MARCH, 2019
Greetings from David Kenney
President & Executive Director
Countdown! The Time to Act Is Now
Our team and our event partners at OEN have been hard at work setting the stage for our annual conference, the
VertueLab Impact Summit (#VIS2019), which will take place on September 13th at the Left Bank Annex in Portland.
This year's theme,
Countdown, reflects the urgency of addressing climate change and our focus on being a key player in accelerating clean technology innovations that will be part of the climate solution.
The time to act is now. As a society, we must transform the way we do just about everything in order to bring greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible, as fast as possible. Technology has enabled massive transitions before, fueled by innovative startups, and we are working hard to now make the next major transition happen soon.
So be sure to add this important event to your calendar and take advantage of
early-bird registration rates available now. Also, consider becoming an
Event Sponsor to give your organization high visibility among the innovators, impact investors, entrepreneurs, and other visionaries working hard to accelerate climate solutions (
download sponsor benefits packet).
Join us at the
VertueLab Impact Summit on September 13th and be part of the solution!
Thanks for your support,
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WELLS FARGO INNOVATION INCUBATOR
TAPS VERTUELAB
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VertueLab Shares $1M Wells Fargo Channel Partner Award
One of 13 organizations selected for Innovation Incubator (IN2) funding
The
Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), a technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), selected VertueLab as one of only 13 organizations nationwide to receive a prestigious IN2 Channel Partner Award. We will use the
$70,000 in funding to help launch our new
VertueLab Climate Impact Fund, a unique solution to bridging the critical capital gap faced by many cleantech startups as a result of traditional investors being hesitant to fund hardware-oriented technologies until significant development milestones are reached.
Read more.
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VERTUELAB-SUPPORTED COMPANIES
IN THE NEWS
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Acrimoto Rolls Out "Rapid Responder" Electric Vehicle
The VertueLab-supported startup
Arcimoto, has introduced a specialized "Rapid Responder" version of its three-wheeled electric vehicle that can zip EMTs and police officers through congested city streets to deliver initial first aid and other support faster than bulky ambulances and firetrucks. The vehicle (
pictured, above) can also help cities meet emissions goals for municipal fleets.
Read more in Bloomberg.
NemaMetrix Raises $5M, Grows to Almost 50 Employees
NemaMetrix, the Eugene-based startup that uses nematode worms for biomedical research and environmental testing, has raised another $5 million, with the Oregon Venture Fund as lead investor and Rogue Venture Partners also participating. This is the company’s fourth funding round, bringing the grand total to $8.5 million and jobs created to almost 50.
Read more.
ESS Partners to Offer 10-Year Guarantee to Customers
IOTAS Named Startup of the Year for Smart Home Tech
VertueLab-supported startup
IOTAS, provider of multifamily industry smart home experience, has been named Startup of the Year by Startup Grind. “Of the thousands of startups we consider and speak with each year, IOTAS showed what it takes to take the torch, and we are thrilled they are 2019's winner,” said Derek Andersen, Founder and CEO of Startup Grind.
Read more.
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$220,000 IN GRANTS ANNOUNCED,
2019 APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS
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The
application period for the accelerator’s 2019 cohort is now open through
April 17, 2019. Contact
Vanessa Margolis at VertueLab or
Rachelle Ames at CleanTech Alliance to discuss the program benefits and application process.
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BADASS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
COMES TO PORTLAND
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Badass Women Entrepreneurs Gather in Portland
Learn about resources, feel inspired by shared stories, be empowered
This event at VertueLab's offices in Portland offers a panel discussion about securing follow-on funding, followed by a panel of rockstar women entrepreneurs who are fueling their startup ventures with fundraising, government grants, bootstrapping, and true grit. Panelists include:
Maggie Reilly, Craft3 business lender;
Leon Wolf, VertueLab’s SBIR/STTR grant writing consultant;
Angela Jackson, Cofounder and Managing Director with Portland Seed Fund;
Virginia Emery, Insect Entrepreneur with Beta Hatch;
Sada Naegelin, of De Las Mias - Empowering Latinas; and
Lindsey Murphy, Crazy Aunt Lindsey of The Fab Lab, YouTube's favorite kids science show.
Reserve your spot now.
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VERTUELAB IMPACT SUMMIT:
COMING SEPTEMEBER 13
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Coming: The NW's Premier Climate Solutions Conference
Help accelerate clean technology solutions to reverse climate change
Countdown! The clock is ticking. The time is now. In order to make the technology leaps needed to reverse the climate crisis, we must quickly connect and collaborate with those who share our inspiration to accelerate climate solutions.
