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The details below are meant to inform you about our application process and help you submit a competitive application. Apply before April 16.

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energy accelerator startup participants outside in hawaii

Which track is right for you?

What are the deal points?

We invest:

$500,000USD

For this investment, we use a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) or warrant donation, and funding is tied to agreed upon deployment milestones.

About the Project Track

Through the Project Track, we help buy down the risk of trying something new that will be transformational for your company. We want to fund a new piece of technology, a new angle on your business model, and/or technology deployment in Hawai‘i or California’s frontline communities. We will structure deployments under a 50-50 cost-share model.

Our Directors of Innovation work closely with companies to supercharge your network and accelerate impact through stakeholder introductions, community engagement, project management support, and Equity & Access work. Projects must be deployed in 16-months.

Geography

Projects should be deployed in Hawaiʻi or frontline communities in California.

General Stage Guidelines

  • Series A and beyond
  • At least 1 paying customer
  • At least 1 full-time project manager

What does an average company look like?

Team size

22

Revenue

$916,000

Capital Raised

$11,000,000

What are the deal points?

We invest:

$300,000USD

For this investment, we use a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”) or Convertible Note, and funding is tied to two agreed upon deployment milestones.

What are the program elements?

Elemental will play a lighter role in project and stakeholder support than we do for our Project Track. Projects must be deployed in 16-months and will include an Equity & Access component that speaks to the history and culture of each place. We will structure deployments under a 50-50 cost-share model.

Geography

Projects can be deployed anywhere around the world.

General Stage Guidelines

  • Series B and beyond
  • At least 5 paying customers
  • At least 1 full-time project manager
  • Active in at least 2 geographic markets

What are the deal points?

We invest:

$200,000USD

For this investment, we request that companies make warrant donations in exchange for services. Funding is milestone-based and will be deployed as the coaching modules are completed.

About the Strategy Track

Through the Strategy Track, we invest in startups that are interested in custom support to address core strategy in the areas of market intelligence, sales & growth, operational scale-up, messaging, fundraising, and Equity & Access strategy.

Elemental connects companies’ CEOs and executives with coaches and curriculum to help them develop strategies for faster scale. This is a 9-month program and we expect active participation from the CEO and one additional executive team member. This funding is designed to support companies in the development and execution of those strategies.

Geography

Companies can be located and seeking to grow in any market around the world.

General Stage Guidelines

  • Any stage
  • At least 2 full-time employees
  • A minimum of an operating prototype

What does the average company look like?

Team Size

5

Annual Revenue

$103,000

Outside Funding

$722,000

For our next cohort, we’re seeking technologies in these sectors:

Solutions:

  • Energy technology at the nexus of other sectors 
  • Robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning
  • Fintech
  • Resilience
  • Hydrogen
  • HVAC
  • Democratization of energy
  • Asset management tools that easily integrate with and optimize current systems
  • Manufacturing, commercials and industrial energy solutions
  • Electrification of everything
  • Cybersecurity 
  • Infrastructure
Nneka Uzoh Headshot

As the world transitions to cleaner energy and renewables become both cheaper and better than fossil fuels, we need to invest in the next level of innovations that democratize energy, optimize current energy systems, and support the electrification of built and rural environments across the globe. We are looking forward to finding some of the most impactful technologies that will lead us to an integrated energy decarbonization roadmap and a more sustainable future.

 

Nneka Uzoh, Director of Innovation - Energy

Solutions:

  • Affordable, appealing, and reliable mobility options for those most in need – disabled, seniors and frontline communities
  • Increased convenience, appeal and access to electric transportation for commercial fleet operators
  • Technologies that unlock new revenue models for cities
  • Reduced emissions in heavy freight, shipping, logistics, and air travel
  • New data insights to improve cities’ operational and resource efficiency 
  • Enhanced roadway infrastructure safety, resiliency and disaster planning

As we reach new heights of mobility innovation, we are excited to see how companies are building business models and strategies to encourage mass adoption of electric fleets, slash emissions from freight and aviation, and deliver new revenue streams to cities buckling under the weight of the pandemic. The future of movement will be driven by the alignment of technology and mission, and we are looking for entrepreneurs with a deep understanding of the need to accelerate a just transition to clean, equitable mobility systems.

