional Energy Innovation Cluster partners, providing two-year entrepreneurial fellowships to scientists/engineers commercializing hard-tech clean energy, with a closely overlapping awardee profile and follow-on capital pathway.
- Third Derivative: Global climate-tech startup accelerator founded by Rocky Mountain Institute in partnership with New Energy Nexus (CalSEED's parent); directly comparable as a sibling program in the New Energy Nexus ecosystem supporting climate startups with capital acceleration services.
- Cleantech Open: Cleantech Open is the world's oldest and largest cleantech accelerator and a core CalSEED partner that runs the Business Plan Competition for CalSEED Concept Award winners; closely comparable as an accelerator layer for cleantech startups seeking non-dilutive capital.
- Elemental Excelerator: Elemental Excelerator is a non-dilutive climate-tech accelerator funding early-stage startups with embedded pilot support; comparable to CalSEED as another state/nonprofit-backed cleantech accelerator providing non-equity funding plus commercialization support.
- Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI): LACI is a Regional Energy Innovation Cluster partner of CalSEED, providing flexible office space, CEO coaching, mentoring, and access to capital networks for cleantech entrepreneurs; directly comparable in mission and target beneficiary profile.
- Greentown Labs: Greentown Labs is the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, providing prototyping space, mentorship, and connections to cleantech startups; comparable as a similarly scaled cleantech support organization serving early-stage hardware startups.
- Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2): IN2 is a non-dilutive cleantech accelerator partnering with NREL to fund and validate early-stage clean energy startups; closely comparable in structure (corporate-funded, non-dilutive, technical validation services) to CalSEED.
Broad incumbents
- ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy): ARPA-E is the federal government program funding transformative energy R&D projects; comparable as a broader public-sector funding source for early-stage clean energy technologies, though federal in scope rather than California-specific.
Regional players
- NYSERDA / The Clean Fight: NYSERDA funds The Clean Fight, a non-profit cleantech accelerator with CalSEED-like non-dilutive funding support; comparable as a competing regional funder of cleantech startups but operating in New York rather than California.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED social profiles
Digital presenceNew Energy Nexus: CalSEED financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about New Energy Nexus: CalSEED
What does New Energy Nexus: CalSEED do?
CalSEED (California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development Initiative) is a $48 million grant program that provides non-dilutive funding and professional development to early-stage California clean energy entrepreneurs. The program operates a two-stage structure: Concept Awards ($150,000) for early-stage innovators at TRL 2-4, followed by Prototype Awards ($450,000) awarded to Concept Award winners through an annual Business Plan Competition. Awardees receive mentorship, legal counsel, expert guidance, and access to Regional Energy Innovation Clusters and the Cleantech Open accelerator.
Is New Energy Nexus: CalSEED a public or private company?
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was New Energy Nexus: CalSEED founded?
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is New Energy Nexus: CalSEED based?
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does New Energy Nexus: CalSEED make money?
One revenue line is on record: california Energy Commission EPIC Funding.
Who are New Energy Nexus: CalSEED's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cyclotron Road (now Activate), Activate Global, Third Derivative, Cleantech Open, Elemental Excelerator, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), Greentown Labs and Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2). ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) is listed as a broad incumbent. NYSERDA / The Clean Fight is listed as a regional player.
Does New Energy Nexus: CalSEED have an API?
No public API is recorded for New Energy Nexus: CalSEED.
What industry is New Energy Nexus: CalSEED in?
New Energy Nexus: CalSEED's product category is Clean Energy Grant Funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAB, Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211.