OTT: What do you think about the value the Heartland Climate Tech Partnership provides?
AG: The biggest undertaking so far has been building and managing the three new climate technology accelerators. The collaboration has allowed us to strengthen our relationships with key partners throughout the greater Midwest region by identifying ways we can support each other's programs and more effectively transfer knowledge across organizations. In addition, our Heartland website is a great resource directory for any entrepreneur who may not know where to start in terms of what is available to them in the Midwest. Prior to this collaboration, there was no single agency to find accelerators, lab space, scholarships and other resources available across the region. Additionally, we hold monthly check-in calls with our partners to share lessons learned and often think about ways we can support affiliates through our connections and resources. There is so much crossover in our work.
IA: Yes, I would emphasize that OTT funding really helped these three accelerators get off the ground. But just as important, it allowed them to go to market themselves and secure additional dollars. In terms of value, there is a ton of community building and cross-pollination that benefits startups. For example, we've had Centrepolis-backed companies that Evergreen then invested in (e.g. MAREL, Enspired Solutions) or startups that won one of our Innovator Awards that then went through mHUB's Accelerator program (e.g. .eg Kazadi Enterprises, Aeternal Upcycling).
OTT: What have been some of the milestones achieved and lessons learned since starting Heartland?
AG: To date, 48 hardtech startups have been supported through the 3 Heartland accelerator programs. Of these, 32 of the companies have an underrepresented founder or are working on a solution that benefits underserved communities, and so far, 9 of the companies have launched products or services during or after the program period.
One thing that has become very apparent is the importance of keeping communication channels open and finding ways to cross-pollinate where possible. For example, in 2022, Evergreen received an additional $50,000 from OTT as an EPIC Award Round 2 semi-finalist to create a structured sales support program for diverse founders across our portfolio, addressing the lack of training and resources available to founders energy hardtech. We were able to hire a sales consultant to work with our portfolio companies and extended that offer to companies in the Heartland Climate Tech Partnership.
Recently, mHUB was awarded the Second Stage Award of the 2023 US Small Business Administration Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, which will give Heartland backers access to skilled supply chain experts. Having this partnership has helped us better serve the startups in need across our organizations.
