Zero Emissions Northwest

What Zero Emissions Northwest does

Zero Emissions Northwest (ZEN) is a Spokane, Washington-based energy consulting firm founded in 2023 that serves rural agricultural producers, small businesses, and school districts in the Pacific Northwest (primarily Washington and Idaho). The company operates as an official USDA Technical Assistance Contractor for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), providing end-to-end grant writing, energy audits, and project implementation services on a success-based fee model. ZEN augments its core consulting practice with adjacent product lines: BetterFill, a certified fuel additive (TCEQ, CARB, UN UnitAR approved) targeting gasoline and diesel fleets; Derive VQ Engine Software, a rule-based vehicle tuning product that adjusts shift points and idle RPM to deliver 6–10% fuel savings; the Solarize WA Ag Program (SWAAG), a group purchasing platform that has aggregated 20 farmers into 600kW of solar installations with ~$430K in client savings; The Giving Grid, a community solar program for rural school districts; and Go Drive ZEN, a fleet EV pilot rental program in partnership with Avista Utilities.

ZEN's go-to-market combines direct field sales to farmers and small businesses, channel partnerships with conservation districts (Spokane, Franklin), utility partnerships (Avista), and agricultural extension relationships (WSU Extension, Partners for Rural Washington). Revenue mechanics are diversified across one-time grant writing fees ($959–$1,400 per grant), unit-priced fuel additive sales, usage-based EV rentals, and discounted energy audit subscriptions via the ZENergy Partner program. Since formation the company has applied for more than $3M in REAP grants on behalf of clients, with $1.4M awarded to date and a 100% grant success rate.

The company is privately held, has no disclosed institutional funding, and is led by President David Funk, whose 15+ years in utility/commercial solar, battery storage, and EVs — combined with marriage into a sixth-generation family farm — provides the technical and cultural credibility needed to serve agricultural customers. The service portfolio is broad relative to the firm's apparent scale, spanning consulting, distributed products, and program administration, which suggests an early-stage platform strategy rather than a focused single-line business.

Name

Zero Emissions Northwest

Legal name

Zero Emissions Northwest

Website

https://zeroemissionsnorthwest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zero Emissions Northwest is a Spokane-based energy consulting firm founded in 2023 that serves rural Pacific Northwest farmers, small businesses, and school districts as an official USDA REAP grant contractor, with complementary products in fuel additives, engine tuning, and community solar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Consulting and Grant Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

akta.pro primary industry

Decarbonization Strategy & Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) Advisory (EUABAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

GHG Accounting & Net-Zero/Decarbonization Planning (Scopes 1–3) (EUAHAJAC), Scope 1–3 GHG Inventory Strategy, Data Governance & Controls (advisory) (EUABAKAD)

Keywords

• Energy consulting services
• USDA grant writing
• Rural renewable energy
• Fleet electrification rentals
• Fuel efficiency additives

Headquarters

HQ city

Spokane

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grant Writing and Technical Assistance: Success-based fee model where ZEN charges a one-time grant-writing fee only if the USDA REAP grant is awarded. No upfront cost to explore grant opportunities. ZEN handles the complete grant application process as an official USDA technical contractor.
2. BetterFill Fuel Additive Sales: Direct sales of certified fuel additive. Product treats 18,000 gallons per gallon purchased. Available in pints (1,000 gallons), quarts (3,000 gallons), and gallon sizes.
3. EV Fleet Pilot Program Rentals: 14-day or 28-day rental periods for Chevrolet EV trucks (Silverado EV WT, Equinox EV LT) offered to commercial and business fleets for real-world testing. Open to custom rental periods on case-by-case basis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zero Emissions Northwest is an energy consulting firm that helps rural Pacific Northwest farmers, agricultural producers, small businesses, and school districts access USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and implement practical decarbonization solutions. Its core offerings include REAP grant writing, renewable energy consulting (solar, geothermal, wind), energy audits, group solar purchasing (Solarize Ag Program), fleet EV rentals (Go Drive ZEN), and the sale of proprietary fuel-efficiency products (BetterFill additive and Derive VQ engine software).

Product overview

Zero Emissions Northwest operates as an energy consulting firm offering a portfolio of services focused on practical decarbonization for rural Pacific Northwest communities. The core offerings include USDA REAP grant writing services (ZENergy Partner™), renewable energy project development (Solarize Ag Program), fleet electrification evaluation (Go Drive ZEN), and community solar initiatives (The Giving Grid). Complementary products include BetterFill fuel additive (engine efficiency) and Derive VQ engine tuning software (vehicle fuel optimization). The company serves agricultural producers, rural small businesses, school districts, and community organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Giving Grid: A community solar program for rural Washington that helps rural school districts and communities access clean renewable energy while reducing operational costs and reinvesting savings into low-income programs.
• Go Drive ZEN
• ZENergy Partner™
• BetterFill
• Derive Systems
• Solarize Ag Program

