About NYC Acre
The New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE) helps clean technology and renewable energy companies in New York City grow, advancing the City as a role model for environmental sustainability and smart growth.
All tenants must have a focus on alternative energy and clean technology, or a product or service offering that has a clear linkage to a more sustainable urban environment. Company sectors include, but are not limited to: energy transmission and distribution; energy storage; waste to energy; smart grid; building systems; lighting; advanced metering infrastructure; energy management; efficiency products and services; sustainable architecture and design; transportation and power systems; water management; green roofs; urban food systems; energy/environmental markets and financial services.
Download our virtual service brochure here.
Location:
NYC ACRE is located within the first city sponsored incubator in Soho. Our offices feature 50 fully-functional, affordable office spaces within 16,500 sq. ft. at 160 Varick Street in the heart of downtown Manhattan. Amenities include day-lit loft space, a receptionist, conference rooms, kitchen, and high-speed internet access.
Activities to support individual ACRE tenant companies:
NYC ACRE will provide streamlined access to existing incentives and programs to help attract and retain international companies and local start-ups. We offer commercialization resources including technical design, development and deployment and prototype-testing opportunities using local professionals and university resources as a "springboard". We provide access to support services such as business plan writing, legal and tax services, sales and marketing assistance, and facilitate access to "wet labs" and advanced research facilities at NYU, NYU-Poly, and Columbia University, where appropriate. Our experts, mentors, and staff assist with financial modeling/planning and operational support, and identify venture funding sources and assist as needed in negotiating agreements for capital investments. We offer a catalogue of university resources and coordinate subcontracting arrangements; access to ongoing research, faculty advisers and student interns. We help secure access to an outstanding local professional network of experts and mentors. For our tenants, we provide space as needed and continuously monitor progress. We offer coaching and entrepreneurship skills enhancement "boot camps", and provide ACRE tenants with daily opportunities to share experiences, problems, solutions, and contacts with fellow entrepreneurs.
Activities to support the growth of a clean technology and renewable energy cluster in NYC:
In partnership with other groups, NYC ACRE will develop a comprehensive catalogue of cleantech-related assets in NYC (such as power consumption and production, academic programs, and legislative initiatives) and develop a marketing plan which highlights existing resources. Our website will become a community-driven destination that highlights NYC assets, becomes a hub for information exchange, and provides an event calendar and discussion forum for the NYC clean tech and renewable energy sector. NYC ACRE will create alliances with local professional groups and other universities to stimulate multi-disciplinary knowledge sharing, and produce networking events in partnership with other organizations. We will coordinate high-value programming, seminars, and mini-conferences including a 2010 symposium with partners, tenants, and international experts on "Developing a clean and renewable energy sector in an urban environment."
Why clean tech and renewable energy?
Globally, clean energy investments are 15 percent of all venture capital. Every state in the nation can take part in this emerging economy -- from manufacturing and installation of solar panels and wind turbines, to recycling and waste management, to purchasing hybrid fleets for businesses and government agencies. As defined by the Pew Charitable Trust, the clean energy economy represents five sectors:
- Clean energy
- Energy efficiency
- Environmentally friendly production
- Conservation and pollution mitigation
- Training and support
NYC ACRE's partners include:
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA is a public benefit corporation created in 1975 under Article 8, Title 9 of the State Public Authorities Law through the reconstitution of the New York State Atomic and Space Development Authority. NYSERDA's earliest efforts focused solely on research and development with the goal of reducing the State's petroleum consumption. Subsequent research and development projects focused on topics including environmental effects of energy consumption, development of renewable resources, and advancement of innovative technologies. NYSERDA strives to facilitate change through the widespread development and use of innovative technologies to improve the State's energy, economic, and environmental wellbeing.
The New York City Economic Development Corporation
NYCEDC encourages businesses to start, expand or relocate in NYC by creating policies that promote economic growth and offering programs and incentives to help them achieve success.
The New York City Investment Fund
The New York City Investment Fund is a private fund with a civic mission. The fund was the vision of Henry R. Kravis, founding partner of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., who currently serves as its Founding Chairman. His goal was to mobilize the city's financial and business leaders to help build a stronger and more diversified local economy. To that end, the Fund has built a network of top experts from the investment and corporate communities who help identify and support New York City's most promising entrepreneurs in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.
Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Polytechnic Institute of NYU was founded in 1854, and is the second oldest private engineering school in the United States. Among its graduates and faculty are Nobel laureates, notable inventors, world class scientists and successful entrepreneurs. NYU-Poly produces and supports the leaders of tomorrow; providing excellence in education and research, in engineering, science and related fields for the New York region and the world.
Columbia University
Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting pathbreaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, and a school of continuing education.
Pratt Institute
Founded in 1887, Pratt seeks to instill in all graduates aesthetic judgment, professional knowledge, collaborative skills, and technical expertise.
The mission of Pratt Institute is to educate artists and creative professionals to be responsible contributors to society.
With a firm grounding in the liberal arts and sciences, a Pratt education blends theory with creative application in preparing graduates to become leaders
in their professions.
New York University
Founded in 1831, New York University is now one of the largest private universities in the United States. Of the more than 3,000 colleges and universities in America, New York University is one of only 60 member institutions of the distinguished Association of American Universities.
For more than 150 years, NYU has been home to talented scholars, artists, writers and others who have been drawn from all over the world to teach, perform, create, and study. NYU have achieved an international distinction in a wide range of areas - in the liberal arts, the sciences, education, the health professions, law, medicine, business, the arts, communications, public service, and the performing arts.