Grid Catalyst

Beer + community + innovation + a little nerdiness = a fantastic night! Thanks so much to Bradley Stageberg and Tom Fletcher for mobilizing our cleantech mixer event last night. We had a great turnout. And you know connections are being made when it's 40 minutes after the event ends and half the folks are still chatting away. I heard big ideas, met some dedicated volunteer mentors, and we encouraged attendees to consider applying for the next cycle of the Cleantech Open Accelerator (link in the comments - application due Apr 13). We also got a sneak peek at the next Brown Venture Group Innovation Mashup Lab from Dr. Paul Campbell (more info coming soon!) If the pics give you a little FOMO, register for the Grid Catalyst PowerNorth Incubator Showcase on April 22 to join us for our next community event (link in comments). When in doubt, build community... #AccelerateNorth #energy #cleantech #opportunity #community #partnerships #innovators #startups #changemakers

We’ve reached the halfway point of the PowerNorth Incubator! Week 5 was all about go-to-market strategies. Our guest lecturer, Seth Werner, a senior pricing analyst at Cargill and former lecturer at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, walked participants through how to get your solution in front of the right people at the right time in the right way with the right message. Key takeaways that resonated with our founders: 1️⃣ The importance of starting with the problem, not the solution. Too often, entrepreneurs create products/services first and then try to figure out a market for them – a solution in search of a problem. Success comes from identifying real market needs with significant potential before building the solution. 2️⃣ Understanding the "Say-Do" gap. What customers say they want versus what they actually do can be two very different things. Observing real-world behavior often yields more valuable insights than direct customer feedback alone. 3️⃣ Discovering the jobs your customers hire your product to do. Whether it's a formal task at work or an emotional need at home, people don't simply buy products – they hire them to achieve something specific in their lives. The key to a successful go-to-market strategy is studying what triggers them to seek out better solutions and what progress they're really after. Big thanks to Seth for sharing his expertise and helping to set our founders up for success as they bring their products and services to market. #PowerNorth #Startups #ProductStrategy #MarketResearch #Entrepreneurship #StartupMentorship

Beer + community + innovation + a little nerdiness = a fantastic night! Thanks so much to Bradley Stageberg and Tom Fletcher for mobilizing our cleantech mixer event last night. We had a great turnout. And you know connections are being made when it's 40 minutes after the event ends and half the folks are still chatting away. I heard big ideas, met some dedicated volunteer mentors, and we encouraged attendees to consider applying for the next cycle of the Cleantech Open Accelerator (link in the comments - application due Apr 13). We also got a sneak peek at the next Brown Venture Group Innovation Mashup Lab from Dr. Paul Campbell (more info coming soon!) If the pics give you a little FOMO, register for the Grid Catalyst PowerNorth Incubator Showcase on April 22 to join us for our next community event (link in comments). When in doubt, build community... #AccelerateNorth #energy #cleantech #opportunity #community #partnerships #innovators #startups #changemakers

Last call: Join us tomorrow (Thursday) for a clean energy mixer! We’re co-hosting a casual networking event with Cleantech Open Midwest from 4:30-6pm @ Pryes Brewing. Swing by to: → Re-connect with folks working in energy and cleantech in Minnesota. → Meet new people doing cool and innovative things in this space. → Learn about the Cleantech Open (the world’s largest cleantech accelerator) from program mentors and alums. Accepting applications now until April 13. This event is open to anyone who works in or supports cleantech and energy innovation in Minnesota. Let us know you're coming → https://lnkd.in/gQpyPFeK See you there! #AccelerateNorth #energy #cleantech #event #networking

