Deadline Date: May 16, 2026
The Spark Cleantech Accelerator Program is offering applications to support early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in commercializing innovative technologies.
The programme focuses on supporting early stage cleantech businesses and driving commercialization of their technologies by leveraging the unique science and technology resources of East Tennessee while also aiming to recruit high-potential cleantech companies to invest and deploy their technologies in Tennessee, nurture the development and deployment of these companies and their products or services, and ensure the inclusion of underserved entrepreneurs including women, people of color, and veterans.
The accelerator runs from September to November at the UT Research Park in Knoxville, Tennessee, providing a structured environment for entrepreneurs to refine their technologies and business strategies. Participants engage in an intensive in-person programme designed to accelerate growth and prepare ventures for market entry and investment opportunities.
They offer a funding support of $15,000 as an equity-free stipend to selected participants, distributed in three phases to help cover travel, living expenses, and business-related costs during the programme. In addition to financial support, participants gain access to prototyping services through the University of Tennessee, enabling them to develop and test their innovations effectively.
The programme provides one-on-one mentoring from experts across business development, market analysis, intellectual property and patent strategy, engineering, product design, testing, and manufacturing. Participants also benefit from structured training workshops and personalised guidance to strengthen their business models and technical capabilities.
Eligibility is open to applicants from Tennessee, the Midwest, and beyond who demonstrate strong market potential and defensible intellectual property, including issued or pending patents. Applicants must show that their technology aligns with the needs of Spark partners and typically fall within a Technology Readiness Level of 2 to 6, covering both software and hardware innovations such as intelligent connected devices and advanced material processes.
For more information, visit Research Park.
