Category: Blog

General Blog Discussion

Statement from the Transportation Electrification Partnership Regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s Proposed 2021-2022 Budget

Posted on January 14, 2021 by - N-News, Blog, Main, Home Featured, LACI News

LOS ANGELES, CA – “On behalf of the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), we applaud and thank Governor Newsom for including $1.5 billion for infrastructure and incentives in his budget proposal to implement the state’s bold zero emission vehicle goals to create jobs, advance equity, and electrify goods movement. This is a key step toward achieving our bold regional targets by 2028, and statewide goals by 2035 and beyond. We also look forward to working with the Newsom Administration and the Legislature to advance our proposal for a California EV Authority to ensure we meet these goals while growing our economy and ensuring all communities benefit from these proposed investments.

TEP is calling for the creation of a California Electric Vehicle Authority (CEVA) to enhance the coordination and financing tools needed to accelerate the transition for vehicles and charging infrastructure while boosting equity, job creation, workforce training, and economic development. The CEVA was introduced in the last legislative session via SB633 by Senator Henry Stern.

In addition, we need to work with our federal partners to support transportation electrification here in greater Los Angeles, across California, and throughout the nation. To help put people back to work, restart our economy, and clean our air, LACI and 74 companies, business organizations and labor groups across the country have advocated for a $150 billion federal stimulus proposal to be included in infrastructure stimulus in response to the economic crisis precipitated by the COVID pandemic.”

ABOUT TEP

The Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) is an unprecedented regional public-private collaboration to accelerate deep reductions in climate and air pollution by the time of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games by pursuing bold targets, pilots, initiatives, and policies that are equity-driven, create quality jobs, and grow the economy.

Current members include:

Leadership Group: Mayor Garcetti, CARB, County of Los Angeles, LADWP, LA Metro, Southern California Edison, LACI

Advisory Group: Audi of America, BMW Group, ENGIE Impact, Nissan of North America, PCS Energy, BYD Motors, Normal Now sponsored by Electrify America, Greenlots, Itron, Proterra, AMPLY Power, Burbank Water & Power, Clean Power Alliance, Culver City, East Bay Community Energy, Glendale Water & Power, Inglewood, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 11 / National Electrical Contractors Association Los Angeles County, Metrolink, Pasadena Water & Power, Santa Monica, Southern California Public Power Authority, Tesla

ABOUT LACI

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. In the past ten years, LACI has helped 236 portfolio companies raise $508 million in funding, $272 million in revenue, and create over 2,100 jobs in the Los Angeles region. Learn more at laci.org.

LACI Announces First Year of Investments from $5 Million Early Stage Impact Investment Fund

Posted on January 12, 2021 by - N-News, Blog, Main, Portfolio Companies, Home Featured, LACI News

Exactly one year ago, LACI announced the LACI Impact Fund (LIF) for early-stage cleantech startups, as part of a relaunch of its cohort-based startup program. The $5 million LIF considers investment in LACI portfolio companies that are in good standing, have an active round of investment with a lead investor, and have demonstrated strong commitment to impact. The LIF provides our startups with an opportunity to have access to capital that aligns with LACI’s social impact priorities. In 2020, LACI invested in 6 companies, with a number of companies in its pipeline for future investments.

LACI-incubated startups are eligible to apply to the LIF if they: A) have an open and active round with a specified lead; B) secure a sufficient score based on their commitment to environmental, social and economic impact. Startups selected for this year’s incubation cohort will be eligible for investments as well. The application deadline is this Friday, January 15. Startups selected for LACI’s incubation program and for the LACI Impact Fund must focus on one of LACI’s Technological Priorities: Zero Emissions Transportation, Clean Energy and Circular Economy.

“Through the LACI Impact Fund, we are delighted to invest in our startup companies that are working day in and out to create an inclusive green economy,” said Matt Petersen, Managing Director of the Fund and CEO of LACI, reflecting on the investments to date.

