Perspectives | Capital for Climate Innovation

How do climate innovators secure the funding needed to move from prototype to real-world impact? Join us for our next Perspectives webinar this November 13th @ 9 AM featuring leaders from River City Bank and the Climate Tech Finance program by BAAQMD, who are working every day to help clean tech companies scale breakthrough solutions

Register Now

Small Business, Big Impact

Supporting entrepreneurs in their fight against climate change

CONTACT US

Join Our Newsletter!

Sign up today and stay up-to-date!

Every month CleanStart releases new innovative information on cleantech companies, entrepreneur activities, and updates on sustainability tech advancement.

You don’t want to miss out!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Helping Entrepreneurs and Innovators Bring Their Clean Tech Ideas to Life Since 2005



Business Accelerator

Our focus on innovation equips startups with the tools, resources, and industry insights needed to stay ahead in the competitive cleantech landscape.



Educational Resources

Our specialized training and education programs to equip entrepreneurs with the latest trends, technologies, and regulatory insights.



Collaborative Ecosystem

Join our vibrant community shaping a sustainable future where innovation thrives and impactful solutions come to life.

Featured Events

Join us and share your passion for positive environmental change.

Explore More

Latest Blogs

Dive into the dynamic landscape of clean tech, exploring ideas and success stories.

LiCAP Wins Showcase

Congratulations to CEO Linda Zhong and her team for the outstanding presentation at our Rising Star Showcase on October 22. She showed how their latest technologies for making anodes and cathodes for batteries avoided half of the capital cost (with an 80% smaller...

New Advances in Commercial Building Efficiency

There are some big changes coming next year in commercial building design for more energy efficiency. On September 25, we held a MeetUp to consider what other changes might be in the works, based on some challenges that were launched two decades ago to push the...

September’s Startup Challenge

Every quarter, Sacramento State’s Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosts The Startup Challenge—a fast-paced, hands-on competition where teams build a company from scratch in just one weekend. Running in parallel with the Traction Cohort for existing...

Glimpsing the Future of EVs

On September 17, we hosted 35 people at our MeetUp to talk about “Building EVs that People Want.” And it was more than a discussion. We co-hosted the event with the Sacramento Electric Vehicle Association (SacEV) and that meant we had 15 personal EVs on display which...

Biggest Pitch Elk Grove Event Hands Out $20,000 in Prize Money

On September 4, 245 people attended the fourth Pitch Elk Grove competition, five times the number at the first event and double the number from last year. It is now one of the biggest in the area. Nine finalists presented their ventures to a panel of judges that...

Gotta Love It When A Plan Comes Together

In 1993, Mike Hart bought his first railroad with a bold vision: to create an emissions-free freight locomotive. More than three decades later, that dream has become reality. At a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first diesel switcher locomotive was officially...

Why Does Great Building Tech Struggle to Get Built?

We love seeing cutting-edge building technologies — all-electric systems, advanced water management, passive cooling, energy storage — but there’s a harsh truth: most of them never make it past the design phase. They just stay as “cool” tech, never scaling. In our...

Lessons Across the Growth Curve: Derek Porter on Building and Scaling Software Businesses

In a recent CleanStart Perspective discussion, I sat down with Derek Porter, a product and strategy leader who has helped grow software companies from scrappy startups to billion-dollar acquisitions. With over 25 years of experience across the energy and enterprise...

Pitch with Purpose: Gabriel Sigala of Splash on Winning Audiences and Competitions

At a recent CleanStart Perspective event, Gabriel Sigala—CFO and co-founder of Splash—offered a candid, insightful look at what it really takes to become a winning startup storyteller. Fresh off Splash’s impressive winning the Energy and Sustainability Prize at the...

Congrats to Sactown Makers! A CleanStart collaborator’s successful first cohort

On Friday, June 20, Sactown Makers hosted their first Demo Night at UC Davis Aggie Square in Sacramento to celebrate the success of their 13-week accelerator program. More than 65 people attended to support eight early stage entrepreneurs as they pitched their ideas...

Highlight Videos

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get the latest updates and exclusive content for cleantech small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Don’t miss out – subscribe now for timely insights delivered to your inbox!

Regional Companies

Our comprehensive map is a dynamic guide highlighting the emerging and thriving cleantech companies in our region.

Facilitates Collaboration:
- Fosters networking and partnerships among nearby cleantech companies, driving collaborative initiatives.
Economic Boost:
- Attracts investment, creates jobs, and stimulates economic growth by showcasing a thriving regional cleantech sector.
Community Engagement:
- Enhances community awareness, encouraging local support and participation in sustainable initiatives.