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
Resilience pays off as retail incubator opens doors; Meet the first featured founders at PHKC
Launching a retail incubator in Midtown Kansas City — a physical space targeted for overlooked and under-resourced entrepreneurs — The Porter House KC faced many of the same challenges as emerging small businesses, said Miranda Schultz, but ultimately the effort made it to opening day. “It’s been nice to go through our own trial and…
Pitch prize puts founders closer to building their utopia; How KCMO is backing entrepreneurs who do the right thing
Hearing the personal reasons behind judges’ support for her business at the “Do The Right Thing” social impact pitch competition provides much-needed validation for Utopia Point, said Shereese Hameed-Muhammad. The business — launched by Patricia McCreary and Hameed-Muhammad to redesign the geriatric and disabled care community in Kansas City and beyond — was the overwhelming favorite…
Lawmakers announce $500K federal grant for KC BioHub, tout region’s job creation, innovation
Kansas City’s “top-notch” research capabilities and talented workforce prove the region is ready to lead the country in innovation, said Sharice Davids, revealing news that the local Tech Hubs initiative would receive another $500,000 in federal funding. The award for the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) comes less than a…
Innovation Festival returns Aug. 16 with focus on human connections in a surging biotech hub
While the third iteration of BioKansas’ Innovation Festival might initially seem scaled back, said Dr. Kevin Mills, the summer biosciences conference is amping up its emphasis on what makes Kansas City a great biotech hub. “The idea is really to get people with really diverse viewpoints and diverse jobs and careers together to hear from…