GCxN’s Channel Partners are a combination of academic, industry, and government institutions who work in advanced energy technologies across North America and refer startups into NLR Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center programs, including GCxN.
GCxN supports this network through strategic, competitive financial awards meant to bolster Channel Partner efforts that address real-world commercialization challenges and facilitate cross-sector collaboration.
2025: The First GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Awards
2025 marked the inaugural GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Awards focused on scaling impact at the regional level by fostering partnerships between Channel Partners, community organizations, and incubators in new markets. That year, BRITE Energy Innovators and Cleantech Open received awards to expand entrepreneurial resources for founders and startups in the Gulf Coast region.
2026: Enhancing Commercialization Pilot Projects
In 2026, the GCxN strategic award cycle focused on activities to enhance pathways for industry pilot partnerships to help energy startups gain market traction. Strategic awards were extended to mHUB and the University of Colorado Boulder to expand programming and resources tailored to address the interests of their growing corporate adopter networks.
Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond
For 2027, GCxN is seeking Channel Partner Strategic Award proposals to support market adoption and early commercialization through two channels: pre-pilot readiness training on the various site and infrastructure requirements of industry pilot partners, and soft landing support for commercial-ready companies expanding to the U.S. market.
For more information on upcoming Channel Partner Strategic Awards, email GCxN@nlr.gov.
For a complete list of Channel Partners, visit NLR’s Networks page.
Worldwide Innovation Network
The Worldwide Innovation Network (WIN) convenes global incubators and accelerators to provide broader, more robust, and interconnected support to energy entrepreneurs and startups including those in the GCxN portfolio.
Through this worldwide network, participants are able to refer companies into the GCxN program and also gain access to shared knowledge, resources, and promising technology startups, so they can help accelerate the development of technologies that enhance industries, jobs, and lives.
A Borderless Innovation Ecosystem
Members of WIN join a coordinated effort to accelerate technology commercialization, strengthen local economies, and advance technical solutions in the United States and strategically aligned countries around the world.
Founding Entrepreneurial Support Organization Members
Together, these founding ESOs serve strategically aligned countries in Central and South Asia, Europe, Latin and South America, the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North America:
If you’re interested in contributing to a collaborative network that elevates entrepreneurs and startups across the globe, we want to hear from you! Email win@nlr.gov to get involved today.