GridReady Cohort Application
This application should take 2 hours or less to complete. Applicants can click the save button at the bottom to save their form and either choose to set up a Jotform account or continue without an account and receive an email link to their draft to continue at a later time.
Qualifications
Grid Catalyst is recruiting startup businesses offering emerging technology solutions that are ready to be implemented as part of pilot projects with a utility partner in 2027. These questions will be used to select finalists to participate in the GridReady Technology Showcase event where utility partners will identify technologies they are interested in exploring for potential pilots.
Applicant Contact Information
Company Name
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Company Website (or LinkedIn Page)
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Address
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Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Point of Contact
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Email
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example@example.com
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About Your Technology
Provide a short description of the product or service you are looking to demonstrate with a utility partner through GridReady and how its value proposition is unique in this market.
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0/200
Choose which utility priority area your technology addresses.
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Grid Modernization or Grid-Enhancing Technologies
Energy Storage
Electrification
Other
If "Other" - Please provide a clear description of the utility-focused problem and how your technology addresses the identified problem. Note that applications addressing priority areas will be prioritized.
0/200
Is your technology or solution already available/operating in the marketplace?
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Yes
No
Please describe any current installations or operations.
0/300
Please identify the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your existing technology.
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TRL-1. Basic principles of concept are observed and reported.
TRL-2. Technology concept and/or application formulated.
TRL-3. Analytical and experimental critical function and/or proof of concept.
TRL-4. Component and/or validation in a laboratory environment.
TRL-5. Component and/or validation in a simulated environment.
TRL-6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a simulated environment.
TRL-7. Prototype ready for demonstration in an appropriate operational environment.
TRL-8. Actual technology completed and qualified through tests and demonstrations.
TRL 9. Actual technology proven through successful deployment in an operational setting.
Refer to the
GridReady Guide for Startup Applicants
for more detailed descriptions of each TRL.
Additional Information Required - please provide an overview of ongoing activities that will advance your technology to TRL 7 by December 1, 2026
0/300
Thank you for your interest in GridReady, but your technology does not meet the minimum criteria for this opportunity. Please consider applying again in the future.
Please provide a brief description of any testing or validation activities and key results that support your TRL designation.
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0/200
Briefly describe the ideal Minnesota-based pilot for your product or technology.
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0/200
Identify any known competitors with a similar product or service.
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0/100
Are these competitors operating in the Minnesota market?
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Yes
No
Unknown
Is your technology patented?
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Yes
No
Patent Pending
Does your technology have UL certification?
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Yes
No
Not applicable to this technology
If no, what is your plan for UL certification?
0/200
How does the expected delivered cost of your technology at full scale compare to existing solutions?
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Already cost-competitive with incumbent solutions.
Expected to reach cost parity within 2 years.
More than 2 years away from cost parity, but has a clear path to becoming cost-competitive.
Currently more expensive than incumbent solutions, with no clear path to cost competitiveness without significant additional R&D.
Insufficient information to assess cost competitiveness.
How does the technical performance of your technology compare to existing solutions?
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Provides improved performance compared to existing solutions.
Provides equivalent performance (similar functionality across key parameters).
Provides lower performance than existing solutions.
Insufficient information to assess technical performance.
Addresses a novel problem for which no incumbent solution exists.
Please briefly describe the performance improvements.
0/150
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About Your Organization
Provide a short description of your company.
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0/200
How many employees or contractors work for your company? A number is required in each box
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What year was your company incorporated?
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Financial Security
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through federal grants as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through state grants as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through angel investors as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through founders/family/friends as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through venture capital or private equity as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
Approximately how much funding (in USD) have you secured through other sources as of Q1 2026?
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I have not secured funding from this source
<$250,000
$250,000 - $500,000
$500,000 - $1M
$1M - $4M
$4M - $15M
$15M+
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Required File Uploads
These documents are required. If any are missing, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be evaluated. If there are any errors with your file upload, please email your attachments to info@gridcatalyst.org.
Executive Summary - Please submit an executive summary of your proposed technology.
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Pitch Deck - Please submit a 10-15 slide summary of your company and your product/solution, including milestones planned or achieved.
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Project Team - Please submit a brief description (1 page limit) of key leadership and/or technical personnel you anticipate would be most involved with this pilot demonstration. Include their roles and technical qualifications/experience relevant to the execution of this project.
*
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