Startup Programs

We help startups develop their technologies, secure funding and financing, access new customers and markets, test and pilot their solutions, and unlock their full potential.

We support groundbreaking startups

that have a cleantech solution addressing clean energy, zero-emissions transportation, or circular economy with a focus on smart & sustainable cities.

Incubation Program

We provide hands-on support to cleantech startups in Southern California through market access and business services.

Incubation Program Overview

The Incubation Program supports Pre-Seed to Seed-stage startups with commercialization through small-scale pilot projects and preparation for following funding. We help startups develop their technologies, secure funding and financing, access customers and markets, test and pilot their solutions, develop partnerships with corporates, and unlock their full potential.

Companies selected for our Incubation Program will join a powerful and deeply connected community of diverse LACI founders and alumni who are making an impact.

Are you ready?

Eligibility

Benefits

  • Have a cleantech solution that addresses Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation, or Circular Economy with a focus on Smart & Sustainable Cities.
  • Have a significant operations or sales presence in Southern California with founder or key executive able to attend meetings, workshops, and events on campus periodically at least four times in the first six months.
  • Commit to all curriculum and mentorship opportunities during the first six months, approximately three to five hour weekly commitment.
  • Preferably have two full-time employees and a strategy to grow the team in Southern California.
  • Preferably have two full-time employees and a strategy to grow the team in Southern California.
  • Own or hold license to a novel proprietary technology.
  • Have a working prototype (TRL 4+).
  • Need funding assistance for pilot execution, beyond sole purchase of technology or product.
  • Agree to a 1.5-3% equity stake in the form of a warrant with the opportunity to earn back through achieving impact milestones.
  • Must be based in the United States.
  • A 45-hour advanced curriculum based on LACI’s decade-plus experience across hundreds of cleantech startups. Study impact-focused business roadmapping, building your team with inclusivity, customer acquisition, and creating a strong legal foundation for business growth and investment readiness.
  • One-hour weekly advisory with a dedicated Executive in Residence, who provides coaching, accountability, and mentorship to define business milestones.
  • Up to $500,000 in equity funding and debt financing through LACI’s Impact Fund and Debt Fund.
  • Investment-preparation advisory services from LACI Investments Team, including our Senior Director of Investment Relations who has helped startups raise over half a billion in funding from investors like Energy Impact Partners, Mark Cuban Companies, Blackrock, Trucks VC and others.
  • Access to $160,000 worth of perks & platforms to support fundraising efforts (e.g. Pitchbook), grant solicitations, news publications, and product development tools (e.g. SolidWorks, Autodesk).
  • Present at annual Power Day pitch and showcase event in front of 200+ attendees and 100+ angel, venture capital, corporate strategic, and family office investors in addition to corporate, public utilities, and various government agencies.
  • Opportunities to meet relevant investors and partners through events like monthly LACInvestor Talks.
  • 25% to 50% discounts on desk space or private office memberships at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
  • Free hot desk membership and 25% to 50% discounts on private office memberships at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

Eligibility

  • Have a cleantech solution that addresses Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation, or Circular Economy with a focus on Smart & Sustainable Cities.
  • Have a significant operations or sales presence in Southern California with founder or key executive able to attend meetings, workshops, and events on campus periodically at least four times in the first six months.
  • Commit to all curriculum and mentorship opportunities during the first six months, approximately three to five hour weekly commitment.
  • Preferably have two full-time employees and a strategy to grow the team in Southern California.
  • Preferably have two full-time employees and a strategy to grow the team in Southern California.
  • Own or hold license to a novel proprietary technology.
  • Have a working prototype (TRL 4+).
  • Need funding assistance for pilot execution, beyond sole purchase of technology or product.
  • Agree to a 1.5-3% equity stake in the form of a warrant with the opportunity to earn back through achieving impact milestones.
  • Must be based in the United States.

