Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL Launches First-Ever GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Awards to Boost Energy Innovation in Underserved Communities
In a significant step toward accelerating clean energy innovation and supporting a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (GCxN) has unveiled the recipients of its inaugural Channel Partner Strategic Awards. This landmark recognition is being awarded to two dynamic organizations—Cleantech Open and BRITE Energy Innovators—each selected for their outstanding commitment to fostering innovation and expanding access to critical resources for early-stage energy entrepreneurs.
A Collaborative Model for Transformative Energy Innovation
The GCxN program is a unique public-private partnership between Shell GameChanger and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Designed as a multimillion-dollar, multiyear initiative, GCxN is focused on identifying, supporting, and accelerating the commercialization of early-stage companies with potentially disruptive clean energy technologies. Its mission is not only to catalyze the growth of cutting-edge innovations but also to build resilient networks and ecosystems capable of sustaining the complex transition to a decarbonized, sustainable energy future.
With the launch of the Channel Partner Strategic Awards, GCxN adds another key dimension to its work: empowering ecosystem partners that are deeply embedded in local communities, particularly those that have historically been underserved by mainstream innovation infrastructure. These awards mark a strategic pivot toward place-based innovation, where partnerships with regional incubators, accelerators, and community-based organizations play a pivotal role in supporting energy entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
Spotlight on the Awardees: BRITE Energy Innovators and Cleantech Open
The two organizations receiving the 2025 GCxN Channel Partner Strategic Awards—BRITE Energy Innovators and Cleantech Open—stood out for their strong track records, regional expertise, and commitment to collaborative innovation.
BRITE Energy Innovators, based in Warren, Ohio, is a non-profit energy tech incubator with a mission to empower founders at every stage of the startup lifecycle. BRITE has long been recognized as a leader in building programs that not only support the development of energy technologies but also provide structured and strategic business support to help innovators thrive in highly competitive markets.
Through the Channel Partner Strategic Award, BRITE will team up with Nexus Louisiana, an innovation hub with deep ties to the Gulf Coast entrepreneurial ecosystem. Together, the two organizations will launch an expanded initiative that integrates Nexus Louisiana’s Ignition accelerator program with BRITE’s CXO program—a hybrid effort designed to provide mentorship, commercialization expertise, and access to executive-level resources. This partnership will enable startup founders in the Gulf Coast region to better navigate common barriers such as limited capital access, talent shortages, and regulatory hurdles. The initiative also brings a strong focus on diversity and inclusion by supporting entrepreneurs in communities that have historically been excluded from the innovation economy.
“We are thrilled to partner with Nexus Louisiana to bring BRITE’s proven support model to a new geography rich with potential and talent,” said BRITE CEO Rick Stockburger. “This collaboration, made possible through GCxN’s support, is a powerful step toward ensuring that no founder is left behind in the clean energy transition.”
Cleantech Open (CTO), meanwhile, is a national business accelerator that has served over 2,000 early-stage cleantech startups since its inception. With a mission to find, fund, and foster entrepreneurs with ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental, and economic challenges, CTO has become one of the most recognizable names in the clean energy innovation space. The organization’s alumni have collectively raised more than $2 billion in investment and created thousands of jobs across the United States.
Through GCxN’s Strategic Award, Cleantech Open will now expand its programming into New Orleans and the broader Gulf Coast region, working in partnership with Deep Blue Institute, a local nonprofit focused on coastal innovation and community development. This geographic expansion will provide much-needed support to local entrepreneurs working on clean energy, water infrastructure, and climate resilience solutions.
Over the course of a five-month accelerator program, selected startups will receive intensive business training, personalized mentorship from industry veterans, and opportunities to collaborate directly with potential customers and partners. The program will culminate in a series of high-profile pitch events, where participating companies can showcase their solutions to investors, corporate strategists, and potential collaborators from across the country.
“Energy entrepreneurs in the Gulf Coast face both unique challenges and incredible opportunities,” said Ken Hayes, Executive Director of Cleantech Open. “By working with local partners like Deep Blue Institute, we are ensuring that our programming is not only nationally connected but also deeply rooted in regional needs and assets.”
Driving a More Inclusive, Resilient, and Connected Energy Innovation Ecosystem
GCxN’s decision to launch the Channel Partner Strategic Awards comes at a pivotal time in the global energy landscape. As the climate crisis accelerates and energy systems face increasing pressure to decarbonize, diversify, and digitalize, there is a growing recognition that technological innovation alone is not enough. What’s also required is a robust ecosystem that can support the long, complex journey from lab to market—especially for innovators working outside traditional venture capital hubs.
“By investing in these high-impact programs, GCxN taps into the wealth of knowledge from Channel Partners, fostering an innovative ecosystem,” said Johanna Jamison, GCxN program manager at NREL. “Cleantech Open and BRITE Energy Innovators exemplify the forward-thinking initiatives that will advance technologies and integrated systems that are secure, resilient, and reliable.”
Shell’s leadership team echoed this emphasis on ecosystem development as a core strategy for innovation. “Accelerating energy innovation requires strong collaboration and support for entrepreneurs driving meaningful change,” said Yesim Jonsson, Shell’s GCxN program manager. “Through the Channel Partner Strategic Awards, we are strengthening the ecosystem that empowers energy technology founders and fosters breakthrough solutions in communities that need them most.”
A Strategic Step Toward Community-Centered Innovation
The Channel Partner Strategic Awards are not just symbolic; they represent a strategic approach to community-centered innovation. By deliberately investing in organizations that understand the unique needs of their local ecosystems, GCxN is laying the groundwork for a more equitable and sustainable innovation pipeline.
This effort aligns with broader trends across the energy and technology sectors, where increasing attention is being paid to regional economic development, workforce equity, and environmental justice. By ensuring that clean energy innovation reaches every corner of the country—not just Silicon Valley or Boston—programs like GCxN help unlock talent and potential that might otherwise remain untapped.
Moreover, by supporting the integration of programs such as BRITE’s CXO and Cleantech Open’s accelerator into local community frameworks, GCxN is fostering long-term capacity building. These programs don’t just benefit current cohorts of entrepreneurs—they also lay the foundation for future generations of innovators, job creators, and changemakers.
