Advancing Grid Innovation and Investment: Meet the 2026 ACORE Accelerate Cohort

Construction workers wearing hard hats review plans.

We’re proud to announce the 10 emerging clean energy companies selected for the sixth cohort of the ACORE Accelerate Program. These companies represent capital-ready business models spanning the full clean energy value chain. They are embarking on a two-year program designed to accelerate the growth of emerging small and mid-sized clean energy companies.

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Investing in Capital-Ready Solutions

The 2026 cohort targets the technologies essential for a modern, resilient grid. These leaders operate in high-growth subsectors, including AI and digital optimization, energy management, grid controls, power electronics, and distributed energy storage.

The businesses selected for this cohort reflect how clean energy innovation is increasingly data-driven, distributed, and grid-integrated. Each company pairs technological innovation with commercially viable models that strengthen reliability, expand access to affordable energy, and accelerate decarbonization.

Three attendees smile for a photo at the Accelerate reception.

Meet the 2026 Cohort

The 10 companies joining our program are bringing hard assets and vital data solutions to the market:

  • Biospheric AI (Somerville, MA) develops geospatial AI and machine-learning tools that forecast building-level energy demand and grid stress to support infrastructure planning and energy system optimization.
  • Ellement Group (Los Angeles, CA) provides clean energy consulting and project support services spanning planning, development, and implementation.
  • Expand Power Technologies, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) provides power electronics and system integration technologies to improve efficiency and reliability across renewable energy assets.
  • GeaVance Energi Solutions, LLC (Hanover, MD) provides integrated energy efficiency and renewable solutions for commercial and industrial customers, reducing emissions and operating costs.
  • HydraEarth Network Inc. (New Brunswick, NJ) advances environmental sustainability through clean energy training, workforce development, and community programs focused on equitable access to green careers.
  • Ko-Solar (Natick, MA) develops innovative commercial- and utility-scale integrated solar sound barrier systems that transform transportation corridors into renewable power assets while reducing noise pollution and advancing sustainable mobility.
  • Mote, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) has developed a patented process that converts wood and agricultural waste into hydrogen while capturing and storing CO₂.
  • NextGen Energy (Houston, TX) creates renewable generation and storage solutions focused on resilience and affordability for communities and businesses.
  • Polaris EcoSystems, Inc. (Newark, DE) provides energy management platforms enabling smarter load balancing and grid integration.
  • Solar Bear (Roseville, MN) develops and installs solar projects with a focus on expanding affordable access to underserved communities.
Three attendees smile for a photo at the photobooth at the 2026 Accelerate 5th Anniversary Reception.

Bridging the Gap to Commercial Deployment 

Since its launch in 2020, ACORE Accelerate has supported innovators across more than 30 states. Over the next two years, the 2026 cohort will receive tailored support designed to ensure investor readiness, including executive advisory sessions, structured mentorship, and curated networking within ACORE’s national ecosystem of corporate buyers, utilities, and financiers.

By equipping these innovators with the strategic partnerships necessary to deploy technology at scale, ACORE remains focused on powering American clean energy investment.

To learn more about the 2026 ACORE Accelerate cohort and our flagship entrepreneur support initiative, please visit the Accelerate Program page.

Author

Yejide Olutosin
Headshot of Yejide Olutosi

Yejide Olutosin

ACORE Team Member

Director, ACORE Accelerate