The next generation of clean energy innovation took center stage in Downtown Brooklyn as entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, and members of the city’s climate tech ecosystem gathered for the Make It in Brooklyn Renewable Energy Pitch Contest.
Our judges, left to right: Matt Pfeiffer, Austin Evarts, Isabelle Branco-Lo, Joe Silver
Hosted by Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP), the event marked the launch of a new collaboration with National Grid to support emerging clean technology companies through the Make It in Brooklyn initiative. Opening the evening, Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, and Imran Ansari, National Grid’s Downstate New York Economic Development Lead Representative, spoke about the importance of investing in entrepreneurs developing solutions for a cleaner, more resilient energy future. The contest is the first initiative supported through National Grid’s Clean Tech Incubator Grant to help accelerate clean technology startups with funding and commercialization support.
Emcee Farès Kammourieh of Newlab set the stage by reminding the audience that no single technology will solve the energy transition. Instead, he said, progress will come from many different innovations working together—and from the partnerships that help founders bring those ideas to market.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership president Regina Myer speaks to the audience
The five finalists reflected that broad vision for the future of clean energy. Accord Power pitched a monitoring platform that helps battery storage systems meet New York City’s fire safety requirements, removing a key barrier to wider deployment. Etherion Fuels showcased a renewable biodiesel designed to deliver cleaner transportation without sacrificing cold-weather performance.
Novara Tech presented technology that recovers reusable fiberglass from retired wind turbine blades, keeping renewable energy infrastructure out of landfills. Luxergy introduced a modular heat engine capable of generating electricity from clean heat sources including geothermal, nuclear, and thermal storage. Kaanya (formerly UrbanEx) demonstrated an AI-powered platform that helps solar developers identify permitting, grid, and site risks earlier, speeding up project development.
Audience members gather and network before the Pitch Contest
After the pitches and questions from judges Joe Silver, NineDot Energy; Isabelle Branco-Lo, NYSERDA; Austin Evarts, Urban Future Labs; and Matt Pfeiffer, Vycarb, Accord Power was selected as the winner. The judges praised the company’s solution to a uniquely New York challenge, recognizing its potential to help accelerate battery storage deployment by addressing a critical permitting bottleneck.
Accord Power received $5,000 in cash from the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, along with up to $5,000 in commercialization support through DBP’s partnership with National Grid.
Judges and finalists gather around winner Accord Power
Make It in Brooklyn is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting Brooklyn’s innovation ecosystem through its series of pitch contests, meet-ups, and panels. These initiatives have united hundreds of entrepreneurs and provided over $100K in seed funding, along with invaluable pro-bono professional services.
The competition was made possible by the generous support of sponsor National Grid, NYU Tandon School of Engineering and event venue, WC Art and IPRC.
