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Element 46 Seeking Applicants for Third Cohort
Startup incubator to focus on digital health, fintech, advanced manufacturing and clean energy ventures in 2021
White Plains, New York (March 11, 2021) – Element 46, Westchester County’s premiere incubator program, is recruiting scalable startups ready to take their venture to the next level this spring.
For the first time since launching, the program will focus on supporting businesses in key sectors, including digital health, fintech (financial technology), advanced manufacturing and clean energy in its next cohort.
“Westchester County has an established position of excellence in many of these industries and we are excited to grow this community through our next Element 46 cohort,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “We have the infrastructure and assets these startups rely on to succeed and look forward to the continued growth of these, and other, sectors.”
Through the Element 46 program, startups are matched with hand-picked mentors who are leaders in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing or other key areas. Participants also gain access to a group of dedicated professional service providers, including accountants and IP attorneys, who provide pro bono services to cohort members. This spring, the program will also include its first ever “Pitch Day”, enabling participants to present their businesses to investors from across the tri-state region.
“The Element 46 experience is tailored to supporting scalable startups,” said Deborah Novick, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Westchester County Office of Economic Development. “We provide entrepreneurs with education, mentorship and the critical networking they need, to help them deepen their connections to the County and build a strong foundation upon which to grow their business.”
Startups can apply to the third cohort of Element 46 by visiting Element46.org/Apply before March 30, 2021. Priority will be given to applicants working in digital health, fintech (financial technology), advanced manufacturing and clean energy. Revenue-generating startups outside of these priority sectors are also welcome to apply.
“Westchester startups benefit from a strong and well-connected entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Westchester County Office of Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons. “We look forward to welcoming a new group of startups into the Element 46 program and watching them grow and scale in the months and years to come.”
To learn more about Element 46 or apply to the next cohort, visit: Element46.org/Apply.
About Element 46
Element 46 incubator provides training, mentoring and free workspace, to enable startups to develop their businesses within a network of peers. Entrepreneurs are embedded in an existing start-up community within Westchester. To learn more, visit Element46.org.
WPCNR THE POWER STORY. From the Mayor’s Office. March 11, 2021:
The City of White Plains and its selected developer, Distributed Solar Development (DSD), have broken ground on a nine-project, 6.8 megawatt community solar portfolio in the City that will triple the amount of solar energy produced in Westchester County.
The nine solar projects include a mix of canopy, rooftop, and ground mount installations at four parking garages, the Ebersole Ice Rink, Gedney Way Recycling Facility, Gillie Park, Water Department, and the Sanitation Complex. Systems at the Recycling Facility and Shapham Place parking garage will also include energy storage as part of the installations.
“White Plains has been a leader in New York when it comes to renewable energy. We have wanted to undertake a large-scale solar project using a city-owned portfolio of sites for years, but the low price of energy produced by NYPA and purchased by the City made such a project difficult to justify economically. Now, with NYPA’s consultation, we have been able to achieve our goal. This project is a win – for our residents, the City, and the environment,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.
“DSD’s ability to own and maintain the system enables White Plains institutions and residents to save money on energy and contribute to positive environmental outcomes. Over the 20-year term the City anticipates collecting more than $20 million in rent from hosting these installations.”
“Our work in Westchester County is a great demonstration of how local municipalities can achieve greater sustainability, secure important budget relief during the pandemic and provide meaningful benefits to the local community,” said David Eisenbud, Senior Origination Director at DSD. “Our expertise in canopy installations was a perfect fit for this partnership, and the City of White Plains will continue to be a forerunner in solar adoption because of this transformational initiative.”
When complete, the White Plains community solar portfolio will be the largest municipal renewable energy deployment in the County, producing enough energy to power more than 700 homes annually, or equivalent to removing over 1,300 cars from the road. Construction on the portfolio is expected to conclude before the fall of this year.
The New York Power Authority (NYPA), with its administrative offices in White Plains, is acting as an energy advisor on the project to ensure it is well structured and provides White Plains with the greatest possible energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
The Department of Public Works, in conjunction with NYPA, prepared a Request for Proposals (RFP) for leasing municipal property for solar development at various city locations and solicited more than 100 qualified developers.
Eight competitive proposals were received. After a thorough evaluation of the proposals and an interview process, the city chose Schenectady-based DSD and entered into a multi-year agreement to establish a Community Solar program in conjunction with Con Edison.
The projects also will help realize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s goal of installing 6,000 megawatts of solar by 2025 as called for in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
As Westchester County’s largest municipal project, the White Plains portfolio of projects also will serve as an example for other communities that may be interested in actively pursuing clean energy initiatives that allow all resident households to receive a benefit.
White Plains has a strong track record when it comes to renewable energy leadership.
In 2014, it was one of the first municipalities to adopt the New York State Unified Solar Permit, which expedited residential solar permitting.
In 2017, White Plains was designated a Clean Energy Community by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA).
DSD has partnered with Community Solar Platform to manage registration for residential and commercial customers interested in taking advantage of the renewable energy produced.