SOMERVILLE, MA, June 10, 2025 - ACT has welcomed 42 startups from across the Northeast, the Mid Atlantic and overseas into its 2025 Cleantech Open Northeast cohort. Selected from a pool of 78 applicants, this year’s cohort is diverse and extremely driven to commercialize high-impact solutions to improve the environment and combat climate change.

“This year’s Cleantech Open Northeast cohort is a powerful signal of what’s possible when innovation meets purpose,” said Joe Curtatone, President of the Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT). “These founders are more than entrepreneurs; they are problem-solvers, community builders, and climate leaders. At ACT, we see our role as helping these startups scale their impact, connect with the policy and business ecosystems they need to thrive, and turn their bold ideas into lasting solutions. This cohort gives me hope in the face of mounting climate and economic uncertainty. Not just for what they’ll build in the next six months, but for the better future they’re helping all of us realize.”

Beth Zonis, Senior Director of Cleantech Open Northeast, ACT, stated: “In this year of uncertainty, it’s not only reassuring but also uplifting to see the drive and innovation of the entrepreneurs in this year’s cohort. They are facing headwinds, they are determined to make a positive impact on the environment while developing their businesses. They are prepared to do what it takes.”

CTONE's six-month accelerator began this week with its in-person Cleantech Open National Academy East hosted by Foley Hoag in Boston. For two days, the startups collaborated with each other and with volunteer facilitators. They began testing their assumptions about their startups as they practiced some of the skills that they will develop during the accelerator. They touched on several of the topics that they will delve into in more detail, such as Business Model Canvas, Customer Discovery, calculating their Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Potential, Finance 101, Fundraising, Pitching, Legal Topics, and much more. The connections they began to form with fellow founders will serve them well as they build and grow their businesses. Over the next few months, the startups will develop and refine their business models and business plans. In September, after completing all of their Cleantech Open deliverables, they will pitch to panels of judges who will then select six finalists to pitch on stage at the Cleantech Open Northeast Regional Finals in New York and compete for cash prizes.

“Accelerators like Cleantech Open Northeast are critical connection points in the region's climate innovation economy,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “MassCEC is excited to welcome this year’s cohort, and we look forward to working with these innovators as they create thriving businesses and good jobs here in Massachusetts and beyond. Now more than ever, it’s essential for states, nonprofits, and industry players to collaborate and support climatetech entrepreneurs as they seek to commercialize cutting-edge climate solutions. Their success drives our success.”

On September 18, the Finals Showcase and Awards Celebration will be hosted by Newlab in Brooklyn, New York. All graduating startups will showcase their ventures and six finalists will pitch before a panel of judges and a live audience. Four regional winners will each receive a $10,000 cash prize. In addition, three startups will win specialty cash prizes. Thanks to the continued support from the Sire Foundation, Cleantech Open Northeast will once again offer a $10,000 2025 Carbon Sequestration/CCUS Prize and a $10,000 2025 Cleantech Open Ag/Food/Land Use Prize. Thanks to the generosity of Xylem, there is also a $12,500 2025 Cleantech Open Water Prize. The regional winners and finalists will progress to compete for the National Grand Prize at the Cleantech Open Global Forum at VERGE in San Jose, CA, in October.

The 2025 cohort includes startups from almost every state in the region: 11 from Massachusetts, 11 from New Jersey, 5 from New York, 4 from Maine, 3 from Rhode Island, 1 from Delaware, 1 from New Hampshire, 1 from Pennsylvania, 1 from Canada, and 4 from Europe and Asia.

Ventures participating in the 2025 cohort represent a range of cleantech sectors, including 9 in Energy Distribution & Storage, 6 in Energy Efficiency, 6 in Energy Generation, 5 in Green Building, 3 in Agriculture, 3 in Chemicals & Advanced Materials, 3 in Transportation, 3 in Waste, 2 in Information & Communications Technology, and 2 in Water.

A full list of participating companies is available here.

This year, a new topic is about the Cleantech Landscape. This theme which will be touched on throughout the accelerator will address opportunities and threats and enable the startups to focus on the messaging that will be most beneficial. There is also an emphasis on positioning the startups for success through inclusion strategies. 

Regarding diversity, 56% of the startups have a female or an LGBTQ founder. Overall, 79% of the startups have a founder from an underrepresented community (including women, LGBTQ, PWD, or military servicepeople).

Cleantech Open Northeast is grateful for the continued support of Regional Premier Sponsor MassCEC and the Gold-level sponsorship of NYSERDA. In 2025, Cleantech Open Northeast added ecoCFO and Mitsubishi Corporation as new Bronze sponsors. Due to the continuing support from the State of New Jersey through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (NJ CSIT), New Jersey is tied with Massachusetts for the highest number of startups in the cohort this year. ‍

About Cleantech Open Northeast‍

Cleantech Open Northeast is the Northeast region of Cleantech Open and is managed by ACT as the on-the-ground affiliate. Cleantech Open is the world’s oldest and largest cleantech accelerator and is dedicated to providing entrepreneurs and technologists with the resources needed to launch a successful cleantech company. Its mission is to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges. Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise, and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies. Fueled by a network of more than 2,000 volunteers, Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making America’s cleantech sector a thriving economic engine. Between 2005 and 2024, Cleantech Open Northeast trained more than 642 early-stage clean technology startups through its annual business accelerator. Over 60% of Cleantech Open Northeast alumni are still in business or have had a successful exit. Cleantech Open Northeast alumni have raised more than $2 billion, created more than 7,800 clean economy jobs, and generated more than $696 million in revenue. Visit cleantechopen.org.‍

About The Alliance for Climate Transition (ACT)‍

ACT 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. ACT includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council, a nonprofit business member organization, and ACT Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and strategic communications). ACT’s innovation program includes Cleantech Open Northeast, the Northeast affiliate of the national cleantech accelerator Cleantech Open, and Cleantech Navigate, which provides cleantech startups with curated connections to mentors, test sites, customers, corporate partners, and investors. ACT 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. Visit www.joinact.org.