ChargeUp is a 6-month accelerator program that supports startups developing emerging solutions in the battery and energy storage space, across the entire value chain, by advancing their technology commercialization and investor readiness.
Applications
Jan. 10
Applications
Feb. 23
Cohort 1
April 9
Program
April 15
The 2024 ChargeUp program received over 90 applications from across the world, with four companies selected for the inaugural cohort through a rigorous, competitive review and pitching process, evaluated by a panel of top technical and business experts. These companies will each receive $25,000, mentorship from esteemed technical experts, investment opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. ChargeUp, the nation’s first and only accelerator dedicated to supporting battery and energy storage startups, is the latest program launched under NENY to propel domestic battery industry innovation, while fostering economic growth in Upstate New York.
ChargeUp Information Session 1 Nov. 13, 2024
Learn more about this 6-month accelerator program from staff, instructors, advisory board members and hear from cohort 1 companies on their experience of the program. Join us 11a.m.–12:00 p.m. EST on Zoom for this informational webinar.
Meet the companies of ChargeUp Cohort 1
Ateios Systems
Helping battery OEMs assemble better batteries by increasing the production of critical components and decreasing CAPEX and OPEX costs.
Standard Potential Co.
Scaling sodium-ion system and material technologies for sustainable energy storage.
MITO Material Solutions
Manufactures a drop-in hybrid polymer modifier that is used to toughen and lighten parts using epoxies and thermoplastics.
Fermi Energy, Inc.
Developing and scaling up low-cost and sustainable cathodes for high-energy automobile batteries.
About the ChargeUp Accelerator
Get Funding
$25,000 for companies to participate in the 6-month hybrid program, with connections to key investors and opportunities for follow-on investment, including up to $100,000 for technical development.
Learn From Experts
Over 200 hours of rigorous curriculum that will help your company become investment-ready by mastering business due diligence, design for manufacturing, managing complex supply chains, product pricing and other topics, led by industry veterans.
Join America’s Battery Tech Hub
Join a nation-leading comprehensive innovation ecosystem designated as a federal Battery Tech Hub to get access to additional opportunities and resources to develop your technologies, including:
- Battery prototyping and testing infrastructure and services
- Collaborations with world-class researchers
- Mentoring from top battery and energy storage industry experts
- Paid business, engineering and material sciences student talent
- NENY Battery Academy workforce training programs
- Grants dedicated to battery and energy storage companies
- Supply chain networking and resources
Get Funding
$25,000 for companies to participate in the 6-month hybrid program, with connections to key investors and opportunities for follow-on investment, including up to $100,000 for technical development.
Learn From Experts
Over 200 hours of rigorous curriculum that will help your company become investment-ready by mastering business due diligence, design for manufacturing, managing complex supply chains, product pricing and other topics, led by industry veterans.
Join America’s Battery Tech Hub
Join a nation-leading comprehensive innovation ecosystem designated as a federal Battery Tech Hub to get access to additional opportunities and resources to develop your technologies, including:
- Battery prototyping and testing infrastructure and services
- Collaborations with world-class researchers
- Mentoring from top battery and energy storage industry experts
- Paid business, engineering and material sciences student talent
- NENY Battery Academy workforce training programs
- Grants dedicated to battery and energy storage companies
- Supply chain networking and resources
Video: Scale Your Startup at ChargeUp
If you’re a startup from early-stage to Series A funding that is working on battery innovations, ChargeUp can help strengthen your business case and speed your technology commercialization. Meet the staff with ChargeUp and guest speakers from battery industry in New York state.
Video: Tips for Applying to ChargeUp
Watch for information and tips from program staff on submitting a quality application to increase your chances of consideration for the ChargeUp accelerator program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ChargeUp Accelerator program?
This hybrid 6-month program is primarily virtual with select weeks in person at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator in Binghamton, NY. The program includes lectures, discussions and assignments to fast track the investor readiness of your business, while connecting you with industry experts and resources in the federally designated Battery Tech Hub.
How can ChargeUp help my company?
You’ve identified a market need and have demonstrated proof-of-concept. Now you need help bringing your product to market. That’s where ChargeUp comes in.
We help you succeed with capital, connections and a community of resources. Each accepted company will receive $25,000 for program participation, with opportunities for follow-on funding. Our team will work closely with you to help make your company a success. We’ll connect you with our world-class advisors and partners so you can take advantage of their expertise and networks, and you’ll have opportunities to pitch to relevant investors.
