Startup accelerator on clean energy set
DivInc, a startup accelerator for people of color and women entrepreneurs, launched its first Clean Energy Accelerator, a program backed by Chevron and Microsoft with Houston Premier Partners, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Verizon, the Ion and Mercury.
The Spring 2023 Clean Energy Accelerator aims to support startups led by BIPOC and women founders working to shift the energy sector in the areas of clean energy production, energy storage and transmission, energy efficiency, carbon economy and sustainable cities.
Up to 10 companies will be accepted in the 12-week program, which will run from April through June and will be hosted at The Ion in Midtown Houston. Upon completion of the program, each participating company will receive $10,000 in nondilutive seed funding.
Shell unit backs biofuel production
Equilon Enterprises, a unit of Shell, and S&W Seed Co. announced a joint venture to develop novel plant genetics for oilseed cover crops as feedstocks for biofuel production. The venture, named Vision Bioenergy Oilseeds, will be jointly owned by Shell and S&W and expects to carry out initial grain production in late 2023.
It intends to develop camelina and other oilseed species from which oil and meal can be extracted for processing into animal feed, biofuels and other bioproducts. S&W will contribute its expertise in seed research, technology, production and processing to the joint venture, including its seed processing and research facilities in Nampa, Idaho.
Lithium company lands Argentina deal
International Battery Metals, a Houston lithium production company, said it would have access to substantial lithium brine reserves in Argentina, including 140,000 acres in the province of Catamarca.
The agreement is IBAT’s initial commercial venture in Argentina for its patented lithium plant technology. The partnership with Ensorcia Metals Corp. entitles IBAT to receive revenues in the form of ongoing fees, royalties and a percentage of profit for use of the extraction plant. The partnership is expected to be finalized in this year’s first quarter.