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Review Rocket Fund 2025 Guidelines for eligibility, scope, technologies, and tips for applying.
Also, check out the podcast "Lab to Startup" featuring Rocket Fund, where Stephanie Yanchinski, the Resnick Sustainability Institute's Director of Entrepreneurial Programs, shares information about the Rocket Fund program, some priority areas for funding, and the process.
Diversity and Inclusion: In 2021 the Rocket Fund established a commitment to strengthening diversity and female leadership as well as to spreading the benefits of cleantech and sustainability to underserved communities. A significant portion of the scoring during the competition will address this challenge. Please ensure you describe fully the factors that show your company's commitment to diversity and inclusivity: e.g. current leadership profile, new recruitment policies and initiatives, technology impact and potential job creation with widespread product adoption, and corporate strategic considerations that indicate you are considering how to enhance your approach to this challenge.
The program opens October 18, 2024. Deadline to apply: 11.59 PM, March 3, 2025. Apply here.
- Round 1: Application Deadline: 11.59 PM, March 3, 2025; Initial Screening | March 4 – March 14, 2025
- Round 2: Semi-Finals | April 25
- Selected semi-finalists reviewed by the Rocket Fund Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) of industry, technical and business experts and investors
- TAC meets, finalists selected with special reference to: technology innovation with validating data and its impact on potential markets; understanding of beachhead (Serviceable Obtainable Market) market and path to commercialization; customer interaction that sets your business direction; solid metrics for measuring impact e.g. on energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, carbon decarbonization and sequestration; impact on diversity, leadership and community, and use of funds with customer or "gold standard" demonstration site
- Round 3: Finals | June 2, 8.30 am - 12.30 pm; June 3, 8.30 am - 12.30 pm
- Team presentations (virtual) to Review Panel of utility and industry experts, academics, and investors
Award Process: June: Establish Performance Agreement and Milestones; July: receive grant