NewHavenBIZ

n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | O c t o b e r 2 0 2 2 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 13 "Many of the startups in climate technology are building physical things that need to be prototyped as they're being developed," Geballe said. "Much of the equipment that is com- monly needed for prototyping exists at MakeHaven." J.R. Logan, executive director at MakeHaven, said there is a global need for addressing climate change. "We would like to see those im- pactful innovations incubated in New Haven," Logan said. MakeHaven, which has over $1 million worth of equipment, will be the workshop where prototypes are developed in its metal shop, digital fabrication lab, woodshop, textiles lab, electronics workbenches, biolab and more, according to Logan. MakeHaven can provide access to equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters. MakeHaven also will work with its network of partners to connect climate entrepreneurs to domestic manufacturing. e creation of ClimateHaven will also mean jobs and positively impact economic development in the region, according to Geballe. "It will mean more opportunities for our students — to stick around when they graduate and work on really exciting startups," Geballe said. Fundraising support A search is currently underway for a full-time executive director to lead ClimateHaven. In advertising the position, organizers said the person will "directly contribute toward the development of New Haven as a center for climate technology," which will help speed progress toward a cleaner future. Stakeholders will provide support to the new executive director, including help with fundraising, networking, mentorship and recruitment of companies and partners. Organizers are also raising money to start ClimateHaven and are seeking corporate sponsors and funders. "We expect the organization to ©2022 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. CPAs | CONSULTANTS | WEALTH ADVISORS Shelton 203-944-2100 CLAconnect.com We'll get you there. Where is your there? CLA brings balance to get you where you want to go. be financially self-sufficient through corporate sponsorships and rent that the startups will pay," Geballe said. "But to get started, we are raising startup capital to open it up. Any organizations that would like to support this initiative, we would encourage them to reach out to us." Geballe said he anticipates that several ClimateHaven startups will be based on Yale faculty research that gets licensed to fledgling companies. However, ClimateHaven won't be solely for Yale-affiliated entrepreneurs. "is is an incubator that will be open to all climate-related startups," Geballe said. "We expect to have startups there based on technology from UConn, or that aren't connected to an institution of higher education in Connecticut but are just being founded by other entrepreneurs." Entrepreneurs don't need to be currently based in Connecticut either. ClimateHaven is geared toward any climate-related entrepreneurs from around the country. In July, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut Innovations, the state's quasi-public venture arm, was launching a new ClimateTech Fund, with $100 million for supporting early-stage businesses focused on clean energy, environmentally-safe manufacturing and climate resiliency. Konstantine Drakonakis, venture partner at Connecticut Innovations, said getting involved in ClimateHaven is a natural fit. "ClimateHaven is the ideal inter- section for CI's ClimateTech Fund," Drakonakis said. "Growing companies need office space, labs, talent, resourc- es and access to capital. ClimateHaven will help to provide all of those things, and we are thrilled to do our part in building the ecosystem." "At the highest level, we want Cli- mateHaven to provide all the essential support to help promising green tech companies grow and thrive," he added. ClimateHaven's website is at Climatehaven.tech. Follow it on Twitter @ClimateHaven. n A group learns the fundamentals of soldering in the main fabrication lab at MakeHaven. PHOTO | COURTESY MAKEHAVEN

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