The launch of the LIF included investments in Seatrec and FreeWire. Subsequently, 6 companies received funding from the Impact Fund in 2020, and continue to scale their products into markets across the country and world. All LACI Impact Fund companies are listed below:

  • Ampaire
    Founders: Kevin Noertker & Cory Combs
    Company Mission: Ampaire is designing and developing high performance zero-emission aircraft to help improve efficiency and reduce aviation’s impact on climate change.
  • Envoy
    Founders: Aric Ohana & Ori Sagie
    Company Mission: Envoy is committed to providing affordable, convenient and sustainable shared mobility to communities by offering Mobility as an Amenity™ where you live, work, or stay.
  • FreeWire
    Founder: Arcady Sosinov
    Company Mission: FreeWire Technologies provides clean, quiet mobile power and fast charging that’s easy to deploy, wherever and whenever you need it.
  • Nature Coatings
    Founder: Jane Palmer
    Company Mission: Nature Coatings transforms wood waste into high performing black pigments.
  • Pick My Solar
    Founders: Max Aram & Chris Blevins
    Company Mission: Pick My Solar is the first managed marketplace for the residential solar and energy storage market.
  • Repurpose
    Founder:     Lauren Gropper
    Company Mission: Repurpose is a line of sustainable tableware that looks out for the health of you, your family, and the planet.
  • Seatrec
    Founder: Yi Chao
    Company Mission: Seatrec designs and manufactures energy harvesting solutions that generate electricity from naturally occurring temperature differences in ocean waters.
  • Xeal
    Founders: Xander Isaacson & Nikhil Bhardwaj
    Company Mission: Xeal accelerates electric vehicle adoption by making charging stations work anywhere for anyone.

The LACI Impact Fund will continue investing in new cleantech innovation throughout 2021. To find out more about the LACI Incubation Program or the Impact Fund, please visit LACI’s Incubation Program. Applications for the 2nd Incubation Cohort program are open until January 15th, 2021. 

Accelerating a Reliable, Clean Energy Future

Posted on January 5, 2021 by - N-News, Blog, Main, Portfolio Companies, Home Featured, LACI News

This past summer California experienced extreme heat due to the climate crisis, exacerbating and challenging the electric grid to maintain reliable electric service. The result of raging wildfires and prolonged heat waves combined with other grid planning factors led to power outages and rotating blackouts that had not occurred since the 2001 energy crisis.  Severe weather conditions, like the summer heat wave, create new challenges in keeping the lights on, exacerbating grid weaknesses, and disproportionately putting vulnerable communities at risk. 

In response to the climate crisis which is impacting California at a pace ahead of scientific models, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced his commitment to explore accelerating the state’s decarbonization goals, including the goal of a clean energy grid by 2045. At a press conference in fire-stricken Butte County, Newsom stated, “I think 2045 is too late” to get to a clean energy grid. 

These distressing conditions can serve as a catalyst to develop an electric system that can better withstand the consequences of climate change, while accelerating our move to clean energy as well as transportation electrification. As such, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) supports the Governor’s commitment to accelerate the transition to a clean energy grid that was established by groundbreaking legislation in SB 100 and his recent Executive Order to accelerate the deployment of electric transportation. 

These market signals from California policy makers, along with a Biden Administration that is supportive of an ambitious and equitable clean energy revolution, call for innovation from our state’s entrepreneurs. At LACI, we are demonstrating how these clean technologies will enable this improved, resilient grid through startups, partnerships, and pilots.

Exactly one month before California experienced its first of two rotating blackouts, LACI launched a small-scale electric vehicle (EV) community car-share pilot that is illustrating resiliency on the electric grid. LACI, in partnership with community partner Pacoima Beautiful, Envoy – a LACI startup – and Nissan deployed EVs to a community center in the San Fernando Gardens housing development, while keeping the needs of the community front and center. At the core, the pilot provides affordable and accessible clean transportation options, which are critical to the low-income community that is also burdened by poor air quality and can lack access to transportation. 

To ensure resiliency, we incorporated an off-grid, solar-powered electric vehicle supply equipment with battery backup that can serve as an emergency source of power for portable devices in the event of a power outage.  As the public and private sectors work together to create a clean, reliable electricity grid, we need to think creatively about how we can incorporate these types of solutions across every neighborhood.

