SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center has received $1 million from the United States Department of Energy to further its clean energy accelerator initiatives. The funding comes as part of the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Round 3, Phase 2, announced by the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions on December 5. This initiative is a three-year cooperative agreement with five winners each receiving federal support.

Earlier this year, Arrowhead Center was awarded $150,000 during EPIC Round 3, Phase 1. This initial grant facilitated the launch of the Arrowhead RenewTech Incubator and Accelerator, aimed at advancing clean energy and water technologies in New Mexico.

The recent funding will enable the incubator to broaden its scope by supporting startups in energy and water technology sectors. Participants can either collaborate with national laboratory technologies or develop solutions to community and industry challenges using their innovations.

Dana Catron, interim director and CEO of Arrowhead Center, stated: “Arrowhead Center is committed to driving transformative innovation in New Mexico... By building a robust pipeline of innovation, we’re not only tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time but also creating opportunities that strengthen our state’s economy.”

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján emphasized the significance of this investment: “This $1 million investment will boost Arrowhead’s work and support cutting-edge innovations to address issues like critical energy-water challenges.”

The EPIC program is supported by various offices within the Department of Energy including OTT, Office of Grid Deployment, and Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. Vanessa Z. Chan from OTT highlighted its importance: “The EPIC program represents a strategic investment in one of our nation’s best job creation catalysts – the incubator and accelerator community.”