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
$16M round for health tech startup growing AI agents to perform administrative tasks
A Seattle company with a talent hub in Kansas City announced Wednesday a $16 million seed round that includes investment from KCRise Fund and a promise to leverage conversational artificial intelligence alongside human talent to boost workplace productivity. Outbound AI emerged from stealth mode in 2022 to a market hungry for solutions, said Stead Burwell,…
United Way’s $2M Kauffman-backed Catalyst Fund just picked its first 22 nonprofit grantees
Leaders and organizations who are directly connected and engaged with their communities — especially communities of color — are essential to building a vibrant and inclusive Kansas City, said Gloria Jackson-Leathers, announcing a slew of grant winners from the new $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund. “We are excited to see these grants begin to benefit small…
World Refugee Day draws diverse mix of Kansas Citians, businesses
Editor’s note: This story was originally published by Kansas City PBS/Flatland, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, The Kansas City Beacon, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story. The Kansas City Public Library’s Northeast Branch parking lot was full of lively music and friendly…
JuneteenthKC, Black businesses bake celebration of culture into holiday at 18th & Vine
Thousands descended on the 18th and Vine Jazz District Saturday for the 12th annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival, a celebration of the Juneteenth holiday that greeted attendees with vendor tents, food and drink and musical performances. Makeda Peterson, program director for JuneteenthKC, described the weekend event as a celebration of the struggle for liberation and an…