Market-Ready Solutions
Solutions must be TRL 7+ (system prototype demonstrated in operation environment) and CRL 6+ (Market/customer needs and how those translate to product needs are defined and documented).
Scale Your Clean Fight Nationwide
Scale Your Clean Fight Nationwide
The Clean Fight, Builders Vision, and Breakthrough Energy, with support from Turner Construction, have launched a new initiative that will leverage small-dollar catalytic capital to scale innovative decarbonization projects in buildings nationwide—The Deployment Grant Fund. Our goal is to test out replicable pathways to get proven climate solutions adopted, transform first deployments into first-of-many, cut energy costs, and unlock a cleaner, more resilient and prosperous future for all.
This opportunity is now open as an invite-only application to high-impact, ready-to-scale solution providers. Invited solution providers are eligible to apply for grants of $50-250k to support deployment projects that address operational or embodied GHG emissions in buildings anywhere in the U.S.
We want to hear how this capital would be transformational for your project. Grant applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis or as appropriate based on application volume. We recommend applying as soon as possible.
Logos
Program
Overview
Our Kind of Projects
Buildings Focus
Solutions must target operational (e.g., HVAC, BMS, façade, etc.) or embodied (e.g., cement, steel, timber, etc.) building emissions.
U.S. Based
Projects can be based anywhere within the U.S. but cannot be based internationally.
First-of-Many Potential
Projects should demonstrate the potential to open new business opportunities and validate solutions for broader market adoption.
Innovative Use Cases
Example advancements include proving a new business model or financing mechanism, expansion into new markets, and/or the deployment of novel solutions.
Customer Commitment
Your deployment partner should already be on board and proof of this commitment must be included in your application.
Examples of the Power of Catalytic Grant Capital
These are just a few examples of the catalytic impact that small-dollar grants can have. We’re excited learn from you what would be catalytic, whether this funding would enable you to come into a new geography, prove out a new business model, or something else. This is only what we’ve seen so far.
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Grants to prove out new, scalable business models
We awarded a $150k grant to a heating startup to prove out a zero-upfront-cost model for the hybrid electrification of affordable buildings; this was enabled by an Energy Service Agreement made possible with a utility rebate and third-party financing.
This new business model made the company's solution more accessible and affordable and ultimately led to the company unlocking $100M to finance future energy efficiency projects.
In 2024 their revenue increased 12X, 60% of their sales were via the zero-upfront-cost financing model, and 80% of projects were with LMI communities.
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Grants that act as a credit enhancement to crowd in private capital
We awarded a $170k grant to demonstrate the viability of a charging-as-a-service multifamily EV charging program for disadvantaged communities.
The grant enabled the installation of 45 chargers at 4 LMI multi-family buildings—a market segment the startup had previously been unable to serve. Our grant acted as a credit enhancement alongside a hardware-as-a-service debt facility to prove out a new business model for affordable housing.
These publicly accessible charging stations will also serve over 15,000 additional disadvantaged community members residing in nearby multifamily buildings.
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Grants that derisk ‘first-of-many’ deployments
We awarded a $150k grant to a Canadian company looking to expand in New York State to prove out the company’s pole-top energy storage system.
The system was successfully deployed with our partner Con Edison—this prompted Con Edison to contract 35 additional systems across New York and caught the eye of a regional utility consortium.
The company has now successfully partnered with seven utilities, leveraged two incentive programs that will allow them to deploy $50M in equipment, secured site control for 39 battery-backed EV charging sites, many in disadvantaged communities, and established a manufacturing hub in New York
Proven
Results
“This is the moment to ensure that critical climate technologies don’t just sit on the sidelines, and instead get into buildings to improve people’s lives, making homes and offices healthier, safer, and more productive.”
Why Buildings?
Decarbonized buildings improve people’s lives. They make homes and offices places where people work better, breathe easier, and feel more secure. They drive down costs and create new jobs.
Buildings are also responsible for more than a third of the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They are the largest sector for emissions in the U.S. when accounting for energy generation for real estate, transmission, embodied materials, and heating & cooling.
Buildings are where existing technologies will lead decarbonization. Decarbonizing buildings is possible with existing technologies. Deployment is the main challenge buildings face. A key element is often the lack of fit-for-purpose capital.
The Clean Fight has deep experience catalyzing building decarbonization. We have successfully piloted our catalytic capital model across the built environment in New York State using public funds, and are well-positioned to support projects nationally.