Partner Profile: DENSO

Why EEx:

“The Energy Excelerator is unique because it enables startup companies that can help solve tomorrow’s energy and transportation challenges vet their technologies in a real-world test bed through this program,” said Tony Cannestra, director of Corporate Ventures at DENSO International America. “In addition to DENSO’s extensive internal R&D efforts, DENSO is also very committed to fostering and supporting external innovation in key areas such as transportation and energy efficiency.”

DENSO Profile:

Global automotive supplier | densocorp-na.com | facebook.com/DENSOinNorthAmerica

Global headquarters: Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan
Established: December 16, 1949
Size: 140,000 employees; operates in 35 countries and regions
Industry: Transportation
(as of March 2014)

The partnership:

A seat on the Energy Excelerator Strategic Advisory Board: Along with the other Energy Excelerator partners, DENSO will help identify challenges within the energy-transportation nexus. Those challenges will guide the selection of startups we choose for the 2016 cohort.

First look at the newest innovations in transportation and energy: Each year the Energy Excelerator receives over 250 applications from the newest innovations in energy and transportation.

Project partners with Energy Excelerator cohort companies: The Energy Excelerator provides up to $1M to fund demonstration projects in Hawaii’s real-world test bed. Companies on the demonstration track partner with organizations in Hawaii and abroad to vet technologies before scaling them to other markets.

Read about it in Cleantechnica & Pacific Business News.