IgniteX is a largely virtual, 12-week program in which selected participants partner with Black & Veatch thought leaders and subject matter experts to co-develop, pilot and market their new technology. Participants receive mentorship, access to the company’s vast industry network, product testing opportunities, pitch development coaching and investor introductions. The program, which empowers startups involved in climate, decarbonization technology, culminates with a showcase in which the entrepreneurs present their solutions and outline their value propositions and market opportunity.
Black & Veatch is also teaming up with independent research institute RTI International to provide technical and commercialization support to IgniteX program participants.
Applications may be submitted here. The deadline is 19 February 2024.
“With the challenges of climate change mounting, it’s increasingly paramount that we accelerate novel technologies that ultimately will help lower the global carbon footprint both at scale and affordability. This program seeks to do just that,” said Ryan Pletka, vice president of innovation for Black & Veatch. “Entrepreneurs and startups with outside-the-box, potentially transformational concepts often need a boost in developing and scaling their technologies, and we have deep expertise to kickstart the growing climate innovation ecosystem.”
This year’s IgniteX program is looking for innovations that span the critical elements across the entire end-to-end carbon dioxide removal lifecycle in:
- Direct air capture (DAC)
- Enhanced mineralization
- Soil carbon sequestration
- Biomass carbon removal and storage
- Ocean-based CDR
- Afforestation and Reforestation
- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
- Other innovations that improve the cost-effectiveness, scalability, efficiency or co-benefits of CO2 capture from the environment through engineered processes
IgniteX provides funding of up to US$35,000 in non-dilutive grants and in-kind services, plus potential equity investments from US$50,000–US$100,000.
