Dash Clean Energy Participates in MBE Clean Energy Conversation with US Department of Energy Sec. Granholm
On March 9th, the US Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by climate tech incubator and home of Dash Clean Energy’s Houston HQ, Greentown Labs.
During the roundtable, Secretary Granholm highlighted President Joe Biden's administration's climate and energy transition accomplishments. The roundtable also featured Dash Clean Energy’s CEO and Founder, Gordon Dash, along with several minority business leaders and startups at various stages of funding and commercialization.
Granholm discussed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in August 2022, which allocated $370 billion in funding for climate technology innovation through grants and tax credits. The passage of this bill reflects the Biden administration's commitment to addressing the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. She noted that additional incentives were available for relocating to underserved communities, allowing startups to maximize the funding benefits.
Dash Clean Energy and the startups at the roundtable were recognized as critical to achieving these goals. By developing and deploying innovative climate technologies, they can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, these startups often need more technical and financial challenges, hindering their growth and impact.
The roundtable allowed startups to engage with Granholm and other leaders in the local climate tech industry. By sharing their experiences and insights, they can help shape policies and funding programs that better support the needs of climate tech startups. The presence of minority business leaders also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the climate tech industry, which is critical to ensuring that the benefits of climate tech innovation are shared equitably.
“We apply for government technology, we go toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies, and I think (it's) a missed opportunity to not reward a small business,”
Gordon Dash shared his experience competing for Department of Energy grants. “We apply for government technology, we go toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies, and I think (it's) a missed opportunity to not reward a small business,” Dash said.
Dash's concerns reflect the challenges many small climate tech startups face, which may need help to compete with larger, more established companies for funding and resources. While federal funding programs like the DOE grants are critical to supporting climate tech innovation, there is a need for more tailored support and resources for small businesses and startups.
Overall, the roundtable discussion underscores the importance of collaboration and partnership in driving progress toward a sustainable future. With the support of the government, industry, and civil society, climate tech startups like Dash Clean Energy can continue to innovate and make a meaningful impact on the climate crisis.