‼️ Summer fellowship opportunity for students in higher education ‼️ Please share with the higher education students in your network and encourage them to apply for a spot in this 8-week paid Summer Innovation Fellowship (June-July 2025). This program is open to any higher education students curious about science, energy, sustainability, business, OR entrepreneurship. Students must be able to attend 8 weekly Tuesday sessions on the University of Minnesota (UMN) -Minneapolis campus. Students enrolled in any higher education programs (not just UMN) are eligible. Students will have the opportunity to learn about innovation, business, and science applications, build their network, and contribute to real-world challenges for STEM startups. 📅 Applications are due March 15. 🔗Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/gBkhFySu This unique program is made possible through a partnership between Grid Catalyst, MIN-Corps, and the Institute on the Environment University of Minnesota. In addition to funding from LaunchMN, NorthStar STEM Alliance, and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. Tremendous thanks to Cameron Popp who will be helping our team manage this program through the summer. And thanks to Ashley Mahoney and Aaron Hanson for their leadership and collaboration. It's always fun to work with folks who are so passionate about the intersection between science and innovation. #AccelerateNorth #SummerFellowship #Students #Business #Entrepreneurship #HigherEd #Innovation #STEM #Energy #Mentorship #FutureLeaders #ApplyNow

Last week in the #PowerNorth Incubator, design expert and innovation strategist Carlye Lauff, PhD demystified prototyping for our founders: what it is, why it’s so critical for business success, and how to do it in low-cost and creative ways. While prototyping can feel costly and cumbersome in the early stages of a startup, research shows that businesses that take the time to prototype get their products to market faster and are more successful once they get there. As Google engineer and innovator Alberto Savoia put it in his book Pretotype It: “Make sure you’re building The Right It, before you build It right.” Thank you, Carlye, for teaching us to go out and FAIL (First Attempt In Learning) early and often, so we can succeed faster. 

A reminder to mark your calendars for Feb 20! Join us for an evening of casual networking with industry experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, and other energy and cleantech partners, co-hosted by Cleantech Open Midwest and Grid Catalyst. Cleantech Open – the world's largest cleantech accelerator – is accepting applications now until April 13. Program mentors and alums will be at the event to answer any questions you have about the program. 🗓️ When: Thursday, Feb 20 @ 4:30-6pm 📍Where: Pryes Brewing in Minneapolis ⚡️Who: Open to anyone who works in or supports cleantech and energy innovation in Minnesota. Let us know you're coming → https://lnkd.in/gQpyPFeK Thanks to Bradley Stageberg and Tom Fletcher for making this event happen. #AccelerateNorth #energy #cleantech #event #networking

Last call for graphic designers interested in a short-term contract to support cleantech innovation! Proposals due tomorrow, Feb 13. Grid Catalyst accelerates clean energy innovation by connecting entrepreneurs with project demonstration opportunities, mentorship, and investments. We're looking for a graphic designer to help tell our energy innovation story through compelling visual content. We're looking for a designer who can: → Create engaging social media graphics → Design practical, customizable templates → Make technical content visually accessible → Maintain consistent branding across platforms Contract details: → Short-term engagement → First deliverables: February 28 → Proposals due: Tomorrow, February 13 View the complete RFP and submission details here: https://lnkd.in/gUjdZGBN #CleanEnergy #GraphicDesign #Cleantech

Join us February 20 for a great opportunity to build your network in our regional energy and cleantech ecosystem AND learn about the Cleantech Open opportunity. We are thrilled to be co-hosting this mixer event at Pryes Brewing Company, LLC - 4:30-6:30 for energy and cleantech industry professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We highly encourage our industry veterans and experts to join us and help us support these up and comers and their emerging technologies. Registration - https://lnkd.in/gMzbEN6T Thanks to Bradley Stageberg and Tom Fletcher for driving this opportunity. #AccelerateNorth #energy #cleantech #event #networking

This week the #PowerNorth Incubator dove deep into the critical legal foundations of startup success. Our founders received invaluable insights from Bray M. Dohrwardt of Avisen Legal on navigating the complex intersection of energy, innovation, and business law. From trademark establishment to IP protection, the session illuminated how strategic legal planning in a startup's early stages isn't just about protection – it's about building a foundation for sustainable growth. Thank you, Bray, for equipping our founders with the knowledge to protect their innovations and scale with confidence. Your passion for supporting and empowering energy innovators is truly inspiring.