The FLoW criteria for the Western Region competition include the following:
- At least 50% of the formal team members must be students
- Students must be studying at accredited US Universities
- Preference given to students in the Western Region: Alaska, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, and Guam
- Student teams developing commercially attractive energy technologies at an early stage or
- Student teams with some corporate development done, in the seed or start-up phase, and needing mentoring support to rise to the next phase of development
- Teams do not need to have a company to enter the competition. However, teams must be incorporated and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) prior to receiving DOE awards or prizes.
- The company cannot have raised more than $200k in equity capital prior to selection of the regional winners
- Students members of the formal team should have a combined minimum equity of 20% of the company
- Students will be required to present business plans at the regional and the national competitions. Non-student team members must only act as support to the team.
- Non-student team members may consult with students during Q&A, but students shall respond to all questions.
- The business plan must develop a technology that will have a demonstrable impact in the way energy is generated, distributed, converted or consumed
- You do not need IP in order to enter the competition; however all those who are selected after Round 1 to go forward must sign IP Declaration and IP Disclosure forms. Please click to open and download.
- Technology areas:
- Building Technologies
- Advanced Manufacturing
- FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program
- Federal Energy Management Program
- Industrial Technologies Program
- Weatherization and Intergovernmental
- Biomass Program
- Geothermal technologies
- Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Technologies Program
- Solar Energy Technologies
- Wind and Hydropower Technologies
- “Multiple Programs” – technologies that cross different programs e.g. Desalination, reducing environmental impacts of unconventional fossil fuels development, carbon sequestration, reduced energy in the industrial and manufacturing sector, lightweight materials for transportation and supply chain technologies, and renewable fuel production, transmission or distribution technology that enables higher penetration of renewables into electric grid, technologies that use hydrogen, biomass-derived gas, some technologies to recycle and recover chemical feedstocks and plastics.
- Technology areas:
If you are forming a company:
It is not necessary to form a company before submitting an application; all you need to do is complete a one-page business concept or preferably, a one page business plan abstract and answer ten high-level questions about your business. However, if you are in the process of founding a company please note the following:
- Student Members of the formal team should have a combined minimum equity of 20% of the company
- Teams must be incorporated and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) prior to receiving DOE awards or prizes
- The company cannot have raised more than $200k in equity capital prior to selection of the regional winners
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted online and can range from technology platforms underlying business concepts to the formal business plans of established companies. The online link to the iStart application site is available on the FLoW website (click Apply below). Please note that after opening your iStart account you can amend your application at any time until the submission closes. However, if you need general guidance before applying, you can contact Stephanie Yanchinski, Executive Director, at stephanie.yanchinski@caltech.edu.
