Power Connectors

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Power Connectors are a select group of industry leaders within the American-Made Network that have been contracted to support prize participants and program objectives.

Power Connectors have proven invaluable to competitors’ experiences, and they continue to be key partners in the American-Made program—extending the reach and improving the diversity and inclusivity of the network overall. In the past five years, nearly $4 million has been invested in more than 25 Power Connectors in cities across the United States to enable team support and technical assistance.

Power Connectors offer specific support that goes above and beyond the responsibilities of other members of the American-Made Network, such as:

  • Providing mentorship and coaching to advance team knowledge and connect teams to the resources required to be successful
  • Offering pitch consulting to improve presentations and pitch session successes
  • Enhancing prize recruitment efforts to bring in new and diverse participants
  • Developing educational models and curricula to help applicants better understand how to navigate prize competitions and other opportunities within the U.S. Department of Energy
  • Offering technical assistance and focused support to prize competitors
  • Assisting in metrics tracking and reporting across funding applications
  • Hosting events and meetings to advance program implementation goals.
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Who are the Power Connectors

Power Connector organizations are carefully chosen based on their industry experience and the support they can offer competitors.

    ADL Ventures

    , Boston, MA

    ADL Ventures works to support climate tech startups at scale in areas that include new venture strategy, go-to-market strategy, capital strategy and fundraising, non-dilutive funding strategy and execution, market insights and team development.

    American Association of Blacks in Energy

    , Washington, D.C.

    The American Association of Blacks in Energy is a national association of energy professionals founded and dedicated to ensure the input of African Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policies regulations, research and development (R&D) technologies, and environmental issues.

    Banks & Company

    , Lansing and Detroit, MI; Washington, D.C.

    Banks & Company is a public relations and marketing company with expertise that spans strategy, marketing, diversity and inclusion, and reputation management, offering comprehensive advice across all sectors.

    Bluewater Network

    , North Kingstown, RI

    Bluewater Network is a consulting firm that helps companies evaluate existing business models and identify opportunities to adopt circular economy principles that deliver tangible social, environmental, and economic benefits.

    University of Arizona Center for Innovation

    , Tucson, AZ

    The University of Arizona Center for Innovation offers leaders of science and technology startups the expertise, incubation programs, and office and lab space needed to turn ideas and inventions into strong, scalable and sustainable businesses.

    Clean Energy Business Network

    , Washington, D.C.

    Clean Energy Business Network is the small business voice of the clean energy economy, working to enhance opportunities for clean energy providers through policy support, market and technology information, and business development.

    Encolor Consulting

    , Las Vegas, NV

    Encolor Consulting provides diagnostic, analysis, planning, and implementation support for individuals and organizations as they navigate through their cultural journey, bringing a lens of inclusiveness that results in a more diverse, equitable, and just organization.

    InnoVector Tech (IVT)

    , Raleigh, NC

    IVT is a technical management and strategic communications firm that helps organizations tackle real-world challenges, bridge gaps, and develop innovative solutions that have the potential to make a difference in the world.

    Intellectual Assets, Inc.

    , Portland, OR

    Intellectual Assets is an extensive network of R&D and licensing professionals that deliver a suite of intellectual property (IP) products and management services across an array of industries, with a focus on helping companies build value in IP assets and then capturing that value.

    MSI STEM Research & Development Consortium (MSRDC)

    , Washington, D.C.

    MSRDC is a collective of high-performing researchers and collaborative partners on a mission to elevate research.

    Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technical University

    , Southfield, MI

    Centrepolis Accelerator is accelerating the growth of Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, innovative hardware entrepreneurs, and small manufacturers by providing access to funding, experts, and key business and product development resources.

    Positive Deviancy

    , Sterling, VA

    Positive Deviancy is helping to accelerate the development of new technologies that can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

    Research Triangle Institute

    , Triangle Park, NC

    Research Triangle Institute is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition by providing expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development.

    San Diego State University Foundation

    , San Diego, CA

    The San Diego State University Foundation is a nonprofit auxiliary corporation founded to support and further the vision and research objectives of San Diego State University and to help faculty and staff find, attract, and administer their research and sponsored programs.

    VentureWell

    , Hadley, MA

    VentureWell is growing, funding, and training a pipeline of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) innovators and entrepreneurs driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges.

    Yet2

    , Waltham, MA

    Yet2 is an open innovation services company working for an international corporate client base, leveraging a proprietary database of several million startups and solution providers to scout cutting-edge companies and technology beyond the reach of most clients.

The American-Made program periodically puts out requests for applications for the Power Connector program. Sign up for the American-Made Newsletter to learn about future opportunities.

How Power Connectors Support Prize Competitors

Some American-Made prizes utilize Power Connectors to support competitors from launch to conclusion. Prize administrators will select several Power Connectors to support their competition based on that Power Connectors’ area of expertise.

Power Connectors contracted to support a prize may amplify recruitment efforts, host informational webinars ahead of the prize submission deadline, or hold office hours to field questions from potential applicants.

To learn more about Power Connector support may be available for the prize you are applying to or competing in, visit the prize’s HeroX page.