Along with off-grid and local clean energy solutions, a modern, reliable grid will also need to solve for utility scale technologies. California has done an incredible job of accelerating the adoption of solar energy with approximately 28,000 megawatts installed since 2005. As Governor Newsom moves to accelerate solar and clean energy ahead of 2045, the fast deployment of various forms of storage is necessary. Alumina Energy, another LACI startup, provides distributed and utility energy storage solutions that turn renewables into 24-hour dispatchable resources that are cost-competitive or lower than fossil fuels. Alumina’s technology is a packed bed thermal energy storage that has a 30+ years life cycle – making it cost-effective and a long-term solution. This type of distributed and utility-scale technology becomes even more critical when we think about the diverse set of solutions we’ll need to properly respond to the disruptive and different types of extreme weather events. 


(Pictured: the launch of Pacoima Electro-Share with
Pacoima Beautiful and Envoy in the early summer of 2020)

Lastly, when we think of grid resiliency, we also need to consider the energy-transportation nexus. California is a leader when it comes to clean transportation. The state has a goal for there to be 5 million EVs on California roads by 2030 and recently, the Governor signed an executive order to phase out the sale of new gas-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035 and a transition to 100% zero-emission heavy duty short-haul drayage trucks by 2035 and other heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. 

LACI and the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) are working towards a target of 30% of all passenger cars in LA County to be electric by the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As we work with our partners to advance progress towards these goals, we are supporting the discovery of new technologies that are needed to enable greater use of EVs and the efficient dispatch of energy, as needed, to support the grid. AMPLY Power and NeoCharge are two LACI startups that demonstrate this insight. AMPLY Power offers customized charging solutions to commercial fleet operators that optimize grid conditions to maximize savings. NeoCharge optimizes EV charging solutions in a manner that makes charging more cost-competitive for apartments and condos, while also supporting the needs of the grid. Additional work is needed to ensure these types of vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-building technologies are incentivized to come online to support grid resiliency. 

As California establishes new climate goals, we need to keep in mind that we need to move aggressively and inclusively to meet the needs of a clean and reliable energy grid. These recent heat waves, combined with massive wildfires throughout the state, demonstrate that we need to act now. LACI will continue to drive forth solutions and innovations with the public and private sectors to ensure an equitable, clean, and reliable energy future.

Second Cohort of Market Access Program Provides On-The-Ground Mobility Solutions For Communities Across Los Angeles

Posted on December 2, 2020 by - Uncategorized, N-News, Blog, Main, Home Featured, LACI News

LACI recently launched its latest cohort of our Market Access program, which is designed to scale startups through transformative energy, transportation and circular economy pilots and supportive services. Series A startups in Southern California with less than $25 million raised were invited to apply and we admitted three companies who are now working with our teams to put their innovative tech into practice and into communities around Los Angeles.

Startups involved with the pilots receive: grant funding and access to LACI’s Impact Fund and Debt Fund; connection to government and corporate stakeholders; project scoping, implementation management, and evaluation advice throughout the 1-2 year-long pilot term with in-depth pilot measurement, analysis, and reporting including quarterly and final reports; and access to Market Transformation pilot partners.

This second cohort includes the teams at Circuit and Chewbox, which are integrating their tech in our zero-emissions community pilot program that recently launched in Leimert Park. The other company in this cohort is Automotus, which is working with our team to set up the first-in-the-nation zero-emissions last-mile delivery zone in downtown Santa Monica. 

Circuit makes transportation easier, greener, and more enjoyable by building on-demand, last-mile shuttle services for cities around the US. Using an on-demand app, fleets of electric cars, and teams of W2 drivers, they’ve provided over 3.5 million rides without charging a dollar or burning an ounce of gas. In Leimert Park, Circuit’s two Neighborhood Electric Vehicle shuttles operate within a set coverage area for on-demand service from Thursday through Sunday.

 

ChewBox provides a cloud-based OS for ghost kitchens, making opening a restaurant as simple as launching a Twitter account. They are working with South LA Cafe in the same community to pilot cafe and market delivery across Los Angeles County, making it their first new restaurant integration.

Automotus is a computer vision company that helps cities better understand and manage their increasingly complex curb space while also helping commercial fleets get more dedicated access to the curb. Working with our pilots team in a 1-mile radius in downtown Santa Monica they will help develop a blueprint for cities to adopt zero-emissions delivery zones for last-mile delivery and best practices for integrating sidewalk delivery robots, e-Scooters, e-Bikes, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs, as well as commercial EV car shares on our city streets.

