The Spark Innovation Center at the University of Tennessee Research Park is proud to announce a new partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) that aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technology innovations.
Donor Name: Spark Innovation Center
State: Tennessee
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 05/16/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
Under this partnership, TVA will sponsor the Spark Cleantech Accelerator, a flagship program within the Spark Innovation Center dedicated to nurturing early-stage cleantech companies.
The mission is to support early stage cleantech businesses and drive commercialization of their technologies by leveraging the unique science and technology resources of East Tennessee.
The program provides mentorship, connections, stipends, prototyping services, and business acceleration services to early stage cleantech entrepreneurs to help commercialize new innovations.
The Spark Cleantech Accelerator curriculum focuses on four key areas, with a tangible deliverable associated with each: Product, Business Model, Finance, and Pitch.
Focus Areas
The collaboration between the Spark Innovation Center and TVA will focus on several key objectives:
- Identifying and Supporting Promising Startups: The partnership will seek out cleantech startups that align with TVA’s technology priorities, providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
- Providing Mentorship and Technical Assistance: Startups will benefit from expert guidance, technical assistance, and access to crucial resources to advance their technologies.
- Facilitating Industry Connections: The partnership will create opportunities for startups to connect with TVA and other key industry partners, fostering collaboration and growth.
- Creating Opportunities for Pilot Projects: The partnership will also facilitate pilot projects and the commercialization of innovative cleantech solutions, driving real-world impact.
Technology Interest Areas
- Renewable Energy Generation
- Energy Storage & Integration
- Energy Efficiency
- Advanced Nuclear Solutions
- Carbon Capture
- Alternative Fuels
- Grid reliability, resiliency and stability
- Future Mobility
- Circular Economy
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Built Environment.
Funding Information
A $15,000 equity-free stipend to help defray travel and living costs and to support business and technical milestones.
Program Period
The Spark Cleantech Accelerator is a 12-week program that kicks off late August at the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee. The 2025 Spark Cleantech Accelerator will begin on Aug. 25, 2025 and end on Nov. 20, 2025.
Eligibility Criteria
- Application from Tennessee, the Midwest, and beyond.
- Companies that show strong market potential and defensible intellectual property, with issued patents or pending patents filed.
- Those who demonstrate their technology can support the challenges and needs of Spark partners.
- Those that create software of hardware technologies including intelligent connected devices, advanced materials process, with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2-6.
- Applicants who are open to Tennessee as a permanent business location.
For more information, visit Spark Innovation Center.
