NYC’s Premier Cleantech Incubator ACRE Awarded Startup Supporter of the Year by Northeast Clean Energy Council

ACRE, New York City’s hub for smart cities, smart grid, and clean energy at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, was chosen as the Startup Supporter of the Year by Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC). The award is given annually to an organization or individual for outstanding support of cleantech startups, entrepreneurs, and the growth of the cleantech innovation ecosystem in the Northeast.

The Urban Future Lab (UFL) at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering hosts several programs focused on educational, policy, and market solutions to the issues of sustainability. These includes ACRE, a business incubation program, a proof-of-concept center called PowerBridgeNY, and Clean Start, one of UFL’s educational programs.

“This award is an important milestone for ACRE, the Urban Future Lab as well as the entire Tandon Incubator network,” said Kurt Becker, vice dean for research, innovation and entrepreneurship. “Our startup support model is shaping tech ecosystems throughout the city and the region. This award acknowledges what we’ve accomplished and encourages us to further leverage technology in service to society.”

“We are grateful to the NECEC for this honor,” said Pat Sapinsley, managing director of cleantech initiatives at the UFL. “We share its dedication to growing the New York state and regional clean energy economy and will continue working with our terrific stable of entrepreneurs whose early-stage business ventures with innovative technologies and new business models are helping to create  a greener, smarter, and more connected world. To date, these companies have raised $100 million in direct investment from the private sector and $220 million in project finance dollars. This goes a long way toward growing a green economic sector in New York State. ”

The prestigious Startup Supporter of the Year award was announced at NECEC’s ninth annual Green Tie Gala on October 25th, which brought together more than 400 business leaders in the Northeast clean energy industry and featured a keynote address by Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo.

The Urban Future Lab (UFL) is a part of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering Future Labs ecosystem, which includes the Data Future Lab in SoHo as well as the Digital Future Lab and Bunker Labs NYC for veterans, both located in DUMBO. The Future Labs are the first public-private partnership with New York City tasked with creating a sustainable incubation program focusing on increasing the success rate of new ventures and generating economic impact.

Since its inception in 2009, the combined Future Labs have helped companies create more than 1,250 jobs, raise more than $145 million in capital and  generated a local economic impact of $352 million. Named one of the Top 10 Idea Labs in the United States by Worth magazine, it is one of the many ways the NYU Tandon School of Engineering utilizes technology in service to society.

Images at http://dam.poly.edu/?c=1837&k=a8c40d83ed

About the NYU Tandon School of Engineering
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering dates to 1854, when the New York University School of Civil Engineering and Architecture as well as the Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute (widely known as Brooklyn Poly) were founded. Their successor institutions merged in January 2014 to create a comprehensive school of education and research in engineering and applied sciences, rooted in a tradition of invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship and dedicated to furthering technology in service to society. In addition to its main location in Brooklyn, NYU Tandon collaborates with other schools within the country’s largest private research university and is closely connected to engineering programs in NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai. It operates business incubators in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and an award-winning online graduate program. More at engineering.nyu.edu.

About the NYU Urban Future Lab and ACRE
The Urban Future Lab (UFL) at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering is New York City’s premier innovation hub for smart cities, the smart grid, and clean energy. The UFL is home to programs focused on policy, education, and market solutions for the green economy. ACRE, the UFL’s flagship program, is a business incubator that supports the growth of high-impact early-stage venture companies addressing climate change. ACRE incubator companies receive 24/7 access to desk space and conference rooms at an office in Downtown Brooklyn, in addition to professional business advisory and support services (legal, accounting, design) and introductions to ACRE’s network of market partners, investors, mentors, and startup resources. The UFL and all its programs are supported by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), National Grid, Cushman & Wakefield, and Lowenstein Sandler. More at ufl.nyc.

About NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute)
NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward. More at www.necec.org.