The world today, more rapidly than ever before, is changing around us. In recent years, fires, floods, historic storms, and war have seemed to highlight the fragility of everything from weather systems and the natural environment to the networks that deliver our food, goods, and energy.

Thankfully, founders from all backgrounds and walks of life are rising to the immense challenge of rethinking energy, manufacturing, resiliency, and more in the face of such change. Together they’re creating a future that is more accessible and environmentally sound.

500 Global wants to help build this future faster.

To do so, we’re announcing a focus on sustainable technologies within 500 Global’s Flagship Accelerator in San Francisco. With this focus, we are seeking to invest in sustainable technology startups, help position them for downstream capital, and connect them to a community of mentors and fellow founders where together they can thrive. 

Startups tackling our world’s most challenging climate and environmental problems are encouraged to apply to our four month program. 

What are we looking for?

We want founders who are thinking big and willing a better future into existence while also approaching these problems with pragmatism. 

Broadly speaking, we’re looking for companies in the following areas:

• Distribution: grid transformation, repair, financing, measurement, and auditing
• Application: storage, creative financing, consumer and corporate infrastructure, HVAC, EV Charging, interconnection, auditing and compliance
• Recycle and Refuse: systems, software, and products that create circularity in energy components
• Generation: solar, wind, nuclear, and more

That said, we’re also interested in sustainable technology adjacent spaces, as well such as Agtech, proptech, foodtech, and transportation.

We especially see opportunity in a few crosscutting problems: 

• Regulation Technology (RegTech)
  • As new regulations governing pollutants and resource use come into effect around the world, we see opportunities for software to aid in the measurement, reporting, and compliance with those laws. 
• Grid resiliency (APIs for distributed energy resources, storage, system monitoring, fintech innovation, and more)
  • Challenges to grid stability have environmental, economic, health, and security implications and a failure to bring more resilient energy systems alongside environmental benefits risks jeopardizing progress in this space.
• Project management, installation, and finance
  • Adoption of existing technologies is still incredibly unpredictable, expensive, and difficult to finance. We see opportunity and a need for systems that streamline the adoption process for individuals, companies, and governments.

Why 500?

We’re not strangers to sustainable technologies. Companies in the space that have participated in the Global Flagship Accelerator Program in the past include OhmConnect, GridCure, and EcoCart. Each is tackling important pieces of the energy and climate challenge.

Participating companies will have access to founders from portfolio companies in the sector for guidance. There will also be sector-specific mentorship and programming.

At 500, we are also founder first. We offer 1:1 support through the lens of both VCs and founders. You will have the ability to interact with mentors and investors who have built companies themselves and know how hard it is to raise funds, hire and retain employees, and keep fighting to turn a dream into reality.

We have industry connections, top notch mentors, and global reach. 

And, you will join a family of other amazing founders — perhaps 500 Global’s best asset. As part of our Global Flagship Accelerator you will work alongside impactful, successful, and humble entrepreneurs as you build your own startup.

Join us!

Are you running sustainable tech startup today? Apply now.

Do you know a founder running a sustainable tech startup? Tell them to apply now. 

Colter Miller, Data Manager at 500 Global, contributed to this post.