PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Resurgence cleantech accelerator is powered by Deep Tech Ventures at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Startups will gain access to business training and technical advisement, premier facilities, industry mentors, student talent, and venture capital, as well as additional funding opportunities. This 9-month hybrid program is designed to support ventures that are focused on four specific areas of the cleantech industry:   

• Energy storage and infrastructure – Batteries and grid-scale storage solutions capable of transporting and modulating dynamic energy flows.
• Next-generation nuclear solutions – Next-generation nuclear breakthroughs enabling a sustainable and stable baseline energy supply.
• Hydrogen and alternative fuels – Alternative fuels for ultra-high energy density applications in which rapid fuel-ups and safe transport are necessary.
• Materials refinement and process intensification­ – New materials/catalysts, recapture of economic minerals and their place in a circular economy; process modifiers that minimize waste and maximize efficiency.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

• Focus area must be in one of the areas this accelerator is designed to support: (1) energy storage and infrastructure, (2) next generation nuclear solutions, (3) hydrogen and alternative fuels, or (4) materials refinement and process intensification.
• The startup must be an established U.S. legal entity at the time of entry to the program.
• A core team should be in place including a technical lead and business lead.
• The CEO/CTO must be able to work side-by-side with other cohort members in Chicago and immerse in the regional cleantech ecosystem for designated periods during the 9-month hybrid program.
• Preference for early-stage ventures (established within the last 3 years) past the ideation stage with well-established proof-of-concept data.
• The startup should not have more than $1M raised in dilutive funding (no cap on non-dilutive funding).
• Note: The accelerator will take 1% equity in post-money SAFE for program participation. The $30K cash investment will have a separate SAFE.

APPLICATION Interested teams should submit the linked application form no later than 11:59 PM (Central) on August 16, 2024.  More information about the program can be found on the Resurgence website. Please direct questions to Ryan Brownlow.