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In this Issue: | WET Member Highlight: ConserWater Technologies | In the News | Team Member Highlight: Grace Manly | Upcoming Events & Webinars | Funding & Other Opportunities | Did You Know?
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Opcondys, a BTV venture and CEO Crash Course alumni, awarded almost $3M in grants to develop power converter
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Generating electricity continues to be the fastest growing form of end-use energy. Most of today's power electronics are limited in their performance, temperature resilience, and size due to the circuit topology and semiconductor power devices used – this is where Opcondys, Inc. thrives.
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Opcondys, Inc. recently received an ARPA-E Award of nearly $3M that is helping them develop a high-voltage power converter design for energy storage systems connected directly to the power grid. The converter design uses a modified switched multiplier topology that will allow connection to utility transmission lines without the intervening step-up transformers.
Opcondys, Inc. was also one of the first recipients of a CalSEED grant in 2017, earning a $150,000 grant that helped accelerate the development of the Opticondistor, a product designed to improve energy efficiency in electric power applications.
How did this success story begin?
Opcondys began their journey with BlueTechValley by participating in a Technology Innovation Evaluation (TIE) in December 2016. They also attended the 2018 CEO Crash Course, which offered entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop concrete ways to advance their venture including marketing, human resources, funding, and business model development.
“Looking back over the last three years from when we first were involved with BlueTechValley and pitched at the Central Valley Innovation Forum, we've since received grant funding that has allowed us to develop our technology,” said Kristin Sampayan, CEO of Opcondys, Inc.
She added that the “BlueTechValley Plan has helped us to see how we have progressed as our business has developed and it's helped us to think about all of the aspects that are involved in bringing a product to market -- not just the technology -- but the financing and marketing as well.”
Sampayan said that Opcondys, Inc. looks forward to what the future has in store. They are especially excited to see the future potential impacts of their high-voltage power converter design and how it will affect the security of the electrical grid, the environment, and the economy.
To learn more about the ARPA-E Award, click here.
To learn more about Opcondys, Inc., click here.
Do not miss these amazing funding opportunities! The CA Clean Energy Fund will begin taking applications on March 1, 2019 for the California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development (CalSEED) Concept Award. CalSEED offers funding for high potential entrepreneurs who are passionate about clean energy and working on very early-stage new energy ideas.
Open to individuals or organizations with an early-stage energy innovation, awardees will gain access to an ecosystem of resources, tools and networks that advance their professional development. We encourage those who have applied in the past, as well as new applicants, to apply.
FLOW's Rocket Fund is a granting pool that helps academic and garage innovators turn their technologies into commercial realities through financial support and entrepreneurial education. This exclusive program of the Resnick Sustainability Institute at Caltech is dedicated to supporting the cutting-edge research and creative problem solving necessary to change the balance of the world's sustainability.
Want more information on the application processes? Join CalSEED and FLOW's Rocket Fund staff and partners for a short workshop/webinar on how you can apply for funding.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State
Register for the Workshop Here!
Register for the Webinar Here!
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WET Member Highlight: ConserWater Technologies |
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We are excited to feature ConserWater Technologies in this month’s WET Member highlight. Since collaborating with BlueTechValley, ConserWater has grown exponentially through corporate and core product development.
“BlueTechValley has helped us by connecting us to the ecosystem of ag startups in the Central Valley,” said Aadith Moorthy, founder and CEO of ConserWater Technologies.
ConserWater began its journey in late 2015 when they decided to use their technical skills to bring innovative technologies to communities. Encounters with Indian villages that were suffering from severe drought convinced ConserWater that water security was the secret to improving farmer’s lives.
Since then, ConserWater’s partnership with the BTV Valley Ventures accelerator has helped the company follow their mission of helping farmers grow healthy crops using fewer resources.
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“Valley Ventures has helped us with understanding exactly how to bring our products to the California farmer,” said Moorthy. “Since partnering with Valley Ventures, we have been strongly developing both our corporate partnerships and our core products.”
