Water Power Technologies Office Selects Eight Projects to Support Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses in Hydropower and Marine Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) announced $800,000 for eight projects that support incubator or accelerator programs that enable entrepreneurship, accelerate hydropower and marine energy innovation, and support business creation and growth across the United States.

“Energy harnessed from the movement of water has an essential role in providing reliable, renewable power to millions of Americans and even for industries out at sea,” said WPTO Director Matthew Grosso. “By supporting programs and services for water power entrepreneurs and small businesses, these projects have incredible potential to help create businesses and advance innovation and economic development in communities across the country.”

Hydropower facilities help electricity grids remain reliable and stable, ensuring homes and businesses across the country have power when they need it. Hydropower currently accounts for about 27% of U.S. utility-scale renewable electricity generation and nearly 6% of the country’s total utility-scale electricity generation.

Meanwhile, marine energy technologies capture energy from waves, tides, ocean and river currents, and even differences in ocean salt levels, temperatures, and pressure. While marine energy is not yet widely deployed across the country, the total available marine energy resource in the United States is equivalent to nearly 60% of all U.S. power generation. Even if only a small portion of this technical resource potential is captured, marine energy technologies would make significant contributions to U.S. energy needs.

The selected projects will each receive $100,000 and last six to nine months. Then up to four projects will be selected to receive up to $1 million each to continue their work over three years. The selected projects are:

• Blue Power Accelerate: Catalyzing Innovation in Marine Energy and Hydropower: 401 Tech Bridge at the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, based in Kingston, Rhode Island, will build a comprehensive ecosystem to fill critical supply chain gaps for ventures that leverage innovative water power technologies.  The team will first assess these stakeholders’ needs and then provide incubation and acceleration services to at least 15 teams or ventures and host a showcase event. FedTech is a partner on this project.
   
• Blue Ventures for the Pacific Northwest Water Power Program: Washington Maritime Blue, based in Seattle, will empower sustainable water power innovation and accelerate the commercialization of marine energy and hydropower technologies through its innovation cluster model. The team will launch a trial incubator for water power technology startups, recruit industry mentors, and develop tailored resources to address unique water power challenges. Project partners include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Marine Energy Center, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Pacific Ocean Energy Trust.
   
• Constructive Interference to Impact (CI2I): Aligning Waves of Support for Marine Energy Entrepreneurs: Braid Theory, Inc., based in San Pedro, California, will develop a comprehensive plan to engage, educate, and support marine energy startups as they navigate from an ideation stage to commercialization. Startups will be able to leverage the team’s existing resources, programs, and activities to access a customized entrepreneur support framework that includes ideation, acceleration and commercialization programming, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement. Partners on this project include AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Ocean Exchange, and Seaworthy Collective.
   
• Supporting Water Innovation and Marketplace: Fedsprout, based in Princeton, New Jersey, will establish a modular accelerator designed to advance the commercialization of hydropower and marine energy technologies in the northeastern United States. The team will develop tools for financial modeling, business planning, and regulatory compliance while expanding Cleantech Open Northeast’s accelerator model. By fostering collaboration between water power startups, industry experts, and technology users, the program will accelerate the transition of innovative water power technologies to market. Project partners include ACT Institute, Camoin Associates, and Catalyst Strategies. 
   
• VentureWell’s Investor Readiness Training Program: Ascend for Marine Energy and Hydropower Startups: VentureWell, based in Hadley, Massachusetts, will offer a water power accelerator program that builds on its network and established curriculum to support a diverse community of entrepreneurs in successfully launching their innovative technologies in hydropower and marine energy. VentureWell plans to launch two annual cohorts for its Ascend Program, a 10-week hybrid investment readiness training designed to support pre-seed startups. The program helps startups launch, establish strategic partnerships, and prepare to raise capital, while fostering a supportive community and offering access to technical resources, mentorship, and funding. Program design will be informed by a gap assessment on the needs of water power entrepreneurs. 
   
• Water and Alaska Vital Energy Systems (WAVES): Launch Alaska, based in Anchorage, Alaska, will identify gaps between emerging water power technologies and project deployment in Alaska, helping companies harness the state’s untapped water power potential along its 33,000 miles of coastline. Through the WAVES Program, Launch Alaska will support water power companies looking to do business in the state by offering business development services, including market analysis, regulatory guidance, mentorship, and networking, as well as facilitating connections to potential investors and strategic partners.
   
• Water Power Innovation Accelerator Gap Analysis and Implementation: Research Triangle Institute International, based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, will develop a water power accelerator program and training curriculum using principles of entrepreneurship tailored to sector-specific needs. The project team will conduct a gap analysis to identify challenges in the water power innovation ecosystem and barriers underrepresented communities face in joining the industry. Findings will inform the proposed program design, inclusive recruitment strategy, and resource requirements. The program curricula will address water power-specific topics, including regulatory constraints, public and private funding strategies, relicensing, dam safety, environmental impact considerations, and grid integration.
   
• WaterSHED (Sustainable Hydrological Energy Development) Studios: Realize 2050, LLC, based in Denver, will accelerate hydropower and marine energy innovation by transforming dormant intellectual property from universities and national laboratories into commercially viable technologies. The team will identify critical challenges and opportunities in the water power sector and then map relevant intellectual property to these challenges. These insights will shape a venture-building program to support the commercialization of these innovations through mentorship, technical support, and market strategies.

These projects were selected through WPTO’s Water Power Innovation Network funding opportunity. Learn more about water power funding opportunities. 

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time. 

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