SWIM

Supporting Water Innovation & Marketplace
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), and led by Fedsprout in collaboration with Cleantech Open Northeast, we are advancing the commercialization of hydropower and marine energy technologies across the Northeastern U.S. SWIM activates a demand- led pathway—from discovery to pilots, grants, and scale, so innovators can acquire financing and deploy faster.

PROGRAM PHASES

SWIM unfolds in two complementary phases. Phase 1 establishes the foundation and design for the accelerator, and Phase 2 launches and operates the accelerator program offering a structured set of support, mentorship, and market pathways for innovators. SWIM helps innovators move from early-stage ideas to funded projects and real-world deployment.

1

PHASE 1 – FRAMEWORK
Phase 1 builds the framework for a tailored accelerator focused on water power innovation. It consists of three stages that collectively define the program’s direction and readiness
Stage 1
Gap Assessment
Identify stakeholder needs, entrepreneurial challenges, and gaps within the hydropower and marine energy innovation ecosystem across the Northeastern U.S.
Stage 2
Accelerator Design
Design the accelerator around 6 challenge areas: Technology & Prototyping; Regulatory & Permitting; Market Readiness; Manufacturing & Supply Chain; Site Deployment & Operations; Workforce & Community Integration.
Stage 3
Refinement & Readiness
Refine the program design and implementation plan based on stakeholder input; finalize the structure; and prepare for the Phase 2 accelerator launch.
The outcome of Phase 1 is a fully designed accelerator program ready for launch in Phase 2.

2

PHASE 2 – ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Phase 2 will implement the accelerator bringing together startups, researchers, utilities, and investors to advance the commercialization of hydropower and marine energy technologies. The specific offerings will be finalized during Phase 1, but may include the following program elements:
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