These pilots that employ each of these companies’ tech will provide immediate benefits to the local community with reduced air pollution, GHG emissions, noise, and congestion, as well as improved safety. Additionally, they will provide economic opportunity to small businesses and individuals through access to zone benefit, workforce development through local hires and cleantech job training, and help create an important mode shift for goods and people movement in Los Angeles. 

LACI’s first cohort in the Market Access program included URB-E and Envoy, which successfully deployed their tech in community pilots in Long Beach, Pacoima, and San Pedro. URB-E scooters were deployed with the Long Beach Conservation Corps and Envoy’s EV car-sharing service is currently being used in communities that previously had little to no access to EVs in their neighborhoods. 

To learn more about our startup incubation programs please visit here.

Power Day 2020: Celebrating the Accomplishments of the LA Regional Energy Innovation Ecosystem

Posted on October 12, 2020 by - Uncategorized, N-News, Blog, Home Featured, LACI News

On October 1, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) hosted its Second Annual LACI Power Day Conference, bringing together the clean energy ecosystem in California and celebrating accomplishments that have resulted from bold policy commitments. The event provided LACI Startups with the opportunity to showcase their technology to stakeholders in the region and broaden their potential customer and partner base. 

Opening Remarks 

LACI’s President and CEO, Matt Petersen, kicked off the event welcoming guests  and affirmed the importance of clean energy innovation and technology including LACI’s support of Governor Newsom’s commitment to accelerate the state’s decarbonization goals, including the goal of a clean energy grid by 2045.

After, California Energy Commission Vice-Chair Janea Scott provided opening remarks, spotlighting the renewal of the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) program through 2030 that will invest $1.5 billion in clean technology over the next 10 years. Commissioner Scott also emphasized the Empower Innovation Network Platform that enables users to find resources and funding opportunities and connects individuals and organizations to create a clean energy economy for all. 

Innovators Pitch Competition

In the first pitch session of the day, CAMUS Energy and Green Light Labs, graduates from LACIs Innovators Program, a light touch one-year program for cleantech startups in the pre seed stage, pitched their clean technology and how their solution provides benefits in a post-COVID Society. In order to select a winner from this pitch competition LACI invited venture capital partners from Tech Coast Angels, Element 8, and Pasadena Angels to judge the pitches, culminating with Green Light Labs as the winner.

Power Talk Panels

The second part of the half day event was filled with panels focused on two major industry topics: Transportation and Battery Circularity. 

The Transportation Panel focused on transportation needs in a post-COVID Society and how to make zero emission and clean mobility accessible to all. The panel was moderated by Aric Ohana, the CEO of Envoy There, who led the discussion with industry leaders including Phil Washington, CEO of LA Metro, Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of MetroLink, Tamika Butler, transportation advocate and Principal of Tamika L. Butler Consulting, and Peter Lee, CEO of URB-E. Their discussion touched on how the COVID-19 Pandemic affected transportation operations and ridership as well as what policies, investments and behavioral changes are needed to ensure equitable clean public transit. 

The battery circularity panel was led by LACI’s very own Alex Mitchell, Sr. Vice President of Unlocking Innovation. Alex navigated panelists through a discussion on the potential for developing a marketplace for second life batteries, the challenges and  opportunities that exist around battery recycling and how the clean energy ecosystem should capitalize on those opportunities. The panel consisted of Jeremie Papin, Vice Chairman of Nissan North America,  Teresa Bui, Special Advisor at Cal Recycle, Arcady Sosinov, CEO of FreeWire Technologies, and Vaughn Blake, General Partner of Blue Bear Capital.

 

Remarks from UCLA’s Provost 

In between the first and second half of the day, Dr. Emily A. Carter, UCLA’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost provided remarks on how Los Angeles is positioned to lead the state and the nation in the adoption and deployment of sustainable city practices. Dr. Carter highlighted the energy and climate research that has been produced by UCLA as a living lab and the critical collaboration between LACI and UCLA that leads to innovative technology solutions.

