The Advanced Energy Center of Excellence makes programming available to meet the needs of energy innovators at all stages.

BRITE Energy Innovators provides a suite of programs, with early-stage founders benefitting from the BRITEbase virtual accelerator, followed by BRITEelevate, a self-paced program focusing on funding and customer readiness, and BRITEascent for an intensive on investor preparation. BRITE supports scaling startups through its CxO Program, fractional executive placements, tailored consulting, and access to a broad VC network to accelerate growth and fundraising.

Case Western Reserve University offers Advanced Energy startups access to its Core Research Facilities, supporting a wide range of activities from fabrication, characterization, and testing for solar, materials and emerging electronic technologies. Membership at 11000 Cedar Startup Incubator can help provide added resources to fuel growth.

SUPPORT AT EVERY STAGE OF THE JOURNEY

Ideation: Exploring and shaping an idea

BRITEbase

Specialized business training is offered for early-stage technical founders working on energy transition technologies. The program equips participants with foundational business skills, helping build a roadmap from concept to commercialization and assess readiness for next-stage support.

Validation: Proving the Concept

BRITEelevate

Using hands-on mentoring and customized program and resource support, BRITEelevate closes both the distance and timeline between strategic development and successful industry engagement.

CWRU Core Facility Use

Access to 40+ specialized facilities for fabrication, testing, and characterization provides affordable, pay-as-you-go use of high-cost equipment and expertise, helping founders move faster while conserving capital. Facilities include solar device testing, materials processing, among others.

CWRU Launch Services

Founders who are members of CWRU’s 11000 Cedar Startup Incubator are connected with domain experts to validate the business model and potentially embed those experts into the startup prior to raising dilutive capital.

Traction: Early customers and measurable momentum

CWRU Startup Services

Founders who are members of 11000 Cedar Startup Incubator make connections to vetted, subsidized service providers for critical functions like HR, accounting, and marketing. This helps founders avoid costly missteps and extend their runway.

Additional programs in this stage: CWRU Core Facility Use, BRITEelevate

Pre-Seed to Seed+: Securing early funding to scale

BRITEascent

For founders preparing to raise institutional capital for the first time, this program offers expert coaching, financial modeling, pitch development, and investor strategy support.

BRITE CxO Program

Startups are connected with experienced fractional executives who can step in as part of the team and fill critical leadership gaps. These embedded leaders bring strategic and operational expertise to help startups scale, drive sales, and prepare for fundraising – without the cost of a permanent hire.

Additional programs in this stage: CWRU Core Facility Use, CWRU Startup Services

Series A: Accelerating growth with investment

Programs in this stage: Brite CxO Program, CWRU Core Facility Use, CWRU Startup Services

Get Connected

Fill out a form below to get connected with a Regional Startup Ambassador organization that can help you navigate the entrepreneurial support ecosystem! Together Bounce Innovation Hub, Braintree Business Development Center, JumpStart, GLIDE at Lorain County Community College, Lakeland Community College, University of Toledo Business Incubator, and Youngstown Business Incubator are ready to help support your journey.