Accelerator · United States

Cleantech Open

A nonprofit accelerator for cleantech startups that runs regional programmes across the US over five months. Teams pay a participation fee; regional and national winners share cash prizes and investment.

Status unknown

Verified 18 October 2026 · From the programme's own pages

Terms

Funding
not published No standard investment. Regional and national winners share up to US$150k in cash prizes and/or investment, plus up to US$50k in in-kind services; the grand prize is a SAFE with no cap and no discount
Instrument
not published
Equity taken
not published
Programme fee
US$2,950 2026 participation fee for up to two members: US$2,950 regular, US$2,600 early bird, US$1,875 for student-led teams. Application fee US$80 (US$30 early bird)
Duration
not published
Cohort size
not published
Cohorts
not published
Delivery
Hybrid
Stages
Idea, pre-seed, seed
Sectors
Climate, Energy
Open to founders from
United States, France
Perks
not published

Five-month programme of workshops, boot camps and webinars; the national academy, regional showcases and the global forum are in person and required. The 2026 programme ran 31 May to 25 August, with national finals in Boston on 20 to 22 October 2026.

Application dates

Status unknown

Dates not published. Applications for the 2027 accelerator are not yet open. In 2026 the deadline was 6 April, with an early-bird deadline on 28 February.

Usual timing: Applications for the 2027 accelerator are not yet open. In 2026 the deadline was 6 April, with an early-bird deadline on 28 February.

Who can apply

  • At least two team members
  • Technology in one of Cleantech Open's listed categories
  • Less than about US$2M raised from private investors and US$10M from friends, family and grants
  • A legal entity before receiving any prize
  • Stage: idea, pre-seed, seed

What founders should check

  1. The programme does not publish how much equity it takes. Ask before you accept a place.
  2. There is a fee: 2026 participation fee for up to two members: US$2,950 regular, US$2,600 early bird, US$1,875 for student-led teams. Application fee US$80 (US$30 early bird).
  3. It mixes remote and in-person sessions. Ask how much time on site it expects.
  4. Dates for the next cohort are not published. Applications for the 2027 accelerator are not yet open. In 2026 the deadline was 6 April, with an early-bird deadline on 28 February.

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