Apply if you’re an entrepreneur building an innovative company
We’re on a mission with the U.S. Bank Foundation to support underserved and underrepresented cleantech entrepreneurs.
The U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award is a grant awarded to entrepreneurs who are female and/or people of color and who are building innovative companies that benefit the environment, create jobs, and drive economic development.
Recipients of the Cleantech Inclusion Award receive a non-recourse grant of $25,000, 12-months of business mentorship from U.S. Bank Foundation and Evergreen Climate Innovations, and heightened exposure to both investors and potential customers.
As of March 7, 2022, we are no longer accepting applications for the 2022 award cycle.
Award Application Criteria
Founder:
Company must have at least one company founder who identifies as female or a person of color
Eligible Geographies:
Companies headquartered in the following states are eligible:
Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Company Criteria:
- Company must be legally incorporated
- Company employment must be within the range of 2-12 full-time employees
- Company must not have raised greater than $3 million from external investors
- Company must own or have a valid license to relevant IP
- Preferred: Companies with a market-ready product or service
- Preferred: Service provides positive social impact and has the potential to benefit disadvantaged communities
Sector:
Eligible founders must have a product or service that mitigates harmful emissions, reduces carbon, or otherwise positively impacts the environment. Eligible sectors include renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart buildings/cities, energy storage, mobility/advanced transportation, and environmental product/ service innovation.
Additional Qualities:
While not explicitly required, other beneficial qualifications include:
- Company is revenue-generating
If you have any questions, please email Senior Program Manager Dylan O’Reilly at dylan@evergreeninno.org.
Congratulations to our 2021 winner, Rebundle!
Our 2021 U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award winner was Rebundle. Rebundle is a black woman-owned startup that manufactures a plant-based alternative to synthetic braiding hair.
“Rebundle is proud to be the 2021 U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award recipient. With our pre-orders selling out twice, and excitement around our product growing, Rebundle is eager to work with Evergreen Climate Innovations and U.S. Bank to continue our steady, sustainable growth while remaining focused on our mission.”
Ready for investment and support?
Your climate tech startup may be eligible.