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Politics & Government

Hatching Green Transportation and Energy Technologies

The i-GATE National Energy Systems Technology (NEST) partnership is fostering business development in green energy.

The i-GATE NEST (National Energy Systems Technology) commercialization center was created in 2010 to support the growth of businesses developing green transportation and clean-energy technologies, with an initial focus on:

  • Solar power
  • Fuel cells and batteries
  • Electric vehicles
  • Engine and powertrain efficiency
  • Next-generation biofuels
  • Solid-state lighting (LEDs)

Designated as one of the first six State of California "innovation hubs (iHubs)" by the California Governor's Office of Economic Development, i-GATE (a nonprofit 501(c)3 public-private partnership) is coordinated by the City of Livermore with Sandia National Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory as its major partners. 

In addition to Livermore, regional city partners include Pleasanton, Dublin, Danville, Fremont, Lathrop, San Ramon, Tracy and West Sacramento. There are about 40 partners, including universities, research institutes such as the Joint BioEnergy Institute, venture capital investors, the California Small Business Development Centers, Innovation Tri-Valley, and industry partners such as General Motors, Bridgelux, Amerimade Technology and PG&E.

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New companies, jobs and education

The i-GATE NEST technology incubator and commercialization program provides business and technical mentoring, entrepreneurial education and assistance, collaboration opportunities, an Academic Alliance, internships, access to venture and angel investment, networking events and seminars, and the NEST facility for development of green business startups with high growth potential.

With help from the i-GATE NEST commercialization center, emerging technologies can mature and demonstrate their market potential, making them more attractive to investors and helping entrepreneurs to develop successful businesses that will create jobs and support the regional economy.

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Grand opening ceremony

From 4 to 7 p.m. today, the NEST facility will have its grand opening ceremony and wine reception at 7693 Longard Road.

At this gathering of the entrepreneurial community and i-GATE program supporters, there will be vehicle displays, speeches, and tours of the NEST facility. Startup companies in the NEST program will have technology displays and demonstrations.

Startup companies developing green transportation or renewable energy technologies are welcome to tour the facility by appointment, hear about the program, discuss admission requirements and lease development space.

For more information, visit www.igateihub.org.

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