Incubation Pilot Pitch Showcase

Later in the day, we showcased LACI startup companies in our Incubator program through a pilot project showcase with technology solutions related to Clean Energy, Clean Mobility and Circular Economy Solutions. Pitches from the twelve LACI Incubation Cohort 1 startups companies focused on their Pilot Project funded by LACI’s Pilots Program under its Market Transformation Pillar.  Startups featured in the Showcase included:  Alumina, ChargerHelp Inc., ePave, JumpWatts, Maxwell Vehicles, Neocharge, Noria Water Technologies, SEED, Sparkcharge, Substance Power and Mobility, TBM Designs , Xeal. 

Keynote Speaker Address from Board Chair of the Energy Foundation

Lastly, the day concluded with a speech from our Keynote Speaker, Rose McKinney-James, Board Chair of the Energy Foundation. She discussed the urgent need for climate change mitigation action, additional collaboration, and the intersection of clean energy and social justice. She spotlighted the important role that innovation plays in addressing challenges and advancing advocacy to support economic, environmental and social issues.   

Moving forward

The half-day event brought together 288 stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and sectors – Including 197 unique organizations such as corporate business, utilities, investors, government agencies, non-profits, startups, other accelerators, national labs and universities. The connections established through this event by LACI enable best practices and new technology trends to be shared throughout the ecosystem strengthening our collective efforts to combat climate change and create an inclusive green economy. We look forward to next year’s Power Day and celebrating the continued efforts and achievements of the clean energy ecosystem.

Watch portions of LACI Power Day 2020 below via our Power Day 2020 YouTube playlist.

To learn more about LACI’s Pilots Programs email Pilots@LACI.org or visit our website. For more information on how to invest in a LACI Startup email Taj@LACI.org.

Power Day 2020 YouTube Playlist




The Hill: Newsom’s EV executive order will help make California breathable again

Posted on October 8, 2020 by - N-News, Blog, Home Featured, LACI News

Climate science has long warned us of the extreme heat and extreme fires that we are now facing on the West Coast. As tragically historic fires burn 4 million acres and repeated heat waves ravage our state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) recent executive order on zero emission cars and trucks is the bold action required to tackle this climate crisis.

Transportation is responsible for 40 percent of our state’s emissions and has long been the major source of smog-forming pollution our residents live with every day. Transforming how we move people and goods away from the internal combustion engine and fossil fuels will also help prevent thousands of deaths annually due to air pollution and reduce the risk for vulnerable populations due to upper respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

LACI Launches Second Community EV Car-Share Program in San Pedro

Posted on September 25, 2020 by - N-News, Blog, Main, Home Featured, LACI News




“Rancho San Pedro Electric Car Share” Pilot Part Of Initiative To Reduce Air Pollution, Increase Access To Zero-Emissions Mobility Across LA

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), and Envoy, a LACI portfolio company, recently launched a new electric vehicle (EV) community car-share program named Rancho San Pedro Electric Car Share. LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership member, Nissan North America, is providing funding for one of the electric vehicles for the pilot. 

The cars are stationed at the HACLA Rancho San Pedro property, providing direct and affordable access to EV’s to Rancho San Pedro residents beginning last week.

The program is part of LACI’s Zero Emissions Mobility and Community Pilot Project Fund which is launching four zero-emissions mobility pilots around Los Angeles county this year. The first pilot, named Pacoima Electro-Share, launched in Pacoima, CA in July 2020. The fund is part of the ongoing work of LACI and the Transportation Electrification Partnership’s (TEP) efforts to bring investment, jobs, and the benefits of the green economy to underserved communities while reducing air pollution and increasing the use of zero-emission vehicles regionally.

The pilot program’s commitment to community includes affordable hourly rates and alternative payment methods for the unbanked population. The pilot is being made possible by a grant to LACI from the State of California.

“LACI is determined to bring the benefits of electric vehicles and mobility to historically underserved communities,” said LACI CEO Matt Petersen. “Partnering with HACLA and Envoy, with support from the State Legislature and other partners, we are putting in place the kinds of solutions that can ensure equity and help meet the goals announced in Governor Newsom’s historic executive order this week.” 

“I am pleased that the State of California is supporting this innovative project led by LACI and HACLA,” said California State Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). “This program will bring EV ride sharing and charging infrastructure into communities in the 35th Senate District that previously lacked access to both, empowering consumers with new clean transportation options. Broadening access to clean vehicles is a critical part of our response to climate change.”

