SOUTHFIELD—The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University has launched a
new program called the C 3 Accelerator for green technology companies working in the cleantech,
climatech, and circular economy industries.

The new accelerator, funded in part by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy (EGLE), New Economy Initiative (NEI) and the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN 2 ), will
offer a total pool of $275,000 in funding including grants, no equity interest-free investments, and
services to support product development and scaling of cleantech, climatech, and circular economy
technologies. In general, these technologies have a positive impact to energy efficiency, generate
renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, replace non-renewable materials, preserve clean
water, and promote recycling, upcycling, and the circular economy.

Accelerator services include free or discounted product design, engineering, prototyping, testing, and
validation, along with pilot and demonstration project cost sharing, assistance from experts-in-
residence, design for manufacturability assessments, and supply chain development support. The
Accelerator will also offer assistance in applying for federal grants and connections to universities,
national laboratories, customers, strategic partners and investors.

“EGLE is supporting the C 3 Accelerator as it supports our mission on a number of fronts, including
development of new manufacturing companies here in the Michigan as well as the launch of cleantech
and circular economy products that provide impact to our state’s improved energy efficiency and
sustainability initiatives,” said Robert Jackson, assistant division director and energy ombudsman at
EGLE. “This is of critical importance to our goals of reducing harmful emissions by 28 percent below
1999 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 as well as tripling our recycling rate to 45 percent
recovery rates.”

C 3 is a growth stage accelerator focused on proven technologies that need help with customer
adoptions for specific applications and scaling. Individual grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000
per client. Equity free, zero-interest $15,000 investments will also be available, with a success fee
added if a product achieves market success. Thanks to funding provided by EGLE, NEI and IN 2 , a
portion of these investments will be dedicated to support ventures led by women, people of color,
veterans, and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.

“Centrepolis was recently presented with a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Channel Partner Award
from the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator. This was a competitive award and we were impressed
with Centrepolis’ proven track record of supporting cleantech ventures led by women, people of color,
veterans and other underrepresented entrepreneurs. Their new C 3 Accelerator and approach to
partnering with other organizations that also support promising groups of underserved cleantech
companies is expected to provide exposure and opportunities important to our program’s objectives,”
said Trish Cozart, program manager of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator.

The accelerator also plans an annual C 3 Accelerator Business Showcase Pitch Event, tentatively
planned to begin Aug. 26, allowing companies to present to a large group of potential customers,
partners, and investors.

The deadline to apply to become a client of the C 3 Accelerator is Monday, May 31. To apply to the
program, visit this link: https://www.centrepolisaccelerator.com/Programs/. An informational
webinar is also scheduled for March 16 from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern time. To register, visit this link:
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=57mfre4ab&oeidk=a07ehm40u2eb5ef7279.

Clients may be based anywhere in the world, but must agree to set up Michigan operations or have
customers or strategic partners in Michigan to qualify for funding. For more information, contact Dan
Radomski, executive director of the Centrepolis Accelerator, at 248.721.3192 or [email protected] .

“The C 3 Accelerator is focused on identify the best in class cleantech, climatech and circular economy
technologies, no matter where they reside in the world, and finding pathways for these promising
innovations into Michigan to support our state’s goals for reducing emissions, improving energy
efficiency and recycling rates,” Radomski said. “We want these companies to come here to Michigan
to manufacture their products as well as demonstrate and scale their technologies with local partners.
We are grateful to have the support of EGLE, Wells Fargo, New Economy Initiative and others to
support this important program, including the commitment to support cleantech ventures led by
women, people of color, veterans and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.”

Funding partners in the accelerator include LTU, the city of Southfield, the U.S. Department of
Energy’s Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize, EGLE, NEI, and the Wells Fargo
Innovation Incubator (IN 2 ). Many organizations are supporting this program, specifically to encourage
participation of underrepresented entrepreneurs including Bunker Labs, Clean Energy Trust, Michigan
Women Forward, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Innovative Energy
Business Council, and the Women in Cleantech and Sustainability.

The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University is accelerating the growth of
Michigan’s cleantech, advanced manufacturing, innovative hardware entrepreneurs and small
manufacturers by providing access to funding, experts and key business and product development
resources. Visit centrepolisaccelerator.com.