BEST START

What BEST START does

BEST START (Basic Energy Science to St. Thomas Applied Renewable Technologies) is a no-cost, publicly-funded energy technology accelerator program operated from St. Paul, Minnesota. It is structured as a three-party collaboration between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL), the University of St. Thomas, and the Energetics Technology Center (ETC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit defense solutions provider. The program's purpose is to accelerate the development and commercialization of energy technologies — including solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, Silicon-Carbide inverters, ammonia-fueled generators, AI-driven energy management software, photonic cooling, and autonomous solar sensor platforms — from prototype to mission-ready deployment, with an explicit dual-use mandate spanning defense and civilian markets.

BEST START's core operational stack combines three resources: (1) research facilities and equipment at the University of St. Thomas START Center (which integrates the Engineering Design Clinic, Center for Microgrid Research, Center for Applied AI, and School of Engineering); (2) technical expertise and validation pathways from DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory; and (3) defense procurement access intermediated by ETC under Partnership Intermediary Agreements. The 2026 cohort comprises seven partner companies: Ascentek (sodium-ion batteries), Aza Power (ammonia-fueled power), BWR Innovations (hydrogen fuel cells), Exergi Predictive (AI energy management), LEMA Defense (autonomous solar sensors), Maxwell Labs (photonic cooling), and SYNCRIS (SiC inverters for microgrids). The program operates a monthly SBIR/STTR solicitation cadence (12 new topics per month) and hosts recurring three-day in-person and virtual technology demonstration events (most recently May 4-6, 2026).

BEST START does not sell a product. Its revenue model is institutional and grant-based rather than commercial: the program is funded through the founding partners' appropriations and contributions, and partner companies access resources at no cost in exchange for developing technologies aligned with Army operational energy priorities (resilient field power, reduced fuel logistics burden, microgrid resilience against cyber and physical threats). Distribution is by direct application to the accelerator program, and engagement is supported through a monthly email newsletter (BEST START Energy Digest), website content, and technology demonstration events. STEM education programs (summer camps, afterschool, internships) extend the program's reach into workforce development for grades 6-8.

Name

BEST START

Legal name

BEST START

Website

https://beststart.io

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

BEST START is a Minnesota-based, no-cost energy technology accelerator jointly run by DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, the University of St. Thomas, and ETC, funding and validating battery, fuel cell, microgrid, and AI-driven energy startups for U.S. Army and dual-use commercial deployment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Accelerator Program

NAICS

Electric Power Generation (22111)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants) (EUABAKAG)

Keywords

• Energy technology accelerator
• Defense energy innovation
• Startup funding programs
• Government research partnerships
• Advanced battery technologies

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Program Funding: BEST START provides funding and resources to companies to fast-track their prototypes to market. The program connects businesses with DoD SBIR/STTR funding opportunities and other grant programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

BEST START is a no-cost energy technology accelerator program that provides selected partner companies with funding pathway guidance (notably DoD SBIR/STTR solicitations), technical expertise from DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, access to research facilities at the University of St. Thomas START Center, and industry mentorship. The program focuses on accelerating the development and commercialization of energy technologies — including advanced batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, microgrid inverters, ammonia-fueled generators, AI-driven energy management, and photonic cooling — that address Army operational energy needs while supporting dual-use commercial applications.