“Congratulations to this public-private partnership between Envoy, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and the Housing Authority of Los Angeles,” said California State Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach). “This project will bring good paying, green jobs to our community while providing San Pedro residents access to transportation options that will reduce carbon emissions.”

“As California takes the necessary steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve our air quality, we must also take steps to ensure that every community is included in this zero-emission future,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino (D-15). “In order to achieve that inclusive future, we must innovate with pilot programs like LACI’s EV car share program and continue to make sure that diverse and underserved communities benefit from these innovations.”

“Going green shouldn’t be reserved for only a specific socioeconomic status,” said HACLA President and CEO Doug Guthrie. “This electric vehicle share initiative provides a benefit to the community and environment as a whole. The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles is proud to partner with LACI on this forward-thinking and innovative pilot program that brings both opportunity and access to our residents in a community that is often overlooked and underserved,” Guthrie added. 

“We’re thrilled to be launching our second community car share program in partnership with LACI and HACLA. 

Envoy’s vehicles will be providing anessential service to this San Pedro community where the nearest grocery store is over half a mile away,” said Aric Ohana, CEO of Envoy. “Envoy is providing a low-cost mobility solution to help bridge the access gap. In addition, we’re enabling communities who are typically late adopters of technology and especially electric vehicles to be first adopters.”

“We are excited to make a Nissan Leaf available for the HACLA residents in San Pedro in partnership with Envoy and LACI,” says Rachel Nguyen, Director of Nissan Future Lab. “We continue to work to find solutions that provide people access to clean and affordable means of transportation for their everyday trips.”

#  #  #

LACI’s currently seeking e-bike share solutions (e-bikes, infrastructure, and ops & maintenance providers) for the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles’ Rancho San Pedro development. Submit your Request for Proposal (RFP) by October 29, 2021 at laci.org/opportunities

ABOUT LACI

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. In the past ten years, LACI has helped 236 portfolio companies raise $508 million in funding, $272 million in revenue, and create over 2,100 jobs in the Los Angeles region. Learn more at laci.org

 

MEDIA CONTACT

communications@laci.org

Statement from LACI CEO and Transportation Electrification Partnership Chair Matt Petersen

Posted on September 23, 2020 by - Uncategorized, N-News, Blog, Main, Home Featured, LACI News, News Featured

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from LACI CEO and Transportation Electrification Partnership Chair Matt Petersen

LOS ANGELES, CA – After today’s announcements from California Governor Gavin Newsom on climate initiatives, Matt Petersen, CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and Chair of the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), released the following statement:

“On behalf of LACI and our unprecedented Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP), we applaud Governor Newsom’s ambitious yet needed targets to only sell zero emission passenger cars and trucks by 2035 and have all medium- and heavy-duty trucks be zero emissions by 2045, with a 2035 goal for drayage trucks. We also applaud the Governor’s commitment to advancing equity by increasing access to zero emissions solutions, including used EVs and micromobility options such as electric bikes. Governor Newsom’s leadership shows that, in the face of the worst climate crisis with wildfires and extreme heat ravaging our state, California will continue to lead.

“Through our collaboration with California Air Resources Board, regional utilities, Mayor Garcetti, Los Angeles County, LA Metro, labor, and industry, LACI and our partners set bold transportation electrification targets for light duty cars, mode shift, and goods movement for the LA region to advance climate equity, reduce air pollution, and more by the time the world arrives for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

To help achieve our targets and the state to lead, we are calling for the creation of a California electric vehicle authority to enhance the coordination needed and create additional financing tools for vehicles and charging infrastructure while boosting equity, job creation, workforce training, and economic development. Given the economic recovery needed due to COVID, we also convened a national coalition of over 80 companies, business organizations, and labor groups to push for comprehensive stimulus measures to support not just California’s zero emissions transportation efforts, but to grow this critical sector at the national level.

“California is building the future here now to clear the smoke and pollution from our air so all our state’s residents and future generations can breathe freely. LACI and TEP look forward to working with the Governor and the legislature to ensure all of our communities benefit from these policies.”

