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{{Organization
{{Merge from|Clean Energy Trust|date=April 2025}}{{Organization  
|OrganizationName=Clean Energy Trust
|OrganizationName= Evergreen Climate Innovations
|OrganizationType=Non-profit
|OrganizationType= Nonprofit Organization
|Mission=The Clean Energy Trust accelerates the growth of clean energy startups in the Midwest by providing early-stage funding and support to innovative entrepreneurs. It aims to drive environmental sustainability and economic prosperity through a robust cleantech ecosystem.
|Mission= To support entrepreneurs and startups in developing impactful climate technologies, delivering environmental, economic, and social benefits by providing catalytic capital, mentorship, and ecosystem connections across the Greater Midwest.
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|OrganizationExecutive= Chief Executive Officer
|Employees=10
|Employees= 11
|Budget=$1 million annual investment (circa 2020)
|Budget=  
|OrganizationExecutive=Chief Executive Officer
|Website= https://evergreeninno.org/
|Services=Seed funding; mentoring and networking; structured fundraising support
|Services= Early-Stage Investment; Startup Mentorship; Climate Tech Ecosystem Development; Awards and Grants
|HeadquartersLocation=41.88399, -87.63003
|ParentOrganization=
|HeadquartersAddress=20 N Upper Wacker Dr Suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
|TopOrganization=
|Website=https://evergreeninno.org/
|CreationLegislation=
|Regulations= Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
|HeadquartersLocation= 41.878766, -87.635337
|HeadquartersAddress= 20 N Wacker Dr, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606
}}
}}
'''Clean Energy Trust (CET)''' is a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering clean energy innovation by investing in and supporting high-potential cleantech startups across the Midwest, connecting entrepreneurs with capital and expertise to scale their businesses. Founded in 2010 and rebranded as Evergreen Climate Innovations in 2021, CET has historically focused on bridging the gap in early-stage funding, helping startups raise over $1 billion in follow-on investments and creating hundreds of jobs.
 
'''Evergreen Climate Innovations''' is a Chicago-based nonprofit, formerly known as [[Clean Energy Trust]], founded in 2010, dedicated to advancing climate technology innovation by supporting entrepreneurs and startups in the Greater Midwest through its pioneering 501vc® Investment Fund and various programs.


{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://evergreeninno.org/}}
{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://evergreeninno.org/}}
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==Mission==
==Mission==


CET’s mission is to catalyze the development of clean energy technologies by providing seed capital through its 501vc® Investment Fund, mentoring, and a structured fundraising program to help Midwest startups overcome capital-raising challenges and achieve commercial success. It seeks to create a healthier environment and a more prosperous economy by leveraging the region’s research institutions and fostering a collaborative ecosystem of investors, corporations, and entrepreneurs.
Evergreen Climate Innovations aims to combat the climate emergency by catalyzing innovation in climate technology. It provides early-stage funding, mentorship, and resources to startups, fostering solutions in renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation, and carbon management, while promoting inclusive economic growth and environmental impact across the Greater Midwest.


==Parent organization==
==Parent organization==


CET operates independently as a standalone nonprofit with no parent organization, though it has received funding and support from entities like the [[U.S. Department of Energy]] and the [[U.S. Economic Development Administration]] for specific programs.
Evergreen operates as an independent nonprofit without a formal parent organization, though it collaborates closely with government agencies, corporate partners, and philanthropies to fulfill its mission.


==Legislation==
==Legislation==


CET was not created by specific legislation but was established in 2010 by civic and business leaders, with initial support from a U.S. Department of Energy grant for its Clean Energy Challenge.
Evergreen was not created by specific legislation but incorporated in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the Internal Revenue Code, evolving from Clean Energy Trust (rebranded in 2021) to focus on broader climate tech innovation.


==Partners==
==Partners==


CET’s key partners include:
* U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration for funding
 
* U.S. Bank Foundation for Cleantech Inclusion Award
* [[U.S. Department of Energy]] for grant funding
* Nicor Gas for Multicultural Innovator Award
* [[U.S. Economic Development Administration]] for program support
* Heartland Climate Tech Partnership for regional collaboration
* Midwest universities and research labs (e.g., [[Argonne National Laboratory]])
* Corporate investors and utilities<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eda.gov/grantee/clean-energy-trust |title=Clean Energy Trust |publisher=U.S. Economic Development Administration |access-date=February 25, 2025}}</ref>


==Number of employees==
==Number of employees==


CET historically employed around 10 staff members during its active years, though exact numbers fluctuated with project demands and its transition to Evergreen Climate Innovations.
Evergreen employs approximately 11 staff members as of 2025, per LinkedIn and website data, including leadership, investment managers, and program coordinators, with additional support from volunteers and experts.


==Organization structure==
==Organization structure==


CET was structured around:
Evergreen is structured to support climate tech startups:
 
* Investment Team manages the 501vc® Seed Fund.
* Program Team oversees events like the Clean Energy Challenge.
* Partnerships Group facilitates industry and investor connections.