 

 

Danielle Harris, Director of Innovation - Mobility

Solutions:

  • Soil health and carbon sequestration technologies
  • Alternative protein, dairy, and feed
  • Traceability and supply chain efficiency
  • Aquaculture, particularly seaweed and algae solutions
  • Solutions that reduce energy, fertilizers,  pesticidesand water use
  • Indoor agriculture – greenhouse, vertical and modular systems
Danya

The inefficiency and fragmentation of our global food system have been starkly illuminated over the past year. To build resilience, we need to deliver better tools to help farmers produce more with less while continuing their stewardship of the land. Given the growing inequity in communities across the world, we’re especially interested in solutions that increase access to food, tools, land, and resources for frontline communities and farmers. As we work to curb the climate impacts of feeding a growing population, we’re also looking for regenerative solutions needed to help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

 

Danya Hakeem, Director of Innovation - Agriculture & Circular Economy

Solutions:

  • Emerging contaminants – pfas! pharma, microplastics 
  • Stormwater management and flood resiliency solutions 
  • Water resource recovery 
  • Digital solutions
  • Industrial treatment applications
  • Energy efficiency in operating processes
  • Membrane optimization 
  • Pipeline health
  • The nexus areas with water: agriculture, energy, circular economy  
  • Decentralized treatment 
  • Water financial products 
  • Water recycling and reuse 

In the last year, inequities around access to clean, safe water have become even more pronounced while our critical water systems continue to be tested by emerging contaminants, aging infrastructure, and climate-related stresses. At the same time, we’ve seen just how resilient the sector can be. Moving forward, there is a real opportunity for the next generation of technologies to demystify water and provide a holistic understanding of how people, companies, and cities can collaborate to become better water stewards.

 

Kim Baker, Director of Innovation - Water

Solutions:

  • Carbon capture, utilization & storage
  • Green materials, chemicals and packaging
  • Supply Chain Transparency, responsible sourcing and data collection 
  • Waste to value solutions
  • Resource recovery and reuse
  • Solutions that create good quality, local jobs for people who live in frontline communities
  • Manufacturing startups interested in ‘Equity IN’ projects to establish diverse hiring, inclusion & retention, and responsible supply chain practices       
Danya

The circular economy is a broad umbrella — covering everything from carbon capture and utilization to innovative reuse models — but driving it all is the idea that we need to abandon the linear, extractive model and reconceptualize how we treat resources. Entrepreneurs are transforming the way we make materials, chemicals, clothing, buildings, and everything else in our daily lives to be less climate-intensive. I’m particularly excited to see how both nature-based and technological solutions can improve our existing systems and reach the scale needed to break the ‘take, make, waste’ model for good.

 

 

Danya Hakeem, Director of Innovation - Agriculture & Circular Economy

We do not fund:

  • Project Developers (solar, wind, storage, etc.) selling third party products
  • Consulting firms
  • Marketing or PR agencies
  • Nonprofits
  • Acquired startups
  • Startups without a prototype 
  • Companies with fewer than two full-time team members

Know a company that would be a great fit?

Refer a Company >

What does the application process look like?

March 24 (early-bird deadline)

April 16 at 5:00 pm PT (final deadline)

Round 1: Qualifying App

This is the first step of our application process, we estimate that it will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. We will ask for:

  • Company information including technology stage, funding stage & amount, team information and more.
  • Materials including standard pitch deck and technical summary with a visual of your technology

May – June

Round 2: Documentation and Elemental Proposal

At this stage in the application process we want to dig into technical and financial details and learn more about how we can support your company’s success. We will ask for:

  • Customer list, questions about your certifications and IP, capitalization table, balance sheets, income statement, cashflows, and financial projects.
  • For Project Track we will ask you to submit details about your proposed project, including project description and ideal outcome, project partners and the status of their commitment to your project, budget, and timeline. 
  • For Global Track: In addition to the above, we will ask you to submit a non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI) to demonstrate interest by a cost-share partner.

June – July

Round 3: Interviews and Reference Checks

In the final step of our application process, we find it incredibly valuable to meet with executive teams. This is where we get to talk through what the engagement would look like for you and how we would work together to support our collective missions.

July- September

Acceptances & Onboarding

October

Kickoff Week

We’ll spend the week introducing you to the Elemental team, your cohort, and our partners through workshops and facilitated discussions. During this period, we will work on further defining the Scope of Work for your project or achieving your Strategy Track objectives.

March 24 (early-bird deadline)

April 16 at 5:00 pm PT (final deadline)

Round 1: Qualifying App

This is the first step of our application process, we estimate that it will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. We will ask for:

  • Company information including technology stage, funding stage & amount, team information and more.
  • Materials including standard pitch deck and technical summary with a visual of your technology

May – June

Round 2: Documentation and Elemental Proposal

At this stage in the application process we want to dig into technical and financial details and learn more about how we can support your company’s success. We will ask for:

  • Customer list, questions about your certifications and IP, capitalization table, balance sheets, income statement, cashflows, and financial projects.
  • For Project Track we will ask you to submit details about your proposed project, including project description and ideal outcome, project partners and the status of their commitment to your project, budget, and timeline. 
  • For Global Track: In addition to the above, we will ask you to submit a non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI) to demonstrate interest by a cost-share partner.

June – July

Round 3: Interviews and Reference Checks

In the final step of our application process, we find it incredibly valuable to meet with executive teams. This is where we get to talk through what the engagement would look like for you and how we would work together to support our collective missions.

July- September

Acceptances & Onboarding

October

Kickoff Week

We’ll spend the week introducing you to the Elemental team, your cohort, and our partners through workshops and facilitated discussions. During this period, we will work on further defining the Scope of Work for your project or achieving your Strategy Track objectives.