 

ABOUT LACI

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) is creating an inclusive green economy for the people of Los Angeles by: unlocking innovation by working with startups to accelerate the commercialization of clean technologies; transforming markets through partnerships with policymakers, innovators, and market leaders in transportation, energy and sustainable cities; and enhancing communities through workforce development, pilots, and other programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), LACI is recognized as one of the most innovative business incubators in the world by UBI. In the past ten years, LACI has helped 236 portfolio companies raise $508 million in funding, $272 million in revenue, and create over 2,100 jobs in the Los Angeles region. Learn more at laci.org.

LACI Welcomes Cohort 5 of Innovators

Posted on September 8, 2020 by - Uncategorized, N-News, Blog, Main, Home Featured, LACI News, News Featured

LACI recently welcomed its fifth cohort of LACI Innovators—16 startup businesses seeking to change the world for the better. This year’s cohort includes companies that are innovating to make the power grid cleaner and work better; to move LA toward an electric transportation future; and to reduce waste in our environment.

Through Cohort 5 and those that came before, LACI empowers a new generation of entrepreneurs  to lead the 21st century cleantech economy. Through the LACI Innovators program, startup founders receive a free 12-month network access program for early-stage cleantech companies. Designed for companies based in Southern California, this program helps startups become more competitive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable.

The work of our startups is more important than ever in the face of a pandemic and climate crisis. These companies are on the front lines, implementing solutions that will improve public health and environmental outcomes while also creating new wealth in California communities.  

The cleantech innovation ecosystem in California is growing thanks in large part to the dedication of the California Energy Commission (CEC)  which has funded programs to nurture cleantech like the LACI Innovators Program over the past several years. This year we received 36 applications in total for the Innovators Program.

Please join us in welcoming LACI’s Innovators Program Cohort 5!

The full cohort is listed below: 

Advanced Energy Analytics

Advanced Energy Analytics have developed a software platform for utility companies, Interconnection Qualifier (IQ), that streamlines and automates the approval process that new technologies need to undergo to be used by utilities. The software reduces the processing time, provides cohesion among all utilities, and removes uncertainty associated with the process. 

BioZen Batteries, Inc.

BioZen Batteries develops advanced organic electrolytes for organic redox flow batteries (O-RBFs). Our technology is a key component in stationary battery storage that helps meet immediate needs in (1) modernizing the electric grid, (2) providing emergency back-up systems in the form of community micro-grids, and (3) various applications in off-grid storage.

ChargeNet

ChargeNet’s cloud-based Energy-as-a-Service platform integrates EV Fast Chargers, Solar, Energy Storage and Restaurant/Retail Point-of-Sale systems to stack value streams into one consolidated solution, built to scale for the EV and clean energy revolution. We use point-of-sale and other valuable data that provides highly accurate forecasting to optimize charging arrays, solar, and energy storage resulting in maximized returns for customers, partners and investors.

EV Life, LLC

EV Life is a web platform that makes it easier for people to drive an electric car than gas. It offers car shopping tools, charging & range calculators, and an EV Climate Loan that can save drivers $200 per month on financing.

Fil₂R

Fil₂R sells plastic reducing and sustainable water filtration devices for at home use. Their  first product is a Fil2R case reusable water filters compatible with existing water filter pitchers (BRITA and PUR).

GreenTek Packaging

Hemptensils(tm) is Greentek’s line of first-in-kind compostable plasticwares made from industrial hemp and corn byproducts. Designed to offset the 40 billion plastic utensils used annually in the US that is increasing due to the pandemic, it offers a solution for the millions of pounds of stalks being wasted in the recently federally legalized industrial hemp industry.

The Hurd Co

The Hurd Co produces Agrilose™, a cost-competitive, sustainable, fiber feedstock pulp made entirely from agricultural waste. This material can be used to make sustainable fabric.

TransforMAX by hybriData

hybriData addresses potential power losses and electrical faults caused by manual evaluation of power transformers by intelligently and actively monitoring the transformer. 

Lamar IoT Inc.

LAMAR is a cold chain logistics innovator that provides a hardware-software platform that leverages flexible electronic sensors and predictive analytics to identify and mitigate temperature condition excursion damages, increase supply chain efficiency, and decreasing costs due to supply chain waste processes in real-time.

