Black & Veatch’s Incubator Launches Climate Tech Accelerator Program to Speed New Decarbonization Solutions

‘IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator’ looks to speed the development of decarbonization and sustainable technology innovations

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognizing the world is in a climate-driven crisis, global engineering, construction and consulting leader Black & Veatch is seeking bold, committed partners to accelerate development of decarbonization solutions through its IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator. The Climate Tech Accelerator is an innovative 12-week virtual program that provides funding and support to startup companies on the cutting edge of climate technology. Applications can be found on the IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator website starting September 29, 2021.

Launched in 2019, the IgniteX Accelerator program pairs Black & Veatch with selected startups, providing opportunities for mentorship, co-development of technology, access to the company’s vast network of subject matter experts, go-to-market support, investor introductions and up to $50,000 in equity funding. Applications will be accepted through November 3, 2021.

“As the world faces the increasing impacts of climate change, the need for inventive decarbonization solutions is greater than ever,” said Ryan Pletka, Vice President of Innovation & Strategy at Black & Veatch. “At Black & Veatch, we are committed to bolstering climate innovations that will make a difference at this pivotal moment by sharing our company’s vast resources and intellectual capital with innovators at the forefront of climate technology. We are proud to build upon the success of the initial IgniteX accelerators and looking forward to helping to accelerate the path to net zero.”

Desired topics of innovation include carbon capture and utilization, hydrogen, ammonia, fugitive methane emissions, consulting and road mapping, carbon-neutral construction materials, circular economy and more.

Black & Veatch is a global engineering, consulting and construction company committed to innovating and deploying the newest sustainable infrastructure technologies. The IgniteX program is the external branch of the company’s Growth Accelerator, which has internal and external programs to discover unique opportunities and drive their rapid, profitable growth. The IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator joins the Growth Accelerator to support external entrepreneurial efforts toward engineering climate solutions in infrastructure.

“At Black & Veatch, we foster a company culture that cherishes and uplifts new ideas and innovations. With our IgniteX challenges, we are able to extend that attitude outside the company, ensuring entrepreneurs seeking to change the world have the support and resources to do so,” said Steffanie Edwards-Häfele, managing director with Black & Veatch and co-lead of this year’s program.

The Climate Tech Accelerator marks Black & Veatch’s third annual IgniteX Challenge. Past challenges include the inaugural CleanTech Accelerator in 2019 and the COVID Response Accelerator in 2020. Since its creation, IgniteX has received more than 400 applications, made $1 million in grants, investments and in-kind services, and supported 25 startup companies and emerging technologies.

Editor’s Notes:

• For more information about the IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator, including an application form, visit bv.com/ignite
• Applications to the IgniteX Climate Tech Accelerator will be accepted from September 29, 2021 to November 3, 2021. The participants will be announced in January 2022, followed by the program start in Q1 of 2022.

About Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch is an employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Our revenues in 2020 exceeded US$3.0 billion. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.