He explained that ConserWater now produces daily AI-generated soil moisture maps that provide farmers with the level of information they would get if they placed a soil moisture sensor every 10 feet on their farm, but without any of the hardware.
Moorthy added that “on the partnership side, ConserWater is now closely working with the two largest drip irrigation companies in the world, one of the largest telecom companies in the world, Stanford University, and several other new partners on our mission to help every farm grow more healthy crops with fewer resources.”
Click here to learn more about ConserWater Technologies.
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In the News
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| Report reveals innovative sustainable agriculture measures from tech startups |
Funding your farm: how to apply for farm grants |
Market potential index 2018 |
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Village Capital, a Washington, D.C.-based manager of an agriculture accelerator program, and QBE North America, a New York-based integrated specialist insurer, released a report on entrepreneurs innovating around sustainable food and agriculture practices.
Click here to read more.
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For many people, the biggest roadblock to starting a farm is funding. It may be tempting to turn to a high-interest bank loan to get started, especially if you do not know what your other options are. The key to solving this problem is having a sound financial plan and carefully exploring all of your options.
Click here for helpful tips on the application process.
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GlobalEdge at Michigan State University annually releases data on the most promising international markets. The purpose of the MPI is to rank, with a U.S. focus, the market potential of the largest economies and to provide guidance to the U.S. companies that plan to expand their markets internationally.
Click here to learn more.
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Valley agriculture and environmental experts discuss potential water exchange program
Agricultural and environmental leaders spoke at the Water Market Exchange Symposium on February 24 in Fresno, where they shared their perspectives on a water market exchange program. The symposium featured speakers from water agencies, environmental interests, disadvantaged community interests, and water market administrators.
Click here to learn more.
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Team Member Highlight: Grace Manly |
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We are excited to highlight Grace Manly who is the BlueTechValley Client Coordinator for the Technology Innovation Evaluation (TIE) program at Fresno State. Since May 2018, Manly has managed TIE inquiries, coordinated TIE meetings, and updated BTV plans that chart a course for a venture’s development. She assists in tracking metrics, individual venture progress and programming and planning for the BTV Valley Ventures accelerator workshops and the CEO Crash Course Program.
“The last project I worked on was our Ambassador Outreach Program,” Manly said. “The program works to connect with ventures in more than 39 counties, while also connecting them to other BTV Hubs.”
Manly loves learning about new technologies and innovations in the agriculture industry and enjoys watching the BTV ventures grow and make progress.
Originally from Mariposa, California, Manly just recently completed her Bachelors of Science in agricultural business. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, being outdoors, and traveling. Her favorite quote is "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."
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BlueTechValley & Partners Upcoming Events & Webinars
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Big Bang! Competition - Developing your Startup Slide Deck
February 28, 2019 - UC Davis, Gallagher Hall
Learn how to develop a compelling business plan/slide deck to convey your idea. You can then use this presentation when pitching your venture to potential team members, investors, and stakeholders.
Click here to RSVP.
Click here to watch Livestream.
Berkeley Law – New Business Practicum
March 1, 2019 – UC Merced Venture Lab – Merced, California
Join Berkeley Law’s New Business Practicum workshop on “The Big Book of Patents: A Patent law bedtime story skit” on March 1, 2019. For videos and schedule updates, please click here.
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Other Events and Webinars
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Fresno Area Ag Workshop
February 27, 2019 – 172 W Jefferson Ave, Easton, California
Join Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Fresno, Tulare & Kings County Farm Bureaus as they discuss updates to rebate programs, upcoming changes in Ag time-of-use rates, excavation safety, and farm equipment electrification. The event includes a keynote from Charles M. Burt, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE. from Cal Poly’s Irrigation Training & Research Center.
Click here to learn more and RSVP.
