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Nationally recognized program is now accepting applications
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – At a time when nearly 200 countries recently pledged to ratchet up climate action before the end of this decade, global decarbonization solutions leader Black & Veatch is seeking applications to join its innovation-focused program to advance technologies that mitigate carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, is teaming up with Black & Veatch to provide technical and commercialization support to IgniteX participants.
Applicants will vie for the opportunity to participate in Black & Veatch’s IgniteX Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Accelerator, a largely virtual, 12-week program in which selected participants partner with thought leaders and subject matter experts from Black & Veatch and RTI to co-develop, pilot and market their new technology. Along the way they receive mentorship, access to both companies’ vast industry networks, product testing opportunities, pitch development coaching and investor introductions. The program culminates with a showcase in which the entrepreneurs present their solutions and outline their value propositions and market opportunity.
Applications can be submitted at www.bv.com/ignite.
“With the challenges of climate change mounting, it’s increasingly paramount that we accelerate novel technologies that ultimately will help lower the global carbon footprint both at scale and affordability. This program seeks to do just that,” said Ryan Pletka, vice president of innovation for Black & Veatch. “Entrepreneurs and startups with outside-the-box, potentially transformational concepts often need a boost in developing and scaling their technologies, and we have deep expertise to kickstart the growing climate innovation ecosystem.”
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management last August named the Black & Veatch/RTI team among 13 semifinalists to receive a total of $1.3 million for commercialization programs that support technologies that remove carbon from the atmosphere, including direct air capture (DAC).
"RTI is excited to team with Black & Veatch to provide commercialization support to innovators in direct air capture and carbon dioxide removal,” said Steve McManus, manufacturing sector lead for RTI's Innovation Advisors group. “RTI's expertise in advancing carbon capture technologies from early stages of development to pilot demonstration complements Black & Veatch's deep experience in scaleup and deployment of first-of-a-kind process technologies, enabling the IgniteX accelerator to serve startups at all stages of development.”
This year’s IgniteX program is looking for innovations that span critical elements across the entire end-to-end carbon dioxide removal lifecycle in:
• Direct air capture (DAC)
• Enhanced mineralization
• Soil carbon sequestration
• Biomass carbon removal and storage
• Ocean-based CDR
• Afforestation and reforestation
• Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS)
• Other innovations that improve the cost-effectiveness, scalability, efficiency or co-benefits of CO2 capture from the environment through engineered processes
Learn more about Black & Veatch’s IgniteX Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Accelerator
About RTI International
RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach — one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a 100-percent employee-owned global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company with a more than 100-year track record of innovation in sustainable infrastructure. Since 1915, we have helped our clients improve the lives of people around the world by addressing the resilience and reliability of our most important infrastructure assets. Follow us on www.bv.com and on social media.
