NextEnergy

Appreciate the love and support, Urban Tech Xchange! If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the space in downtown Detroit and give them a follow here on LinkedIn!

With a refreshed website design, #MiNextCities is back with updates on our three participating cities. Today, we check in with Marquette in the Upper Peninsula. In Marquette, MiNextCities is solving two problems: 🚗 Reducing the city's greenhouse gas emissions from transportation ⚡ Demonstrates feasibility of fleet electrification in cold-weather climates Plus, the city has upgraded its technology, adding two Ford e-Transit vans, one Mean Green electric mower, and several EV charging stations. Read more about Marquette's progress: https://lnkd.in/ggvNGs5q

After a busy few weeks, we wanted to take some time to introduce our two newest hires to join the NextEnergy team! Please welcome Jeffrey Hoang as our communications and engagement associate and Kellie Thaxton as senior accountant. We asked both Jeffrey and Kellie what they think are the most interesting developments in the energy space. Be sure to check out their full Q&A articles on our website.

Get the inside scoop on the Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. Robotic Food Waste Pickup pilot in North Corktown! The pilot program featured a full demonstration of how food waste is picked up, transported, and recycled. Thanks to Hannah Ranieri for sharing all the details!

Our President and CEO Jim Saber attended the Orange Sparkle Ball, Inc. demonstration in North Corktown this morning, seeing their innovative tech on full display! This Michigan Mobility Funding Platform project was funded by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. We provided support throughout the project and are excited to see this come to life in Detroit!

Great photos from yesterday’s launch event that helped bring awareness to this amazing project that Michigan Clean Cities and many others help make happen! See more photos and insights from the event on our Instagram page including a video from the official ribbon-cutting. Just search “NextEnergy” and you’ll see our page!

Check out this amazing technology from our friends at Lotus (Techstars'23) at the Urban Tech Xchange! You'll be able to control lights, fans, and other appliances from a ring on your finger!

The Detroit Smart Parking Lab welcomes four new startups to its portfolio, operating under the recently-formed “Autonomous Movement Initiative." Companies include: 🤖ALBA Robot 🚗AuTowed LLC 🚛IonDynamics Energy ⚡️Joule Labs Inc Utilizing more than $250,000 in grants awarded through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, these startups will deploy, test and and demonstrate the latest technologies related to autonomous and EV charging over the next six months. 

Congratulations to JustAir co-founder and CEO Darren Riley for being selected to join the 2024 Google For Startups Black Founders Fund cohort! In 2023, only 0.5% of venture funding went to U.S. Black-founded companies, highlighting the challenges faced by Black-led businesses in accessing necessary financial support for growth. NextEnergy and the MiNextCities program are dedicated to serving our communities and populations that have historically been overlooked and underserved. We are excited to see Darren and JustAir join this empowering community! Learn more about the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund: https://lnkd.in/g9Nu9_Tq