IMPEL+ New 2021 Virtual Program

October 27, 2020

IMPEL+ Image Applications are now open for building and energy technology scientists and innovators to participate in a unique incubator that helps propel your ideas to market. While millions of dollars are spent for R&D and small businesses for energy technologies, only a portion of these reach users and create value.

The Incubating Market-Propelled Entrepreneurial-mindset at the Labs (IMPEL) is a distinct professional development program funded by the Building Technologies Office (BTO), within the Department of Energy’s (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and implemented by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). The goal is to focus early stage buildings innovations and programs on market gaps, and catalyze them towards public and private sector engagement and impact. 

First launched in 2019, the IMPEL program brought together five Lab innovation teams from various DOE National Labs to participate in the new program. In 2020, the program expanded to IMPEL+, i.e. beyond the national labs, and enabled seventy building innovators to gain critical buildings and energy technology-to-market skills.  Selected innovators will present their pitches at two premiere DOE-IMPEL National Showcase events in November. 

At the core of the IMPEL program are fully-funded pitch coaching workshops. Expert Silicon Valley Coaches provide dynamic guidance to Innovators using real-time tailored exercises, interactive on-camera training, and live professional critique. 

“IMPEL Innovators develop a critical skill-set to create compelling pitches for their important stakeholders, and a mindset to define an entrepreneurial roadmap to drive their buildings and energy projects to market,” said Reshma Singh, IMPEL Program Director.  “The program is also a fantastic opportunity to find and grow your tribe of high quality, public and private innovators and leaders in the buildings and energy space.”

IMPEL Innovators have successfully won grants and awards, kick-off project demonstrations, and have gained national and international recognition.

This year, IMPEL+ is once again expanding its program with twin pipelines supporting Innovators beyond the pitch coaching workshops. IMPEL+ Innovators seeking private sector engagement will be eligible for national pitch events, learning engagements and network connections with leading incubators, GreenTown Labs, the largest climate tech startup incubator in North America, and the Austin Technology Incubator, the longest active technology incubator in the United States. Those seeking public sector grants and funding will be eligible to present at the IMPEL National Showcases at DOE’s EERE partner events.

 

Join the 2021 IMPEL+  kick-off webinar on October 30, 2020 from 12pm to 1pm.

Meet the DOE-Berkeley Lab team, the expert coaches from Stanford and Haas Business School and collaborating incubators Greentown Labs and Austin Technology Incubator and hear from a panel of successful 2020 IMPEL+Innovators, and application guidance.

Webinar Link: lbnl.zoom.us/j/94369950570?pwd=anNmMzBlcUd1aDNsV3ZERkhwR1Bodz09

Passcode: 819684

 

IMPEL+ buildings innovation pitch-training virtual workshops will be held on:

  • December 2, 2020 (Application deadline: November 9, 2020)

  • February 5, 2021 (Application deadline: January 6, 2021)

  • March 12, 2021 (Application deadline: February 10, 2021)

Find out more at impel.lbl.gov