Idle Smart earns $125K in national clean energy program
December 1, 2016 | Bobby Burch
Idle Smart recently was dubbed a top clean-energy firm and won some substantial investment capital for its technology.
Based in Kansas City, Kan., the company was voted by its peers as the top firm in the Energy: US 2016 program, nabbing $125,000 for its smart thermostat device for fleet vehicles, such as semi-trucks. The company’s device only kicks the truck on when necessary to maintain the temperature of the cabin, recharge batteries or create engine warmth, thus saving fuel and mitigating environmental impact.
To win the program, nine startups ranked each other in a peer-selection process and named Idle Smart as the top firm. The Autonomous Tractor Corporation won second prize and $100,000.
Village Capital, the New Belgium Family Foundation and Sustainable America awarded Idle Smart the funds. As part of the program, Idle Smart also received mentoring from industry experts and potential investors.
Founded by CEO Jeff Lynch in 2012, Idle Smart is based in the Kansas City Startup Village and owns a patent on its smart thermostat tech. In July, Startland News named the company as one of its top under-the-radar startups in Kansas City.
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
LaunchKC announces 20 finalists for $50K grants
After trying deliberations that went into Monday evening, the Kansas City-based grants competition LaunchKC has revealed its 20 finalists that will vie for a piece of the $500,000 pie. The competition — which will distribute $500,000 via 10, $50,000 non-dilutive grants — drew more than 400 tech startup applicants for the second year in a…
TEDxKC offers 5 inspirational musings for entrepreneurs
From poets and inventors to musicians and activists, the eighth-annual TEDxKC on Friday challenged attendees to “question everything.” And in that questioning, 13 presenters offered an assortment of inspiring thoughts from which entrepreneurs can learn. Here are five takeaways from the event, which was hosted at the Kauffman Center of Performing Arts and presented by…
The legend of the salvaged Westport Commons mural continues
If reader reaction is any indication, Startland News may want to consider a pivot to becoming a historical art publication. Since publishing a story on Tuesday regarding an exhumed mural at Plexpod Westport Commons, thousands of people around the area and nation have taken an interest in the piece. Dozens of Facebook comments have relayed their…
Events Preview: Athena League, Customer Experience Showcase
There are a boatload of entrepreneurial events hosted in Kansas City on a weekly basis. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, supporter or curious Kansas Citian, we’d recommend these upcoming events for you. WEEKLY EVENT PREVIEW Let’s Talk About Press, Baby When: August 18 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Where: Sprint Accelerator Let’s talk about press,…