On April 3, 2023, teams of student entrepreneurs convened to pitch clean energy technologies at the EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) National Pitch Event, part of Zpryme’s Energy Thought Summit in Austin, TX.
Office of Technology Transitions
July 18, 2023
minute read time
Student entrepreneurs pave the way towards a clean future with new energy technologies
On April 3, 2023, teams of student entrepreneurs convened to pitch clean energy technologies at the EnergyTech University Prize (EnergyTech UP) National Pitch Event, part of Zpryme’s Energy Thought Summit in Austin, TX. The summit’s 2023 theme was Keep Earth Weird, citing that “Humanity, in all its weirdness, is the driving force behind solving the challenges around decarbonization to create a cleaner, more just world.”
The second annual EnergyTech UP program launched in May 2022 and the competition officially started in January 2023 with 184 teams from 124 different schools located in 44 different states, D.C., American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In February, they pitched their business plans for commercializing emerging energy technologies at one of 15 regional competitions for a spot at the National Pitch Event in Austin.
The 16 competing student teams arrived at the Hotel ZaZa event venue buzzing with excitement. The space itself was decorated in colorful, abstract art, uncannily matching the energy of the creative summit theme. Students eagerly greeted and networked with fellow competing teams and industry experts while sharing kudos for all the hard work from everyone involved.
This select group of students came with a passion for the clean energy transition and motivation to contribute to the cause in their local communities and beyond. Tonisha Bloomingberg, participating student from Prairie View’s A&M University H2 Ceramic Solutions team, noted “the great energy in the air” and shared, “My efforts come from my heart and years of dedication that I have put into the Houston and Prairie View area in building up the environment. In the future, I hope to be sitting on the other side of the pitch board giving opportunities to future entrepreneurs.”
Throughout the day, the 16 competing teams and four previously awarded bonus prize winners presented their energy technology business plans to a panel of five industry expert judges. While stakes were high with a top prize of $50,000, the students demonstrated amicable support and appreciation for competing teams’ solutions throughout the event, noting “endless applications” of clean technology and valuable exposure to “different ways of proposing business models and value propositions.” Program lead and event host, Joe Simon, kept the room smiling with an array of energy-themed jokes between pitches.
“While I had some jokes about recycling, most of them have been used,” Joe shared over laughter.
With pitches ranging from high-efficiency solar panel coatings to wall-climbing inspection robots, the judges had an abundance of business proposals to consider prior to determining the three winning teams.
“It was promising to see the thoughtful and creative technology proposals and passion from our next generation of climate problem-solvers,” said Victor Kane, Deputy Director for OTT Commercialization Programs and EnergyTech UP judge. “I’m optimistic for a future with these up-and-coming leaders in the energy industry.”
The students were also invested in competing teams' presentations. “I was very impressed by the multitude of innovative ways to address battery waste, especially with the geopolitical issues surrounding lithium,” said participating student from George Washington University’s Electromaim team. Electromaim teammate Sarah Wilson added that there’s a “vast variety of inventions out there and unique ways to rework the way we interact with energy.”
The top three teams awarded cash prizes were:
- First Place, awarded $50,000: Team Heliotrope from New York University. This team is developing efficiency-boosting coatings that increase solar panel efficiency by 10-15%.
- Second Place, awarded $30,000: Team ReLi from the University of Virginia. This team aims to recycle all forms of lithium-ion batteries to recover critical materials and reintroduce them back into the supply chain by leveraging DOE national laboratory technologies.
- Third Place, awarded $20,000: Team Icorium from the University of Kansas. This team is utilizing membrane technology and extractive distillation to separate and recycle complex refrigerant mixtures at the end of their life.
Students described the program as “rewarding”, “innovative”, and “creative”. Others acknowledged the event as an opportunity to gain pitching experience, product exposure, and quality feedback from industry leaders. Gregory Pilchak, participating student on University of Virginia’s ReLi battery team shared, “It was heartening to see so many other students and young leaders contributing to the energy transitions. It's valuable early career experience."
Planning for the next round of the competition is already underway. Anyone interested in competing as a student or supporting a team next year should follow the EnergyTech UP page on HeroX, the official competition platform, for updates and further information.