We’ll help you identify and get in front of customers, and make introductions to the vast network of suppliers and potential partners within the upstate New York region. You’ll become a part of the New Energy New York Tech Hub and the entrepreneurial community at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. Each program participant that is able to participate in person will be provided with working space at the Koffman Incubator, as well as connections to relevant NENY partner resources, such as the Battery Academy. We’ll also hold community and networking events, so you can grow your network.
Throughout the program, we’ll provide you with the resources, knowledge and connections you need to succeed, as well as give you opportunities to hone your story.
Why upstate New York?
Upstate New York is home of the federally designated Battery Tech Hub, the most comprehensive innovation ecosystem for the battery industry in the nation. The Hub includes an unparalleled roster of battery-related research, development, prototyping, pilot manufacturing, testing and certification facilities, including shared-use dry rooms, battery cell prototyping centers, and cycle, abuse and burn testing infrastructure, with dedicated funding to support their use. The Hub also hosts premier research universities with a roster of leading sector researchers and innovators, including the Nobel Laureate inventor of the lithium-ion battery M. Stanley Whittingham. A network of incubator and business development organizations provides a comprehensive suite of programs, funding and resources to support startups and technology commercialization from lab to market. The Hub also provides key industry supply chain networking and connection opportunities.
How does my company apply to the ChargeUp Accelerator?
Companies can apply online beginning Jan. 15, 2024. Applications for Cohort 1 close on Feb. 23, 2024.
Email us anytime if you have questions when you’re reviewing the application.
Can my company stay in the region after ChargeUp?
The ecosystem with NENY is a strong foundation for startup companies, especially those in the battery and energy storage industry. We also believe extended incubation can help your company succeed. Companies accepting follow-on funding are required to remain in the Southern Tier of NY or become a member of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator following the investment.
Our designation as a Tech Hub brings in economic development partners such as IDAs and regional governments. Resources in the hub can help identify opportunities and incentives for your company to establish R&D and manufacturing presence upstate New York, supported by a roster of dedicated startup, supply chain, workforce development, and state economic development resources.
All program participants are welcome to stay as co-working members of Koffman through the end of the calendar year as well.
What kind of companies are a good fit for ChargeUp?
ChargeUp is ideal for companies that are developing battery or energy storage technologies — with preference given to battery technologies. Eligible technologies span the entire supply chain, from materials to manufacturing, battery system management, power electronics, battery applications (EVs, grid and stationary storage, consumer electronics, etc), safety, and end-of-life and recycling.
When can companies apply to ChargeUp?
Applications for Cohort 1 of ChargeUp are due Feb. 23, 2024. The application is linked here and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
What are the requirements for the applicant companies?
- U.S. startups
- Company innovations anywhere in the battery supply chain
- Have technologies proven at lab scale
- Have at least two full-time employees
- Have C-level team members able to participate in person for the accelerator
ChargeUp Advisory Board
M. Stanley whittingham,
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Nobel Laureate, Director, of NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage
Balki Iyer,
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Co-Founder, E-Zinc
William Acker
Board Member
Executive Director, New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology
Lynden Archer
Board Member
Dean, Engineering Cornell University
Yassine Cherkaoui
Board Member
CEO, Cidra Innovation Ventures
Innocent Chikunya
Board Member
Vice President, Panasonic Energy Corp.
Jim Greenberger
Board Member
Founder and Executive Director, NAATBatt
John Lemmon
Board Member
Sr. Director of Innovation, Breakthrough Energy
Shirley Meng
Board Member
Chief Scientist, Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science
Pulakesh Mukherjee
Board Member
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Imperative Ventures
Ryne Raffalle
Board Member
Vice President Research, Rochester Institute of Technology
Susan Schofer
Board Member
Partner, SOSV
Bijal Thakkar
Board Member
Vice President and General Manager, TE Connectivity
Shailesh Upreti
Board Member
Founder, iM3NY & C4V
Catherine Von Burg
Board Member
CEO and President, SimpliPhi Power, Inc.
The ChargeUp Accelerator is being made possible from an innovation grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) under Award ITE-2334103, and is modeled after NextCorps Luminate—the world’s largest accelerator for startups developing deep tech enabled by optics, photonics and imaging—and the NextCorps Manufacturing Accelerator. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. NSF.
