The Technical Advisory Committee aids in the screening of entrepreneurs/technologies that are seeking support from the program. The committee is composed of diverse professionals from the private, public, and academic sectors who have domain expertise across the broad scope of technologies that span the evolving energy industry. In filling out this form, you may also indicate your interest in becoming a mentor for SCEIN startups. Mentors support Cleantech San Diego staff in ensuring smooth operation of the program by checking in with assigned companies on a monthly basis to assess how program service delivery is going, keep track of progress on critical business milestones, and offer tailored guidance to mentees
Accelerating Market Traction for Energy Startups
The Southern California Energy Innovation Network engages with Cleantech San Diego members, program partners, regional stakeholders, and others to support the unique needs of each company, including:
81
Companies Served by SCEIN
33
Companies Active in 2025
867
People Employed by SCEIN Companies
560
patents approved
714
million in follow-on funding from public and private sources
71
of SCEIN companies have female, minority, or veteran representation on their C-Suite leadership teams
What Business Services Are Available
The Southern California Energy Innovation Network engages with partners, regional stakeholders, and other local service providers to offer free business services customized to the unique needs of each company, including:
- Industry Connections
- Mentoring
- Market Intelligence
- Regulatory and Policy Guidance
- Business Service Referrals
- Notification of Grant Solicitations and Prize Competitions
- Introductions to Capital Providers
- Research and Testing Facilities
- Pilot Project Opportunities
- Hardware Design and Simulation Support
- Software/Data Analytics Support
- Business Workshops
- Presentation/PR Opportunities
- Pitch Deck Development
- Access to Student Intern Projects
Who is Eligible?
Southern California Energy Innovation Network applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- The company must have a California business address
- The company must currently operate out of (or have near-term plans to do business in) one of the four counties in our territory: San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, or San Bernardino
- The company’s technology must be energy-related with the ability to benefit California’s electric ratepayers. It should fall under one of five general categories:
- Energy Efficiency (envelope, lighting, HVAC, plug loads, pumps, energy management software)
- Renewable Energy Generation (wind, solar, wave, geothermal, hydro)
- Energy Storage (battery materials, electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal storage devices)
- Smart Grid and Energy Services (demand response, energy IoT, smart metering, DERMS, data analytics, and microgrid technologies)
- Clean Transportation (EV charging infrastructure and software platforms)
Important Technology Notes:
Intellectual Property: The IP for an applying company’s technology must be either owned or licensed by the applicant’s company.
Clean Transportation Technologies: Only electric vehicle infrastructure technologies and software platforms that manage the interaction of EVs with the grid are eligible for the program. SCEIN does not support companies with new vehicle or engine designs.
Application Process
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee includes domain experts from:
- 33 North Energy
- Arcadis
- Axos Bank
- Black & Veatch
- Calpine Energy Solutions
- City of Carlsbad
- City of Chula Vista
- City of San Diego
- CohnReznick
- Coffman Engineers
- CollectiveSun
- EcoElectron Ventures
- ENGIE
- Foley & Lardner
- Goodwin Law
- Helix Water District
- Latham & Watkins
- Marathon Capital
- Mintz
- Morrison Foerster
- Nuvve
- Perkins Coie
- Port of San Diego
- Procopio
- S Curve Strategies
- San Diego Airport
- San Diego Community Power
- San Diego Regional EDC
- San Diego State University
- Stoel Rives
- SDG&E
- Sunrun
- UC Riverside
- UC San Diego
- University of San Diego
- Voit
- Toronto Stock Exchange
Partner Organizations
Related Funding Programs
CalSEED and New Energy Nexus
The Southern California Energy Innovation Network is a partner in the CalSEED Initiative. Through the CalSEED Initiative, the New Energy Nexus will distribute $25 million in Series A and Series B grants and provide a robust suite of business development services—business planning, research teaming, fund development, and mentoring—for emerging entrepreneurs. Learn More
California Energy Commission Grants
The Southern California Energy Innovation Network is funded by the California Energy Commission. Sign up to receive future grant opportunity announcements from the Energy Commission. Learn More
Related Documents and Resources
This Week on the Energy Scene – Newsletter Archives
California Energy Commission Electric Program Investment Charge 2018-2020 Triennial Investment Plan (pdf)
Cleantech Accelerator Accepts 10 Startups, San Diego Business Journal – April 10, 2017
Application of SDG&E to adopt Energy Efficiency Rolling Portfolio Business Plan (pdf)
Energy Primer: A Handbook of Energy Market Basics (pdf)
California Energy Efficiency Coordinating Committee: Business Plans
San Diego Regional Energy Technology Priorities and Needs Analysis (Synopsis) (pdf)
San Diego Regional Energy Technology Priorities and Needs Analysis (Full Report) (pdf)
Cleantech San Diego Awarded $5 Million to Advance Regional Energy Innovation and Commercialization – April 14, 2016
Contact us to learn more