NREL Industry Growth Forum

The NREL Industry Growth Forum (IGF), hosted by the National Laboratory of the Rockies, connects advanced energy startups with institutional and corporate investors. The 2026 edition, held March 31–April 2 in Denver, brought together 400+ energy startups and 200 investors representing $1.6 billion in capital across clean energy, storage, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, microgrids, and critical minerals. The Forum's signature events include speed-networking enabling one-on-one investor meetings, a competitive pitch program where 52 startups present to investors and corporate development officers, and educational sessions on venture strategy. Participants are categorized by technology maturity—early stage, pre-commercialization, commercialization, and growth stage—allowing investors to target companies aligned with portfolio strategy. The Forum facilitates knowledge exchange on emerging energy technologies, market trends, and policy drivers. For cleantech entrepreneurs seeking growth capital and strategic partnerships, the NREL IGF represents a concentrated ecosystem of decision-makers essential to scaling transformative energy technologies.