Cleantech San Diego
March 6, 2019, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, San Diego, California
Join Cleantech San Diego and E2 for California’s Cleantech Priorities: State Policies Shaping 2019 and Beyond. Be part of the conversation with cleantech policy experts who will discuss legislative priorities in Sacramento, who is leading the conversation, and the challenges and opportunities they may spur for the cleantech sector.
Click here to learn more.
Valley Innovators
March 13, 2019 - Tower Theater, Fresno, California
Valley Innovators is a new accelerator in Fresno focused on the advancement of knowledge, mentorship, and development of capital for startups. They are hosting a pitch contest on March 13, 2019 where the top three finalists will receive up to $50,000 in total cash (no strings attached) plus in-kind services. First place receives $25,000 in cold, hard cash.
For more information and how to apply, click here.
Wildfire Technology Innovation Summit
March 20-21, 2019 - Sacramento, California
California's Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is sponsoring the Wildfire Technology Innovation Summit on March 20-21, 2019 in Sacramento. The Summit is designed to initiate an ongoing dialogue between the technology industry, academic researchers, utilities and government on the needs and tools to address wildfire challenges.
“We cannot just accept devastating wildfires as the new normal. California is the global leader in technology and innovation. We can develop game-changing solutions and get ahead of this problem,” says CPUC President Michael Picker.
For more information, click here.
Energy Storage Technologies & Applications Conference
April 11 - 12, 2019 - University of California, Riverside
This conference provides a forum for faculty, researchers, practitioners, regulators, technology developers, community leaders, and utility companies to share the latest advances and future opportunities for energy. Take part in invited and contributed presentations, panel discussions, industry showcases, and a networking reception to enhance the opportunities and collaborations among various stakeholders.
Click here to learn more.
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Funding & Other Opportunities
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LACI’s Capital Access Program (CAP), partially funded by the DOE, is working to increase the flow of debt working capital to cleantech startups.
Are you looking to grow your cleantech startup or business? The Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator is looking to help California cleantech businesses reach their goals!
Do you: have at least one year of revenue history, and ideally on a growth trajectory? Need general working capital? Have sufficient cash flow to service a loan at reasonable interest rates? No significant founder credit issues? LACI can help. And LACI is covering the underwriting fees for a limited time.
Please contact Program Lead Dax Stephens with any questions and/or to start the loan application process (Dax@LACI.org).
2019 Concept Awards solicitation - CalSEED
Heads up! Please make note of the important dates below for the 2019 Concept Awards Solicitation. Stay tuned for updates and the next call for applications by clicking here to join CalSEED’s mailing list.
Eligibility application submission window is from March 1 - March 11.
For more information, please visit http://calseed.fund/apply/.
Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO-18-401) - Renewable Energy for Agriculture Program
Deadline to submit application is March 5, 2019, by 5:00 p.m. PST.
Click here to learn more information.
Central California Angel Conference 2019 Application
Ends on February 22, 2019
Your startup must:
(1) Demonstrate a completed proof of concept with an MVP and/or early revenue. (2) Have potential for scalablity and high growth. (3) Have a team with the ability to execute. (4) Be based in Central California.
Click here for application information and how to apply.
ARPA-E announces funding opportunity to support floating wind turbines using control co-design
ARPA-E today announced up to $28 million in funding for a new program: Aerodynamic Turbines, Lighter and Afloat, with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control (ATLANTIS). ATLANTIS projects will develop new technologies for floating, offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) using the discipline of control co-design (CCD).
For more information on ARPA-E’s ATLANTIS program, click here.
The deadline to submit a concept paper for ATLANTIS is 9:30 a.m. ET on March 18, 2019. The full FOA and information on how to find project-teaming partners are available on ARPA-E’s online application portal, ARPA-E eXCHANGE.
State Water Efficiency & Enhancement Program
The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Grant applications are due March 8, 2019.
Click here to learn more.
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Did you know?
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Our last two webinars are now on our website! Check out our videos library here.
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Follow us on social media or contact us at bluetechvalley@csufresno.edu! |
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