===Leader===
===Leader===


CET was led by a [[Chief Executive Officer]], with Amy Francetic serving as the founding CEO from 2010 to 2018, followed by Erik Birkerts until the 2021 rebrand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://evergreeninno.org/about-us/ |title=About Us |publisher=Evergreen Climate Innovations |access-date=February 25, 2025}}</ref>
The Chief Executive Officer is Erik Birkerts, leading the organization since July 2020, overseeing strategy, investments, and partnerships.


===Divisions===
===Divisions===


The efforts included:
Key operational areas include:
 
* 501vc® Investment Fund for early-stage capital
* Seed Funding for early-stage cleantech ventures.
* Programmatic Support for mentorship and awards
* Accelerator Programs like the Clean Energy Challenge.
* Ecosystem Development for regional collaboration
* Structured Fundraising to attract institutional investors.


==List of programs==
==List of programs==


CET’s key programs included:
* 501vc® Investment Fund
 
* U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Inclusion Award
* Clean Energy Challenge (annual competition)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1489286 |title=CET Challenge Report |publisher=OSTI |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=February 25, 2025}}</ref>
* Nicor Gas Multicultural Innovator Award
* 501vc® Seed Fund investments
* Heartland Climate Tech Partnership
* Structured Fundraising Program


==Last total enacted budget==
==Last total enacted budget==


CET invested approximately $1 million annually in startups circa 2020, with total funding from grants and donations varying yearly; specific budgets post-rebrand are under Evergreen Climate Innovations.
Evergreen’s specific budget is not publicly detailed; its operations are supported by donations, grants (e.g., $475,000 federal earmark in 2024), and corporate sponsorships, with portfolio startups raising $41 per $1 invested, though no total figure is isolated.


==Staff==
==Staff==


CET’s staff of about 10 included investment managers, program coordinators, and partnership liaisons, leveraging a lean team to maximize impact before transitioning to Evergreen.
The staff of about 11 includes Erik Birkerts (CEO), Ian Adams (Managing Director), Paul Seidler (Managing Director), and others in investment, operations, and engagement roles, supported by a board chaired by Amy Francetic and a network of Evergreen Experts.


==Funding==
==Funding==


CET’s funding came from DOE grants (e.g., $100,000 initial Challenge grant in 2011), EDA support, corporate donations, and investor contributions, totaling over $3 million in direct startup investments by 2020, amplifying to $71 million in follow-on funding.
Since 2010, Evergreen has been funded through private donations, corporate partnerships (e.g., U.S. Bank, Nicor Gas), and federal/state grants, operating as a 501(c)(3) with a revolving 501vc® Fund that reinvests returns, amplifying its impact without a fixed budget.


==Services provided==
==Services provided==


CET provided seed funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and structured fundraising assistance, enabling Midwest cleantech startups to scale and commercialize technologies for sustainability and economic growth.
Evergreen invests $100K-$250K in early-stage climate tech startups (e.g., Aquarry, Inc., 2023), offers mentorship, connects founders to investors and customers, administers awards (e.g., Cleantech Inclusion), and builds a Midwest climate tech ecosystem, supporting over 50 portfolio companies since inception.


==Regulations overseen==
==Regulations overseen==


CET did not oversee regulations but operated within the nonprofit framework, aligning with federal energy and economic development policies.
Evergreen operates under [https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/section-501c3-organizations Section 501(c)(3)] of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring tax-exempt status for its nonprofit activities, but does not create regulations.


==Headquarters address==
==Headquarters address==


20 N Upper Wacker Dr Suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
20 N Wacker Dr, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606


==History==
==History==


Founded in 2010 by Chicago civic leaders like Nick Pritzker and Michael Polsky, CET launched with the Clean Energy Challenge, growing into a leading Midwest cleantech accelerator. It invested in 95+ startups, was ranked the #1 regional accelerator by DOE in 2012, and rebranded to Evergreen Climate Innovations in 2021 to broaden its climate tech focus.
Founded in 2010 as Clean Energy Trust by Nick Pritzker and others, it rebranded to Evergreen Climate Innovations in 2021 to broaden its climate tech focus. It pioneered the 501vc® Fund, investing over $9 million in 50+ startups by 2025, raising $41 per $1 invested, and expanded with federal support (e.g., 2024 earmark) to cement Chicago as a climate innovation hub.
 
==Related==
 
See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations:
 
* [[U.S. Department of Energy]]
* [[Cleantech Open]]
* [[Heartland Climate Tech Partnership]]


==External links==
==External links==


* [https://evergreeninno.org/ Official Website]
* [https://evergreeninno.org/ Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:Clean_Energy_Trust]]
* [[wikipedia:Evergreen Climate Innovations]]
* [https://www.eda.gov/grantee/clean-energy-trust EDA Profile]
* [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evergreenclimateinnovations/ Evergreen on LinkedIn]
* [https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1489286 CET Challenge Report]


==References==
==References==


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