Caltech Rocket CleanTech Innovation & Sustainability Grant

Grant Overview

Caltech Rocket Fund 2025 – $100K CleanTech Innovation & Sustainability Grant

Donor: Caltech Resnick Sustainability Institute

About: The Caltech Rocket Fund 2025 represents a transformative opportunity for cleantech innovators and sustainability-focused entrepreneurs, offering substantial non-equity grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. This prestigious funding program is specifically designed to bridge the critical gap between laboratory innovation and commercial success in the cleantech sector.

The program stands out for its comprehensive approach to supporting emerging technologies, combining financial backing with invaluable industry connections. Recipients gain direct access to California’s major utilities and their funding programs, creating a powerful springboard for market entry. The fund’s unique structure enables rapid deployment of resources, with successful applicants receiving funding within six months of selection.

What sets the Rocket Fund apart is its extensive network of strategic partnerships. Through collaborations with renowned institutions like the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), IN2 Wells Fargo, NREL, and the Shell Game Changer program, grant recipients can access additional voucher programs for crucial lab testing and product validation. This ecosystem of support extends to accelerator programs through Aditya Birla and Halliburton Labs.

Need expert guidance with your Rocket Fund application? Grantaura’s specialized team can help maximize your chances of success. Our comprehensive services include grant research, business plan development, financial planning, project documentation, and full application support. With our track record in cleantech funding, we can help position your innovation for maximum impact.

Focus: Building Technologies, Transportation Technologies, Energy Technologies, Agriculture & Food Technologies, Water Technologies, Climate Technologies, Environmental Technologies, Sustainability Solutions, Industrial Decarbonization, Software Platforms for Cleantech

Region: California, United States

Eligibility:
-Companies must be incorporated or in the process of incorporation
-Equity investment must not exceed $4 million at application deadline
–Rounds exceeding this limit during the Rocket Fund process are acceptable
-Faculty members, students, recent graduates, post-doctoral researchers
-Independent entrepreneurs and startup founders
-National and international companies
–Must establish California presence
–Must be legally able to operate in the US
–Must have a US corporate bank account
-Must have or be finalizing a demonstration site with either:
–Customer facility
–Accepted “gold standard” lab testing facility
-Must be able to complete prototype development within 12 months
-Software platforms qualifying with innovative solutions supporting RF track sectors

Benefits:
-Non-equity grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000
-Fast funding deployment within 6 months
-Access to California’s major utilities and funding programs
-Industry expert connections and mentorship
-Additional funding opportunities through partner programs
–IN2 Wells Fargo program (up to $250,000)
–Shell Game Changer accelerator
–EPRI collaboration opportunities
-Lab testing and validation vouchers
-Product-to-market expert guidance
-Early investor networking opportunities

Deadline: March 3, 2025

Terms:
-TRL (Technology Readiness Levels): Department of Energy scale measuring technology development stages
–TRL 5: Early system validation in laboratory/limited field application
–TRL 6: Early field demonstration and system refinements
–TRL 7: Complete system demonstration in operational environment
-EPRI: Electric Power Research Institute, leading independent research organization
-MCP: Minimum Commercial Prototype
-SOM: Serviceable Obtainable Market, initial market segment of early adopters
-TAC: Technology Advisory Committee, expert panel reviewing applications
-LOI: Letter of Intent, formal expression of interest to apply