21 Aug, 2019
The Ameren Accelerator is now in its third year. In 2019, more than 430 startups from around the world applied to the program. This unique and forward-thinking partnership evaluates, mentors and invests in energy-technology startup companies. Each Accelerator participant receives $100,000 in seed capital and works alongside Ameren leaders and Accelerator partners to develop new energy technologies that will make our energy grid smarter, more reliable, resilient and secure. The companies are paired with an UMSL Accelerate intern and based out of UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators’ co-working space in Cortex Innovation Community, a 200-acre innovation and technology district in St. Louis. At the conclusion of the 12-week program, participants showcase their efforts to potential customers, investors, corporate executives and the general public at Demo Day in November. Ameren may select the most promising projects for ongoing mentoring and engagement beyond the accelerator program. ST. LOUIS (Aug. 21, 2019) – Today, six startup companies from around the world (the United States and England) were selected to participate in the 2019 Ameren Accelerator, an innovative public private partnership between Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE), the University of Missouri System, UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators. The technology solutions of the selected companies align with this year’s theme, “Smart Cities – Connected Communities.” The participating companies are: • Allumia (Seattle, Wash.) makes it possible to provide funded energy efficiency upgrades to commercial and industrial buildings in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. • ClearFlame (Chicago) is developing an alternatively-fueled, drop-in-ready engine for the heavy-duty market, which includes marine, agriculture, transportation, power generation, rail and construction applications. • Eden GeoTech (Somerville, Mass.) is developing a water-less and injection-free reservoir stimulation technology, which uses electric energy to change the petro-physical properties of rock formation, create micro-fractures and increase permeability. • HeXalayer (Louisville, Ky.) developed a new generation of high-capacity lithium-ion battery technology using innovative carbon material called ML Graphene. The nanomaterials-based technology significantly improves the capacity of energy storage; specifically tested for rechargeable batteries. • Ovon Tech (Manchester, England) developed the Smart Radiator Valve with distributed temperature acquisition and thermoelectric energy recovery systems. • Shyft Power Solutions (Oakland, Calif.) enables homes, businesses and energy companies to remotely monitor, manage and control their power sources from mobile or web applications. These selected companies were announced by Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO, Ameren Corp., as a part of a “Smart Cities – Connected Communities” roundtable with St. Louis City Mayor Lyda Krewson and University of Missouri System President Mun Y. Choi. The discussion focused on how new energy technologies and smart communities will enhance the position of St. Louis businesses to lead in innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development and attract companies and jobs to the region. “Being leaders in energy innovation will allow Ameren to fulfill its mission of powering the quality of life for our customers,” Baxter said. “Through the Ameren Accelerator program, we are investing in and partnering with some of the world’s most innovative startup companies to develop new energy technologies for our customers in Missouri and Illinois. This successful program is delivering positive results and exemplifying our mission – for today and the future.” Krewson said she’s excited about the Accelerator program and proud that St. Louis and Ameren are partnering to ensure that innovative technologies will modernize services and improve the quality of life for local residents. “Through programs such as the Ameren Accelerator, smart cities will allow us to improve public safety, make public services more efficient, smarter and equitable, and expand Internet access for all St. Louisans,” Krewson said. “We want the University Missouri System to be the first choice for entrepreneurially-minded students,” Choi said. “The UMSL Accelerate program will provide educational tools, real world startup and tech experience that will inspire entrepreneurship and innovation in the St. Louis region and across the state. Our mission is to foster a community of thought leaders by providing access to advanced curriculum, mentorship and involvements.” For more information about Ameren Accelerator, visit amerenaccelerator.com. About Ameren Corporation St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric distribution and transmission service, as well as natural gas distribution service, while Ameren Missouri provides vertically integrated electric service, with generating capacity of over 10,200 megawatts, and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops regional electric transmission projects. Follow the company on Twitter @AmerenCorp. For more information, visit Ameren.com. About the University of Missouri System The University of Missouri System is the State of Missouri’s largest public university, with four campuses serving more than 76,000 students, a health care system, an extension program, and more than 500,000 alumni worldwide. The UM System was created in 1963 when the University of Missouri (founded in 1839 in Columbia) and the Missouri School of Mines (now the Missouri University of Science and Technology, founded in 1870 in Rolla), were combined with the formerly private University of Kansas City (now University of Missouri–Kansas City, founded in 1933), and a newly created campus in suburban St. Louis (University of Missouri–St. Louis). About the University of Missouri-St. Louis and UMSL Accelerate The University of Missouri–St. Louis is the largest public research university in eastern Missouri with the greatest concentration of alumni in the region. Their UMSL Accelerate initiative fosters entrepreneurism and innovative thinking in and outside the classroom and helps bring concepts from mind to market. For more information, visit http://umsl.edu/accelerate/. About Capital Innovators Capital Innovators is an innovation engine that creates practical solutions across industries that can shape the future of organizations. Capital Innovators provides innovation consulting, entrepreneurial based programs, acts as a liaison between Corporations, Universities and Startups and investment into attractive early-stage businesses. Capital Innovators has in-depth knowledge into the most cutting-edge solutions through the Accelerator division of its business, which has been ranked as a top Accelerator in the country for four years in a row and has invested in and guided 70 companies to date.