MeterLeader

MeterLeader helps curb carbon emissions from electricity use and heating by leveraging real-time data and proven social science principles to motivate people to adopt energy efficient equipment and behaviors in their homes and buildings. Users can easily create and participate in customizable energy saving challenges that are integrated with real-time energy data.

Newbury Power Solutions LLC (note: website is not yet live)

Newbury Power Solutions’ FESS (Flywheel Energy Storage System/Solution) product aims to compete against residential and small commercial Li-ion battery storage products. Flywheels do not pose a risk of fire and are not adversely affected by temperature changes. They can operate at much wider temperature ranges and are not subject to limited cycling or power degradation over time.

ONYX POWER LLC

ONYX POWER builds rugged, portable, clean, and quiet power systems that act as substitutes and replacements for gas and diesel generators.

Rewilder

Rewilder is a consumer goods company that specializes in products made out of post-industrial high-tech materials. Rewilder is building a platform for distribution called Rewilder ReSupply. The platform will give corporations, institutions, and independent businesses and designers access to upcycled high tech materials, creating a circular solution that decreases landfilled waste by introducing viable resources back into the supply chain.

Rhoman Aerospace

Rhoman Aerospace builds drone control systems that allow current electric vertical take-off and landing drones to fly farther with a single charge, and allow for new use cases to enable the commercial UAV of the future.

Rivieh

Rivieh is a smart living platform specifically designed for rental businesses. Their solution enables these businesses to offer tenants all the appeal of smart home tech minus the complexity and confusion.

Veloce Energy

Veloce Energy is developing technology to create intelligent, flexible, scalable grid edge energy networks. This IP creates solutions that address key barriers in EV charging infrastructure, distribution grid upgrades, and distributed generation connection. The first focused application is cost reduction in EV charging stations, by combining energy storage, intelligence, and streamlined installation systems with existing charger products. The second application focus is deferral or elimination of distribution grid upgrades.

Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena Utilities Join the Transportation Electrification Partnership

Posted on September 3, 2020 by - Uncategorized, N-News, Blog, Home Featured, News Featured

LACI is pleased to announce that the local utilities for the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena have joined the Transportation Electrification Partnership (TEP) as part of the Advisory Group. The Partnership now includes over 30 members who have committed to working individually and collectively to achieve an additional 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by the time Los Angeles welcomes the 2028 Olympics.

“We appreciate LACI’s interest in involving local electric utilities, like Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena Water and Power,” said Pasadena Water and Power Electrification Program Manager Mauricio Mejia. “No doubt this partnership will help to advance the adoption of transportation electrification and zero emission good movements in the Los Angeles region.”

Burbank Water and Power (BWP) electrical engineering associate Drew Kidd stated, “BWP is excited to join LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership and champion the adoption of electric vehicles and help clean the air in the Greater LA region. The City of Burbank is committed to reducing greenhouse gases and improving the air quality for Burbank and surrounding communities.”

“BWP’s transportation electrification program team looks forward to engaging with the innovative members of the Partnership to make a tangible difference in the quality of our environment,” Kidd said.

“Glendale is looking forward to being involved with LACI’s Transportation Electrification Partnership’s advisory group,” said Glendale Water & Power General Manager Stephen M. Zurn.

“Our involvement will offer an opportunity for our City to demonstrate government leadership toward advancing EV infrastructure and increased EV integration in our surrounding communities. Glendale recognizes that the electrification of transportation is a crucial strategy towards achieving improved air quality and climate goals both locally and statewide. Glendale is eager to collaborate with the advisory team in achieving air quality and climate goals.”

The Partnership, alongside a coalition of 50 other organizations from 15 states, recently sent a letter to Congressional leaders asking for commitment to federal transportation electrification stimulus funding. The federal stimulus proposal of $150 billion would invest in zero emissions infrastructure that could create 2.3 million new jobs across the U.S., restart the economy, and ensure cleaner air.

“LACI is excited to work with these municipal utilities to advance the Partnership’s transportation electrification and zero emissions goods movement goals, as outlined in TEP’s Zero Emissions 2028 Roadmap,” said Matt Petersen, chair of TEP and CEO of LACI.