energy.gov/sunshot 7.10.2015 | Innovation Exchange

Disclaimer: All details necessary to compete in the SunShot Catalyst prize program are provided in the official rules document. The information provided in this presentation is not intended to amend, modify or substitute details provided in the SunShot Catalyst official rules. Information presented should be used in conjunction with the official rules. In addition, any reference in presentation to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or preference by the Department of Energy. Visit catalyst.energy.gov

SUNSHOT IS SOLAR’S MOONSHOT MOMENT

Soft costs make up

64%

of total price of

residential system

Calls to Innovate

Solar Soft Cost

Open Data Prizes

5

Catalyst transforms raw ideas into real solar startups

Michael

ContrerasFellow

ex-rocket scientist

Ammar

QusaibatyTech Advisor

ex-venture

capitalist

Craig ConnellySpecial Advisor

ex-CFO + ex-COO

SUPER COMMUNITY IS A FORCE MULTIPLIER

Catalyst is lean, agile, and open

IDEATION

• Crowdsource problems

• Voting and comments

• Roadshow

PITCH• Problem/Solution

fit• Video Pitch• Online Resume

PROTOTYPE

• NREL Data• Appirio/Topcoder• 17 Teams • 1 Demo Day

INCUBATE

• 5 Teams• Product/Market

Fit• Staged $$$

Q2 ‘15

Q2 ‘14

Q3 ‘14

Q4 ‘14

Q1 ‘15

A process that delivers real results . . .

May 2014: Program launches

June 2014 : Adam Cohen submits problem statement titled, “Sharing Nicely: From Social Networks to Social Solar,” to the SunShot Catalyst Ideation Contest. Ideation prize winners receive $1k.

IDEATION

BUSINESS INNOVATION

PROTOTYPE

INCUBATE

October 2014: George Koutitas submits video pitch and writes, “With Gridmates, rooftop solar owners can now share their surplus of electricity with those in need.”December 2014: Gridmates is selected along with a cohort of 17 to move on to prototyping with $25k to work on Topcoder platform

January-April 2015: Gridmates works with Topcoder to develop an Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

May 2015: George is 1 of 5 $30k winners at Demo Day with option to win $70k pending 6 month performance

Small team, BIG impact!

17xthe projects 10x

cost reduction*

50%faster*

*Comparisons made using standard US three-phase SBIR/STTR awards. See https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sbir

$30B DOE Budget

$2M Catalyst Budget

Small team, BIG impact!

17xthe projects 10x

cost reduction*

50%faster*

*Comparisons made using standard US three-phase SBIR/STTR awards. See https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sbir

$30B DOE Budget

$2M Catalyst Budget

Small team, BIG impact!

17xthe projects 10x

cost reduction*

50%faster*

*Comparisons made using standard US three-phase SBIR/STTR awards. See https://www.sbir.gov/about/about-sbir

$30B DOE Budget

$2M Catalyst Budget

13

SPECIAL THANKS:

Traction for next cycle

FEATURED IN:

14

Tomorrow's Solar Startups Launched by People Like You | catalyst.energy.gov