Collaborative Partnerships in Communities and Tailored Programmatic Support for Entrepreneurs Advance Energy Innovation

The Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN), a multimillion-dollar, multiyear program developed in collaboration between Shell GameChanger and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), selected Cleantech Open and BRITE Energy Innovators as recipients of its inaugural Channel Partner Strategic Awards.

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2025 Channel Partner Network

This year’s awards prioritize ecosystem building in communities and tailored support for energy entrepreneurs by fostering partnerships between channel partners and community organizations and incubators in underserved markets.

"By investing in these high-impact programs, GCxN taps into the wealth of knowledge from Channel Partners, fostering an innovative ecosystem," said Johanna Jamison, GCxN program manager at NREL. "Cleantech Open and BRITE Energy Innovators exemplify the forward-thinking initiatives that will advance technologies and integrated systems that are secure, resilient, and reliable."

The 2025 GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Award recognizes BRITE Energy Innovators’ commitment to advancing energy technology founders. BRITE, in collaboration with Nexus Louisiana, will expand tailored support for entrepreneurs in the Gulf Coast region by integrating Nexus Louisiana’s Ignition accelerator with BRITE’s CXO program. This initiative will provide structured mentorship, commercialization support, and fractional executive expertise to help founders navigate key challenges in scaling their ventures.

Cleantech Open (CTO), a national business accelerator for early-stage startups, will expand to New Orleans and the Greater Gulf Coast with local partner Deep Blue Institute. Entrepreneurs developing energy, water, and resiliency technologies will undergo five months of business training, mentorship, and customer collaboration to strengthen their ventures. The accelerator will conclude with showcasing and pitching events, connecting local entrepreneurs with a national ecosystem of investors, corporations, and next-stage partners.

"Accelerating energy innovation requires strong collaboration and support for entrepreneurs driving meaningful change," said Yesim Jonsson, Shell’s GCxN program manager. "Through the Channel Partner Strategic Awards, we are strengthening the ecosystem that empowers energy technology founders and fosters breakthrough solutions in communities that need them most."

The GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Awards are a key component of NREL’s broader efforts to catalyze a resilient and dynamic energy technology ecosystem. By supporting projects that address real-world challenges and facilitate cross-sector collaboration, GCxN is helping to ensure that transformative ideas move efficiently from concept to commercialization.

About the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN)

GCxN’s mission is to discover and advance emerging energy technologies with the potential to alter the future global energy landscape dramatically. GCxN identifies promising startup companies through an ecosystem of more than 60 energy technology business incubators, accelerators, and universities, providing access to $250,000 in nondilutive funding per company to develop and demonstrate new energy technologies. GCxN is made possible by funding through Shell GameChanger. GCxN is administered by NREL, located in Golden, Colorado.

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