The Clean Fight (TCF) is a nonprofit focused on running high impact programs for growth-stage companies to accelerate the adoption of promising climate tech solutions and speed a just clean energy transition in New York State. In 2021, they were awarded nearly $1 million through the Office of Technology Transitions’ (OTT) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) program. In collaboration with the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST) and Binghamton University, TCF used this funding to launch a new practice area focused on energy storage and to select and accelerate an inaugural cohort of ten startups poised to scale in New York. The program focuses on shortening sales cycles, building manufacturing capacity, and providing guidance navigating the NY market from utilities and industry experts.

We connected with Kate Frucher (KF), Managing Director of the Clean Fight, Nyla Mabro (NM), the Head of Strategy, and Molly Rafelson (MR), the Program Manager for Energy Storage cohort, to discuss their vision how TCF’s battery storage program can help increase New York’s position as a U.S. hub for energy storage innovation, development, and manufacturing.