Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW), in partnership with Temple University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), has launched The Energy Innovation Lab, a small business incubator designed to empower energy entrepreneurs whose product or service ideas have the potential to reimagine the future of the energy industry, increase energy efficiency and affordability, and help PGW and the City meet their 2050 climate action goals.
The goal of the incubator is to leverage the creativity and diversity of the entrepreneurial community to develop environmentally friendly concepts that meet evolving energy needs for Philadelphia residents, underserved communities, and businesses. The chosen entrepreneur(s) will receive hands-on training, mentoring, and real-time feedback from PGW energy industry experts and SBDC business development consultants.
The application period opened on July 20, 2021 and applications will be accepted through September 17, 2021. The selected energy entrepreneur(s) will receive comprehensive entrepreneurship support services for the duration of the two-year program, as well as a stipend of up to $30,000.
A knowledgeable panel of judges will oversee a two-round selection process during which applicants’ proposals will be evaluated and ranked based on viability; alignment with PGW’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for all by delivering safe, reliable, affordable energy in an environmentally responsible way; and increasing energy access for low-income customers. The volunteer judges are representatives from Philadelphia’s leading energy, innovation, and start-up development organizations, including:
- The City of Philadelphia
- Comcast
- The Philadelphia Foundation
- University City Science Center
- Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners
- NextFab
- PGW
- Temple University
For more information and to apply: incubator.pgworks.com/