ETN COPILOT ACCELERATOR:
Pilot Demonstrations for Energy Access and Resilience in the Gulf Coast
We’re excited to launch COPILOT—an accelerator program that helps energy tech startups deploy their solutions through pilot demonstrations in the Gulf Coast. Built in partnership with Browning the Green Space (Boston, MA), COPILOT is focused on advancing energy access and resilience in communities across the Gulf Coast. This project is supported by Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
What is ETN COPILOT?
COPILOT is a community-centered, place-based pilot accelerator program that connects energy tech startups with communities to co-develop real-world pilot demonstrations in the Gulf Coast region.
The goal is to create win-win outcomes: startups get a pathway to validate and showcase their technology, while communities gain access to much-needed energy access and resilience solutions.
By publicly demonstrating their solutions, startups open the door to additional funding sources—including grants, sponsorships, tax credits, and philanthropic capital. Communities, in turn, benefit from technologies designed and deployed with their specific challenges in mind.
COPILOT is a replicable model for community-centered innovation—one that brings together startups, communities, investors, and institutions to improve long-term resilience, health, and economic opportunity.
Startups selected for the program will participate in a structured, 12-month experience that includes hands-on mentorship, curated matchmaking with pilot sites and communities, capital readiness support, and a final public showcase.
The goal is simple: deploy energy tech that works—for everyone to see, experience and inspire.
What COPILOT Offers
Whether you’re building grid-edge storage, deploying microgrids, or working on resilient infrastructure, COPILOT helps you get your tech in the field—with support at every step:
- Deploy your pilot in real-world, community-validated settings
- Match with partners through a curated Pilotathon matchmaking event – September 16, 2025, during Houston Energy & Climate Week
- Get expert training on LOIs, investor readiness, and business model validation
- Access mentorship, capital coaching, project financing and FOAK readiness, and scale-up support
- Showcase your pilot at the Energy Tech Market Event during CERAWeek
Who Should Apply
COPILOT is for startups that are ready to pilot their technology in the field.
We’re especially looking for teams focused on the following categories
COPILOT Categories
Power
Off-grid solar, battery storage, microgrids, and backup power for low-income or disaster-prone areas.
Buildings
Energy-efficient retrofits, electrification, HVAC upgrades, and smart systems for affordable housing.
Heat Supply
Tech that improves climate resilience at the neighborhood level—urban cooling, flood sensors, resilience hubs.
Renewable Fuels
Involves the development and use of sustainable fuels derived from renewable sources, such as biofuels, green hydrogen, and synthetic fuels, aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels and cutting carbon emissions.
Circularity
Systems for reuse, recycling, composting, or turning waste into community-benefiting resources.
Industry
Focuses on making industrial processes more sustainable — like reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and adopting cleaner production methods in sectors like manufacturing, chemicals, and heavy industry.
Mobility
Electric or shared transportation systems, EV charging.
Agriculture
Innovates sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, precision farming, and low-impact fertilizers, to minimize environmental impact while increasing productivity and preserving soil health.
Hydrogen
Works on producing, storing, and using hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, with a focus on green hydrogen made from renewable electricity to replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries.
Program Timeline
Dates
Phase
May 2025 – June 2025
Recruitment + Orientation
July 2025 – September 2025
Training + Roadmap Development
September 16, 2025
Pilotathon Community Matchmaking during Houston Energy and Climate Week
November 2025 – January 2026
LOI + Capital & FOAK Readiness
January 2026 – March 2026
Final Showcase during CERA Week
March 2026 – May 2026
Program Wrap up
Apply Now
Want to pilot your tech where it matters most?
Applications open now
Have questions? Email us.
Let’s pilot the future—together.
Partners