VertueLab Impact Summit on September 13 is the Pacific Northwest’s premier climate technology innovation conference -
the place to meet the visionary doers, thinkers, and innovators working hard to speed clean technology development so that we can reverse climate chaos soon.
Early bird registration is now open and
event sponsorships are going fast!
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STORIES, NEWS, & TIPS ABOUT
IMPACT INVESTING
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The Power of Catalytic Capital to Change the World
By filling gaps, catalytic capital can help grow environmental solutions
Catalytic capital is investment capital that is patient, risk-tolerant, concessionary, and flexible in ways that differ from conventional investment. According to
Catalytic Capital: Unlocking More Investment and Impact, a recently released report by the consulting firm Tideline, catalytic capital is an essential component to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which face an annual
$5 - $7 trillion financing gap. As an investment tool, catalytic capital ultimately helps more enterprises secure the financial support they need to grow and scale social and environmental solutions that could improve millions of lives. A new initiative was launched on March 12th to address the need for this kind of catalyst - the Catalytic Capital Consortium, comprised of funding and expertise from the MacArthur Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Omidyar Network.
Read more.
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EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES,
AND FUNDING
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & UPCOMING EVENTS
A discussion of raising funding for startups in an entertaining debate format, this free event features Neil Nathanson and Ann McQuesten of Perkins Coie debating preferred shares vs. the convertible note, while Ken Vaughn, Director of Impact Investments at VertueLab, moderates.
RSVP here. Portland, OR
Learn about resources. Feel inspired by shared stories. Be empowered by opportunities. Includes a panel discussion about securing follow-on funding, followed by a panel of rockstar women entrepreneurs fueling their startup ventures with fundraising, government grants, bootstrapping, and true grit. Also includes one-on-one meetings with VertueLab's SBIR/STTR grant expert, Leon Wolf. Portland, OR
Reserve your spot here.
Application Deadline: April 17
Powered by VertueLab and CleanTech Alliance, this 15-week accelerator program delivers mentorship, curriculum, connections, and funding opportunities designed specifically for early-stage cleantech startups. "[The accelerator] was an invaluable opportunity for our company to refine our strategy, overhaul our pitch, and network with mentors," said Christof Krumm of Sironix Renewables, a member of the 2018 cohort.
Apply by April 17 to be part of the 2019 cohort.
Last year, the nation's best regional solar conference attracted more than 430 attendees representing 170 companies and featured a range of exhibitors and sessions. Engage with industry leaders and others at this year's conference. Portland, OR
The forum showcases innovative technologies and disruptive business solutions, while convening a collaborative community of thought leaders, cleantech startups, investors, industry, startup support organizations, and NREL experts. Use the code NETWORK100 for $100 off the price of registration!
With more than 800 participants last year, the Roadmap Conference is the nation's largest and most advanced annual conference on electric and smart mobility. Hear from 100+ national and international speakers, dozens of exhibits, regional smart mobility tours, and high-energy interactive sessions.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office seeks feedback from industry, academia, research labs, government agencies, and others to identify challenges and opportunities for the American solar industry appropriate for federal government funding.
An opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking investment capital to present their early stage businesses to Willamette Valley Capital for capital investment.
RocketSpace and BP have teamed up on this accelerator to shape the future movement of people, goods, and services. Up to 21 startups are selected to participate.
If your product or service is “Made in America,” your company could qualify for this matching grant funding from the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center.
A group of investors contributes time, expertise, capital, and connections to help founders gain access to the right people and resources to grow their business their way.
Ongoing grants from a wide range of federal agencies that support small business startups and research innovations.
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SUPPORT OUR WORK
TO REVERSE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
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Stopping Climate Change Will Take All of Us, Now
Your donation helps fund, support, and advance climate solutions
VertueLab helps the innovators and entrepreneurs developing critical climate solutions. Because climate disruption continues to accelerate, it's more critical than ever to ensure these solutions reach the marketplace and achieve scalable impact as soon as possible. Your donation makes a real difference in achieving a sustainable climate future, and we thank you for it. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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Let's Collaborate and Make an Impact!
Resources and expertise for innovators and investors
At
VertueLab
, we support great ideas from entrepreneurs and help donors and investors ensure that their dollars are making a positive impact on the planet by slowing the climate crisis. We collaborate to help transform ideas into successful enterprises and measure the impact all along the way.
Contact us
!
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