Benefits

  • A 45-hour advanced curriculum based on LACI’s decade-plus experience across hundreds of cleantech startups. Study impact-focused business roadmapping, building your team with inclusivity, customer acquisition, and creating a strong legal foundation for business growth and investment readiness.
  • One-hour weekly advisory with a dedicated Executive in Residence, who provides coaching, accountability, and mentorship to define business milestones.
  • Up to $500,000 in equity funding and debt financing through LACI’s Impact Fund and Debt Fund.
  • Investment-preparation advisory services from LACI Investments Team, including our Senior Director of Investment Relations who has helped startups raise over half a billion in funding from investors like Energy Impact Partners, Mark Cuban Companies, Blackrock, Trucks VC and others.
  • Access to $160,000 worth of perks & platforms to support fundraising efforts (e.g. Pitchbook), grant solicitations, news publications, and product development tools (e.g. SolidWorks, Autodesk).
  • Present at annual Power Day pitch and showcase event in front of 200+ attendees and 100+ angel, venture capital, corporate strategic, and family office investors in addition to corporate, public utilities, and various government agencies.
  • Opportunities to meet relevant investors and partners through events like monthly LACInvestor Talks.
  • 25% to 50% discounts on desk space or private office memberships at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
  • Free hot desk membership and 25% to 50% discounts on private office memberships at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

Innovators Program

The Innovators Program supporting early-stage startups with a light-touch network access program to plug entrepreneurs into the California ecosystem.

Innovators Program Overview

Startups interested in this 12 month program must operate out of one of the four counties in our Southern California territory: Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, or Orange County.

This program is catered to early stage ventures that are pre-seed or pre-prototype with at least some proof of concept.

No cost to apply or participate.

Are you ready?

Eligibility

Benefits

  • The company or one of the founders must have an address in one of the following four counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange
  • Solutions must be cleantech and fall within one of our three technology verticals: Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation and Sustainable Cities: Circular Economy.
  • Developing for sale or licensing of a proprietary technology, with elements owned or licensed by the startup, or establishing a unique value-add distribution channel of products and services within its industry.
  • Technology must have proprietary elements owned/licensed by the startup
  • Technology must have at least a critical function or proof of concept established.
  • Program services are light-touch and focus on network access – we act as a “concierge” rather than a coach.
  • Regular updates on ecosystem opportunities.
  • Access to platforms and resources and discounts to industry events.
  • Check-ins with a LACI staff member every other month.
  • Curriculum development opportunities in expert-led workshops and pitch clinics.
  • Invitations to participate in LACI events and showcases.
  • Promotion to LACI’s network and ecosystem.
  • Visibility within California Energy Commission’s network.
  • Discounted access to desk space at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center

Eligibility

  • The company or one of the founders must have an address in one of the following four counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange
  • Solutions must be cleantech and fall within one of our three technology verticals: Clean Energy, Zero Emissions Transportation and Sustainable Cities: Circular Economy.
  • Developing for sale or licensing of a proprietary technology, with elements owned or licensed by the startup, or establishing a unique value-add distribution channel of products and services within its industry.
  • Technology must have proprietary elements owned/licensed by the startup
  • Technology must have at least a critical function or proof of concept established.

Benefits

  • Program services are light-touch and focus on network access – we act as a “concierge” rather than a coach.
  • Regular updates on ecosystem opportunities.
  • Access to platforms and resources and discounts to industry events.
  • Check-ins with a LACI staff member every other month.
  • Curriculum development opportunities in expert-led workshops and pitch clinics.
  • Invitations to participate in LACI events and showcases.
  • Promotion to LACI’s network and ecosystem.
  • Visibility within California Energy Commission’s network.
  • Discounted access to desk space at the La Kretz Innovation Campus and Advanced Prototyping Center

Meet LACI’s Executives-In-Residence

Our Executives-In-Residence (EIRs) are mentors and accountability coaches for business founders in LACI Programs. EIRs lead collaborative meetings and work with startup founders to co-create roadmaps and milestones for success.

Meet our EIRs