Product overview

BEST START (Basic Energy Science to St. Thomas Applied Renewable Technologies) is a collaborative accelerator program that connects energy technology companies with funding, research facilities, and industry support. The program operates through the University of St. Thomas START Center and coordinates technology demonstrations and STEM education initiatives. Partner companies supported include Ascentek (sodium-ion batteries), Aza Power (ammonia-fueled generators), BWR Innovations (hydrogen fuel cells), Exergi Predictive (AI-driven energy management), LEMA Defense (autonomous solar sensors), Maxwell Labs (photonic cooling), and SYNCRIS (Silicon-Carbide inverters). The program is a joint effort between DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, University of St. Thomas, and the Energetics Technology Center (ETC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BEST START Accelerator Program A no-cost energy technology accelerator program that provides selected Minnesota businesses with funding pathway guidance (DoD SBIR/STTR solicitations), technical expertise from DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, access to research facilities at the University of St. Thomas START Center, industry mentorship, and connections to defense and government markets. Designed for startups and small companies developing dual-use energy technologies such as advanced batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, microgrid inverters, ammonia-fueled generators, AI-driven energy management, and photonic cooling systems.
• Technology Demonstrations Live demonstration events showcasing innovative energy and power technologies developed by BEST START partner companies, featuring real-world and extreme-condition testing environments. Events bring together defense, government, academic, and industry partners, with both in-person and virtual demonstration formats.
• STEM Education Programs Curriculum, instruction, summer camps, afterschool programs, and internship offerings about energy sciences for middle school students (grades 6-8) and related workforce development, aligned with BEST START's mission for civilian and military energy applications. Delivered in coordination with ETC and University of St. Thomas academic resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Companies can provide 1600A continuously for 30 seconds (Ascentek sodium-ion batteries)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DEVCOM Army Research LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory is a core partner in the BEST START program, providing research expertise and connecting the program with Army operational energy priorities. The laboratory contributes technical guidance and validation of technologies.
• University of St. ThomascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of St. Thomas hosts the START Center - a collaborative hub providing research facilities, equipment, and expertise. The university brings together experts from the Engineering Design Clinic, Center for Microgrid Research, Center for Applied AI, and School of Engineering.
• ETC (Energetics Technology Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerETC is a nonprofit defense solutions provider and a founding partner of BEST START. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ETC provides trusted counsel to Department of Defense, state, and local government agencies and holds Partnership Intermediary Agreements.
• AscentekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing sodium-ion battery technology capable of operating in extreme temperatures (-40°C). Demonstrated ability to provide 1600A continuously for 30 seconds, replacing over 160 pounds of lead-acid batteries.
• Aza PowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing the Rugged Ammonia Mobile Power Source (RAMPS) system for powering electric mobility platforms in the field. Completed engine conversion from diesel to ammonia.
• BWR InnovationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing next-generation hydrogen fuel cells for extreme military environments. Developed and deployed a 600kW hydrogen fuel cell demonstration unit for Air Force Research Lab.
• Exergi PredictiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing AI-driven energy management software capable of optimizing generator and battery performance for military microgrids.
• LEMA DefenseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing autonomous solar-powered sensor platforms. Created platforms with dual-axis solar collectors powering towers with radar, cameras, infrared detectors, weather monitors, and atmospheric chemical monitoring equipment.
• Maxwell LabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company developing prototype photonic cooling systems for advanced computing applications. Expanded to include four new hires in early 2026.
• SYNCRISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company with patented Silicon-Carbide (SiC) inverter technology for rapid microgrid deployment. Invited by SOCOM to demonstrate VISTA platform at RCA16.
• U.S. Department of Defense SBIR/STTR ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DoD Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs release 12 new solicitation topics monthly, providing funding pathways for BEST START partner companies.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AFWERX: U.S. Air Force innovation arm that runs defense-focused accelerator and SBIR/STTR programs for energy, autonomy, and dual-use technologies. Directly comparable in mission (defense tech acceleration) and funding mechanism, but serving Air Force rather than Army.
• SOFWERX: Partnership intermediary for U.S. Special Operations Command that facilitates tech collaboration between SOF and industry. Comparable defense accelerator model using Partnership Intermediary Agreements, similar to ETC's role for BEST START.
• Elemental Excelerator: Nonprofit accelerator funding startups solving climate and energy challenges across energy, transportation, and infrastructure. Comparable nonprofit accelerator model with non-dilutive funding, though civilian/market-pull orientation differs from BEST START's defense pull.
• National Security Innovation Network (NSIN): DoD program that links national security problems with university-based创业者 and innovators. Comparable as a defense-tech accelerator network leveraging academic and DoD partnerships, though operates at national scale across services.
• Greentown Labs: Largest cleantech startup incubator in North America, focused on energy, mobility, and sustainability hardware. Directly comparable as a cleantech/energy-tech accelerator with hardware-prototyping facilities, though commercial (not defense-focused) mandate.
• FedTech: Federal technology accelerator that commercializes inventions from federal labs by pairing them with entrepreneurs. Directly comparable as a lab-to-market accelerator leveraging federal R&D, paralleling BEST START's DEVCOM-to-market pipeline.
• Army Applications Laboratory (AAL): U.S. Army's innovation accelerator that connects soldiers and commercial startups to solve Army problems. Highly comparable as the Army's own accelerator sibling to BEST START, with broader national scope versus BEST START's Minnesota regional focus.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global accelerator network with industry verticals including mobility, defense, and sustainability. Comparable as a multi-vertical accelerator with energy-adjacent programs, though equity-based model and broader portfolio differ from BEST START's no-cost defense-energy focus.
• Defense Innovation Unit (DIU): DoD organization that accelerates commercial technology adoption across all services. Comparable in dual-use defense acceleration mandate, but operates at far larger scale and with broader mandates than BEST START's energy-focused Minnesota cohort.
• MassChallenge: Global zero-equity startup accelerator with industry-specific programs including defense and energy. Comparable as a no-equity accelerator with energy-tech exposure, but operates at much larger international scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about BEST START