Accessing Non-Dilutive Public & Philanthropic Capital for Cleantech Startups

Join us for a presentation and workshopping event on accessing non-dilutive funding opportunities for Cleantech startups. The presentation will cover philanthropic funding, public funding, and accelerator programs. The event will conclude with a workshopping session to help attendees identify the best-fit opportunities for their organization. Light bites will be provided! This will be an interactive session with Gia Kirkland and Ryan Taylor. Gia works for the California Energy Commission (CEC) in grant management and as a research analyst specializing in Cleantech funding opportunities and outcomes. Ryan Taylor is the innovation navigator for Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials team and brings over a decade of experience in climate technology innovation. Both facilitators are passionate about supporting founders in navigating funding opportunities to accelerate clean energy and material innovations. Ryan leads and coordinates Bakar Labs’ Energy & Materials (BL-EM) engagement work, connecting fellows, research groups, startups, funders, and strategic partners around climate and hard-tech commercialization. His role evaluating emerging company opportunities, supporting tenant and venture selection, and helping translate UC Berkeley research into investable or partnership-ready ventures, is focused on building a stronger deeptech innovation pipeline by identifying promising teams, shaping their commercial strategy, and connecting them with the right resources and stakeholders. Agenda: Philanthropic FundingPublic Funding in CaliforniaAccelerators and IncubatorsQ+AWorkshop Session About Bakar Labs: Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials (BL-EM) is an initiative out of UC Berkeley that expands the university's renowned Bakar Bio Labs model beyond biotech into technologies that address planetary health. BL-EM accelerates the commercialization of breakthrough research across diverse areas including, renewable energy systems, materials science, efficient manufacturing methods, food and agricultural production, waste management, and circular economy solutions. BL-EM has an active pilot program designed to provide hands-on support to pre-incorporation spinouts and Pre-Seed to Series A startups, is developing a network of corporate partners driving innovation in their sector, and organizes expert convenings on topics ranging from AI and climate to building innovation. As part of UC Berkeley's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, BL-EM will move into its permanent home at the western entrance of campus, a 145,000 square foot facility scheduled to open in early 2028. The building will include highly flexible wet laboratory and office space and will serve as a dedicated hub for innovation and community with partners from across campus, the National Laboratories, and around the world. About CEC: The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, playing a critical role in creating the energy system of the future — one that is clean, resilient, reliable, and safe. CEC is committed to reducing energy costs and environmental impacts while ensuring that our economy thrives. To achieve these goals, the CEC distributes and manages grant funding opportunities for topics such as transportation electrification, grid reliability, energy efficiency, and more. About 9Zero: We’re a members-only community of founders, investors, scientists, and innovators accelerating climate solutions through meaningful relationships. Apply to join at www.9Zero.com