The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has been selected as a Stage One winner for the 2023 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition. ACORE will receive a $50,000 cash prize that will be used to support diverse entrepreneurs through the ACORE Accelerate Membership Program.

“ACORE is committed to building partnerships that pave the way for more underrepresented entrepreneurs to enter the renewable energy sector,” said ACORE President and CEO Gregory Wetstone. “We are very grateful to the U.S. SBA for this award. This funding will be used to broaden our network of people and resources that support inclusive entrepreneurship.”

The ACORE Accelerate Membership Program was launched in December 2020 to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within the renewable energy sector. The ACORE program supports the success of renewable energy companies owned and/or operated by leaders who identify as women, Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American.

Winners of Stage One were selected through a multi-tier review panel process with experts in entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and strategic planning both inside and outside of the federal government. ACORE’s award-winning model will amplify the impact and success of Growth Accelerator Partnerships, and will help facilitate a thriving national ecosystem that advances equitable investment in innovative, high-growth small businesses.

"We are looking forward to expanding our ecosystem of support for our ACORE Accelerate member companies while collectively accelerating inclusive entrepreneurship and economic justice," said ACORE Accelerate Membership Program Manager Neelam Sakaria. "This award is a true testament to the ACORE Accelerate Membership Program's impact to date and overarching mission."

With this announcement, ACORE now advances to Stage Two of the competition. For more information about the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, please visit https://www.americasseedfund.us/accelerators.

ACORE | www.acore.org