MEIA recently wrapped up another Phase 0 Pre-Accelerator cohort, this time with eight early-stage startups tackling climate challenges across sectors like energy, construction, agtech, and waste. Over the summer, these teams were guided by experienced entrepreneurs and experts to understand the fortitude and steps to build a venture.
One of the highlights of the program was a Speed Mentoring session held at the Innovation Station Business Incubator in partnership with PGCEDC. Ten climate and cleantech professionals from across Maryland joined us for rapid fire mentoring session. Huge thanks to our expert mentors, Harold Chamberlin Green, Peter Ettinger, Sergio Obadia, Christine Davies, Chris LaRosa, Manoj Koranne, Nathan Arbitman, Richard Wilson, John Reziayan, and Brooke Smallwood, for generously sharing their time and insight. Their input helped founders gain clarity, test assumptions, and strengthen go-to-market strategies.
Also a big thank you to our dedicated facilitators, Edmund Pendleton, Helen Manich, Kobby Ose-Kusi, Josh Cabel, and others, who once again brought invaluable expertise, practical frameworks, and thoughtful encouragement to every session.
We’re grateful to UMD I-Corps, Mtech, and PGCEDC for their continued partnership and support in making this program a success.
More on the cohort:
- Iceberg Sustainable –Extracts 99% of plastic waste and converts it into Balkrete, a carbon-negative, lightweight aggregate that’s LEED-compliant and thermally efficient, offering an innovative, scalable solution for greener construction.
- Chargezilla – An AI-powered platform that unites EV drivers, site hosts, and charger networks to make charging smarter, more accessible, and easier to monetize—backed by Techstars, J.P. Morgan, and others.
- Slip Signal Technologies – Developed a patented method for eliminating electromagnetic interference (EMI) at the chip level, removing the need for shielding or post-design fixes in digital electronics.
- AI Sense – Uses AI to provide invisible fencing and predictive crop monitoring—helping farmers prevent losses from wildlife, frost, and disease while improving resilience and productivity.
- Solryx – Offers solar-integrated roofing that blends seamlessly with asphalt shingles and installs with standard roofing practices, streamlining solar adoption for homeowners and builders alike.
- Balance Point – A data-driven heat pump sizing tool that uses utility data to calculate real-world heating loads, helping contractors and utilities ensure right-sized, high-performance HVAC installations.
- Living Energy Lights – Designs affordable, solar-powered battery kits for off-grid and energy-insecure homes, powering essential devices and working toward scaled manufacturing and broader impact.
- Slash – An on-demand compost pickup service modeled after gig platforms like DoorDash, focused on bringing food waste diversion and local soil solutions to small towns and rural areas.
We’re proud to support these founders as they build the next generation of climate tech solutions. Interested in joining the next Pre-Accelerator cohort—or ready to jump straight into Phase 1?
MEIA is always looking for high-potential climate tech teams ready to move their innovation forward. Apply here to get started.