DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation Requests Public Feedback on Initiative to Drive Industrial Innovation through Private Capital

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) today announced a request for information (RFI) on how to facilitate cooperation between private-sector investors and DOE-supported technology developers. Responses to this RFI will inform the design of a new program concept: the Industrial Technology Capital Connector (ITCC).

"DOE has a proven track record of finding, developing, and supporting the next-generation technologies that help industry innovate," said Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE) Audrey Robertson. "By facilitating private-sector funding opportunities, the ITCC will improve communication between technology developers and industrial users, ensuring DOE's research, funding, and technical assistance reflects the needs and capabilities of industry."

The ITCC will serve as a matchmaking program that accelerates the commercialization of American industrial technologies by empowering the private sector to actively participate in research and development (R&D). To promote investment from American businesses, the program will feature a "fast-track" process that advances technologies across multiple energy-intensive industries. DOE is seeking input from capital providers (e.g., venture capital, angel investors, financial institutions) and adjacent organizations (e.g., incubators, accelerators, venture studios), as well as industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

With support from the ITCC, technology developers will be better positioned to quickly attract private-sector interest and guidance. Technological innovations supported by the ITCC will help meet the energy needs of data centers and improve manufacturing processes for critical products and commodities.

Industrial Technology Capital Connector RFI

The RFI requests feedback on the following topics: (1) capital provider's perspective on the ITCC, (2) capital provider's familiarity with DOE funding, technical assistance, and technology analysis programs, and (3) how to better align R&D funding and technical assistance programs with capital provider's interests.

The ITCC is led by CMEI's Industrial Technologies Office. To learn more and to provide feedback, view the RFI.