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Beyond the Next Era of Energy to Real Zero™

Work with the first company in the world committed to moving past net zero all the way to Real Zero™. One or more winners will be selected to receive up to $300,000 in non-dilutive funding to deploy a project in partnership with NextEra Energy, as well as a potential convertible note investment through NextEra Energy's venture capital group.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

What is NextEra Energy looking for

Real Zero™ Solutions

NextEra Energy is seeking startups providing software and/or software-enabled hardware solutions to help them lead the way in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. These solutions will help NextEra Energy’s customers, from residential to large commercial and industrial energy consumers, share NextEra Energy’s vision of a sustainable, carbon-free future.

The solutions that excite NextEra Energy the most have the potential to transform and disrupt their business while supporting their goal towards decarbonization. NextEra Energy is primarily seeking digitally-driven solutions in areas such as, but not limited to, microgrids, building efficiency upgrades, EV charging, behind-the-meter commercial and residential support, eVTOL, and marine EVs. Solutions beyond these interests are welcome and encouraged. The judges are thirsty for innovative ideas that will improve NextEra Energy’s business and industry to help reach Real Zero together.

What You Could Win

___ Up to $300k funded pilot



Up to $300,000 in non-dilutive funding to pilot your technology with NextEra Energy with the goal of scaling your pilot into a commercial deployment.

___ Up to $50k investment



Up to $50k in a convertible note, which converts to equity upon a qualified financing.

___ Direct Collaboration



Leverage NextEra Energy’s deep industry expertise to implement your solution.

Eligibility Criteria

At minimum, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Have at least two full-time employees
  • Have an operating prototype
  • Be registered in the United States
  • Minimally demonstrate ability to calculate return on investment for NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy is not seeking project developers selling third-party products, companies without an operating prototype, consulting firms, marketing or public relations agencies, or acquired startups.

Meet the Judges

Josh Millar Headshot

Josh Millar

Senior Director of Innovation, Data & Enterprise Architecture, Florida Power & Light 

Josh Millar is the Senior Director of Innovation, Data & Enterprise Architecture in IT. He is responsible for a spectrum of shared services that support other IT organizations and the business to foster reuse and technical excellence, leverage data and artificial intelligence, and embrace industry and technology disruption with digital factories, mobile-first development, and innovative digital business models.

Crystal Stiles

Executive Director, Distributed Technologies and Mobility, Florida Power & Light Development

Crystal leads DT&M functions that enhance programs and offerings for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) customers. Under her leadership, DT&M is building FPL EVolution, a robust electric vehicle (EV) public charging network in Florida and will operate new businesses in fleet electrification and residential charging. She also oversees microgrids and evaluates new and emerging technologies to better meet customer needs.

Enrique Ruiz

Senior Director, NextEra Energy Investments LLC

Enrique Ruiz is the Senior Director for NextEra Energy Investments, where he co-leads origination, evaluation, and execution of NextEra Energy’s venture capital investments in climate and clean tech companies.  Before joining NextEra, Enrique led early-stage venture investment, incubation, and strategy efforts in various roles at the AES Corporation, McKinsey & Company, and General Electric.

Timeline

September 7, 2022

September 7, 2022

Application window opens

September 26, 2022

September 26, 2022

Live Q&A session
3:00pm ET

Watch the recording

October 4, 2022

October 4, 2022

Application deadline
11:59pm ET

October 19, 2022

October 19, 2022

Finalists notified

November 4, 2022

November 4, 2022

In-person pitch event / Winners announced
Juno Beach, Florida

January - March 2023

January - March 2023

Co-create pilot scope of work

December 31, 2023

December 31, 2023

Projects and all final deliverables must be completed before December 31, 2023

The Fine Print

  • Pilot funding is distributed directly to the winning startup(s) in two milestones: 50% upon execution of a commercial agreement between NextEra Energy and your company and 50% upon project completion.
  • Finalist travel expenses to the live pitch event in Juno Beach, FL will be covered by NextEra Energy.
  • This challenge is being hosted by Elemental Excelerator in collaboration with NextEra Energy and is unrelated to Elemental’s Cohort 12 application process. If you are interested in applying to Cohort 12, please let us know here!

Questions

Please contact RealZeroChallenge@elementalexcelerator.com.

If you missed our Live Q&A session, you can access the recording here.

About NextEra Energy

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light Company, which is America’s largest electric utility that sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to approximately 5.8 million customer accounts, or more than 12 million people across Florida. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage.

Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from seven commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune’s 2022 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” recognized on Fortune’s 2021 list of companies that “Change the World” and received the S&P Global Platts 2020 Energy Transition Award for leadership in environmental, social, and governance. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com

NextEra Energy logo

There's More!

We are currently accepting applications for this challenge and two more! Click the link below to learn more about our other challenges with Amazon and New Zealand's Ara Ake.