March 24 (early-bird deadline)

April 16 at 5:00 pm PT (final deadline)

Round 1: Qualifying App

This is the first step of our application process, we estimate that it will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. We will ask for:

  • Company information including technology stage, funding stage & amount, team information and more.
  • Materials including standard pitch deck and technical summary with a visual of your technology

May – June

Round 2: Documentation and Elemental Proposal

At this stage in the application process we want to dig into technical and financial details and learn more about how we can support your company’s success. We will ask for:

  • Customer list, questions about your certifications and IP, capitalization table, balance sheets, income statement, cashflows, and financial projects.
  • For Project Track we will ask you to submit details about your proposed project, including project description and ideal outcome, project partners and the status of their commitment to your project, budget, and timeline. 
  • For Global Track: In addition to the above, we will ask you to submit a non-binding Letter of Interest (LOI) to demonstrate interest by a cost-share partner.

June – July

Round 3: Interviews and Reference Checks

In the final step of our application process, we find it incredibly valuable to meet with executive teams. This is where we get to talk through what the engagement would look like for you and how we would work together to support our collective missions.

July- September

Acceptances & Onboarding

October

Kickoff Week

We’ll spend the week introducing you to the Elemental team, your cohort, and our partners through workshops and facilitated discussions. During this period, we will work on further defining the Scope of Work for your project or achieving your Strategy Track objectives.

Cohort 10 Timeline

Fall 2021
Winter 2022
Spring 2022
...and beyond
Strategy Track
Onboarding + Contracting
Strategy Modules
(9-month program)
Alumni
Project & Global Tracks
Onboarding + Contracting
Project Finalization; Execution; Closeout
(Projects must be deployed in 16-months)
Alumni
All Cohort CEOs and at least one other full-time team member will be required to participate in all three elements for the first year of the program. After completing the program, we ask that you participate in one or two of the elements in the following years to continue building relationships among companies and partners, share your learnings, and seek new opportunities within our ecosystem.
Core Program Elements
October
2021

Kickoff Week
February
2022

CxO Summit
May
2022

Interactive
Kickoff Week
We'll spend the week introducing you to the Elemental team, your cohort, and our partners through workshops and facilitated discussions. During this period, we will work on further defining the Scope of Work for your project or achieving your Strategy Track objectives.
CxO Summit
This element fosters relationships with CxOs across sectors, stages, and Elemental cohorts. Our goal is to foster an environment in which 100+ leadership teams can share knowledge, collaborate, and accelerate individual growth and collective impact. Alumni companies are encouraged to attend digital and in-person events to create cross-cohort relationships and opportunities for collaboration.
Interactive
Interactive is our annual investor-focused event where we'll introduce you to investors, corporates, and strategic partners. All Cohort company CEOs will be given an opportunity to speak to an audience of 250+ investors and corporates.

Interested in applying to Elemental Excelerator?

Stay In Touch

Advice from Elemental Portfolio Companies

Cody-Friesen-Zero-Mass-Water-at tech accelerator speaking into microphone with team

“When we think about the work we did with Elemental, it’s really evidencing something that is furthering a fundamental transformation in water. In Western Australia, we’ve partnered with an aboriginal group to install a large array, a thousand-panel array of SOURCE panels that will produce bulk quantities of water that is still the same quality as luxury bottled water in places where we’re able to now produce water that otherwise would have to be shipped in at great cost and lots of CO2 footprint in single-use plastics.”

 

Cody Friesen, CEO of SOURCE Global

“Two days ago, we were sitting in a small group with some of the members of the cohort and we were talking about some business challenges. And immediately, one of the Elemental staff said, “Let’s have a meeting right now to try to figure out your problem.” And one of the other CEOs said, “What can I do to help?” And it was just this moment of crystallization of why this program is so special.”

 

Steph Speirs, cofounder and CEO Solstice

“Ah, the people are amazing. It almost intimidates you to silence how talented and passionate and committed and how brilliant the solutions are.”

 

Donnel Baird, CEO of BlocPower

miranda-biocellection-novoloop

“With Elemental, what I really like is the focus on equity and access and the really well-developed curriculum that will help guide us and help us focus on what’s important when we’re exploring and working with relevant partners.”

 

Miranda Wang, CEO of Novoloop

Applicant Webinars

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2021 | Elemental Live: Cohort 10 Application Process

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2021 | Elemental Live: Partner Ecosystem

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Private: 2021 | Elemental Live: Which track is right for you

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Private: 2021 | Elemental Live: What it means to be an Elemental Portfolio Company

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Private: 2021 | Elemental Live: Join Elemental’s Cohort 10 — Applications Now Open!

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2020 |Elemental Live: Partner Ecosystem

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2020 | Elemental Live: Investor Deck & Outreach Strategy

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2020 | Elemental Live: How to Engage Water Utilities

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2020 | Elemental Live: IP Strategy as Business Strategy