For entrepreneurs, the path from fundamental research to commercialization is risky, but Carnegie Mellon University support has helped launch several startups in energy and climate tech.

In 2025, the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation launched its new entrepreneurship award to grow the Carnegie Mellon energy and climate startup community and to make it easier to translate CMU cleantech innovations from research to the market. This support helps advance the Scott Institute’s vision of encouraging the development of breakthrough technologies to speed the transition to a sustainable future. This support is offered and awarded each year to CMU faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs.

The inaugural winners come from disciplines such as business, robotics, and architecture and include faculty and students.

With support from the Scott Institute, the future of energy innovation and entrepreneurship at CMU will remain strong and support the transition to a net-zero emissions future. 

Learn more about CMU's energy startups. 

Related news

Using entrepreneurship to mitigate harmful algal blooms

TJ Thomas is using support from the Scott Institute’s entrepreneurship award to develop a semi-automated solution for removal of harmful algal blooms.

Building sustainably with Sabana

Sabana’s business model looks at sustainability through the lens of embodied carbon, which represents the greenhouse gas emissions that span a product’s lifecycle from raw materials to eventual disposal.

New Scott Institute award gives entrepreneurship a boost

The Scott Institute for Energy Innovation has launched its new entrepreneurship award to grow the Carnegie Mellon energy and climate startup community and to make it easier to translate CMU cleantech innovations from research to the market.

Domestic, circular supply chain for EV batteries Opens in new window

SeaLion Energy, a CMU-led startup, received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E to extend EV battery life and facilitate repair and reuse to reduce waste.