Products and services

• The Giving Grid Community solar program that helps rural school districts and community organizations access clean renewable energy, with savings reinvested into low-income community programs for 10+ years.
• BetterFill Certified fuel additive for gasoline and diesel delivering up to 7% efficiency gains and 30% particulate emissions reduction; first additive approved by the state of Texas for both fuel types.
• Derive VQ Engine Software Custom fleet engine tuning software that adjusts shift points, acceleration, and idle RPM to increase MPG and reduce fuel costs by 6-10%; on-site installation in 15-20 minutes per vehicle.
• Go Drive ZEN Fleet EV pilot program allowing commercial and business fleets to rent Chevrolet Silverado EV WT or Equinox EV LT for 14-28 day periods with full fleet analysis and custom data reports.
• ZENergy Partner™ Comprehensive energy consulting service offering 75%-subsidized energy audits, free feasibility studies, grants, and energy efficiency solutions, delivered through conservation district partnerships.
• REAP Grant Writing Services USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) technical assistance and grant writing for agricultural producers and rural small businesses, covering renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements under a success-based fee model.
• Solarize Ag Program Group purchasing program for agricultural producers in Washington and Idaho that lowers solar costs through economies of scale via competitive RFP and end-to-end project management including grant application support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7.4% fuel efficiency gain using BetterFill fuel additive, saving 2,200 gallons ($5,515 annually) for wheat farm
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Partners for Rural Washington (PRWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZEN + PRWA is officially a Technical Assistance Contractor for the USDA REAP Program in WA & ID. Together they oversee The Giving Grid program and have been awarded more than $5 million for Eastern WA projects. PRWA provides program administration support and community connections.
• Spokane Conservation DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with local conservation district to deliver ZENergy Partner energy audit services. Conservation districts provide trusted local relationships with rural landowners and farmers.
• Franklin Conservation DistrictminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with local conservation district for ZENergy Partner program delivery in Franklin County region.
• Avista UtilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch Go Drive ZEN Fleet EV Pilot Program - a fleet-focused initiative helping commercial and business fleets evaluate electric vehicles in real-world conditions. Avista provides utility expertise and potential charging infrastructure support.
• Ameri-WestcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWinning solar contractor for SWAAG program providing solar, electrical, and general contracting expertise for installations across participating farms. Based out of Spokane, bringing capabilities to rural Washington.
• Washington State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSU Extension's Energy Program partnered on The Giving Grid initiative. Jody Opheim, Director for Partners for Rural Washington, highlighted alignment with mission to foster innovation in rural areas. WSU provided event support and monitoring infrastructure.
• Ellensburg SolarminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSolar installation contractor for Harrington School District project as part of The Giving Grid program.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)coreOthersZEN is officially contracted by the USDA as a Technical Assistance Contractor to assist with REAP grants in Washington and Idaho. ZEN handles REAP grant projects from start to finish as an authorized USDA contractor.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sustainable Energy Advantage: Clean energy consulting firm offering strategic advisory, market analysis, and program design for renewable energy and decarbonization initiatives. Closely comparable to ZEN's strategic consulting work for decarbonization, energy program design, and stakeholder support.
• Meister Consultants Group: Clean energy and climate consulting firm advising on policy, program design, and market development. Comparable to ZEN in providing strategic advisory and program support for decarbonization and clean energy adoption, particularly with multi-stakeholder coordination.
• Cadeo Group: Energy consulting firm providing technical, policy, and program support to utilities, governments, and clean energy clients. Comparable to ZEN in delivering consulting services tied to public/utility energy programs and helping clients access funding for energy projects.
• RREAL (Rural Renewable Energy Alliance): Minnesota-based rural solar nonprofit focused on bringing renewable energy to rural communities. Highly comparable to ZEN's rural agricultural and community-solar focus, with similar mission of practical renewable deployment for underserved rural customers.

Broad incumbents

• Franklin Energy: Large-scale energy efficiency implementation firm serving utilities, businesses, and public agencies with program design and delivery. Comparable to ZENergy Partner's energy audit and program delivery model, though at far greater scale and breadth across geographies.
• ICF International: Large global consulting firm with a substantial energy and environment practice advising governments and utilities on climate, energy, and sustainability programs. Comparable to ZEN's USDA REAP technical assistance and energy program work, but at enterprise scale and across many federal/state programs.

Emerging players

• Catalyze: Clean energy development and financing platform helping businesses and developers deploy distributed energy and decarbonization projects. Comparable to ZEN's project development work for solar, EV, and energy efficiency with hands-on project management and funding sourcing.
• Arcadia: Clean energy data platform connecting customers, utilities, and clean energy programs through a unified software/API layer. Adjacent to ZEN's work helping customers navigate energy programs, though Arcadia operates as a technology platform rather than a regional consulting firm.
• BlocPower: Climate-tech company providing building electrification and energy efficiency project financing for underserved real estate. Comparable to ZEN's community-focused energy upgrades (e.g., The Giving Grid) and its work helping under-resourced customers access upgrade capital.

Regional players

• Energy Trust of Oregon: Nonprofit energy efficiency program administrator serving Oregon utility customers with energy assessments, incentives, and project delivery. Highly comparable to ZENergy Partner's model of energy audits plus renewable development assistance, though focused on Oregon rather than WA/ID.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/zeroemissionsnorthwest
• Facebookfacebook.com/zeroemissionsnorthwest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zero-emissions-northwest

Compliance3 records

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

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Zero Emissions Northwest