New Energy Nexus (NEX) stands at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, guiding entrepreneurs and investors toward a future where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

Origins and Evolution of a Global Ecosystem

Founded in 2004 as the California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF), NEX began with a US$30 million public benefit fund derived from a PG&E bankruptcy settlement. Its initial mission was to bridge the notorious "Valley of Death" for early-stage cleantech innovations in California.

By 2016, the organization had launched CalSEED with a US$25 million grant and CalTestBed in 2019 with an US$11 million program, distributing millions in vouchers to help over 100 startups advance prototypes toward market readiness. These early efforts laid the foundation for what has become the world’s largest non-profit clean energy ecosystem.

Four Pillars of Entrepreneurial Support

Today, NEX operates globally through four integrated pillars—Launch, Accelerate, Fund, and Connect—each designed to guide entrepreneurs from ideation to investment readiness.

• Launch: Bootcamps, hackathons, and specialized courses equip founders with technical skills and strategic direction.
• Accelerate: Incubators and partnerships foster growth, offering mentorship from industry experts and structured curricula.
• Fund: Grants, vouchers, loans, and impact funds provide catalytic capital to high-potential ventures.
• Connect: Networks bridge startups with investors, governments, NGOs, universities, and corporates for collaboration and scale.

Catalytic Funding and Measurable Impact

In 2024, NEX distributed US$31.9 million through its Financial Innovation programs, unlocking an astounding US$1.52 billion in follow-on funding for startups and small businesses. These investments yielded a direct reduction of 1.79 million metric tons CO₂e—equivalent to taking 24,369 cars off the road.

Projections for 2025–2030 estimate an additional mitigation of 5,702 metric tons CO₂e from supported projects. NEX’s commitment to data-driven outcomes underscores its role as a transformative force in climate finance.

Embracing the Energy Nexus for Sustainable Investing

The term “energy nexus” captures the interconnected systems of energy, water, food, land, and human well-being. Interest in nexus-aware portfolios is rising as investors seek resilient, resource-efficient technologies that minimize trade-offs and maximize social value.

• Energy-Water-Food Nexus: Balancing renewables with agricultural and water demands.
• Land and Nature: Integrating solar and wind with biodiversity conservation.
• Human Well-Being: Ensuring equitable access to clean energy across communities.

NEX’s decentralized, bottom-up approach empowers entrepreneurs in the Global South to deploy proven technologies while strengthening local resilience and equity.

Building Inclusive Climate Solutions

Equity and inclusivity lie at NEX’s core. Initiatives such as women in climate leadership programs and targeted support for underrepresented founders aim to level the playing field. By prioritizing diversity, NEX ensures that the benefits of clean energy innovation reach every segment of society.

Collaboration with partners—Solar Impulse Foundation, Hub71, EnergyLab, cKers Finance, and LACI—amplifies NEX’s impact, creating global networks that transcend sectors and geographies. These alliances drive knowledge exchange and co-investment, accelerating the deployment of scalable solutions.

Looking Ahead: Scaling to 100,000 Entrepreneurs by 2030

With a BRAVE goal of supporting 100,000 clean energy entrepreneurs by 2030, NEX is poised to catalyze the next wave of climate innovation. Its expansion at COP28, inclusion in Global South markets, and launch of new funds reflect a steadfast commitment to an equitable energy transition.

As the world grapples with climate risks, NEX’s model offers a blueprint for investors and policymakers seeking to build sustainable portfolios that generate both returns and real-world impact. By harnessing entrepreneurial talent and catalytic capital, the organization is transforming climate ambition into tangible progress.

New Energy Nexus is more than a funding intermediary—it is a movement uniting visionaries, investors, and communities to co-create a resilient, inclusive, and profitable clean energy future for all.