Supercharge Washington:
Battery Scale-Up Program
The Pacific Northwest stands at a pivotal moment.
As population and AI-powered infrastructure demands strain our grid while intensifying weather threatens communities, critical battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for resilience.
Why we need you
Rapid population growth, electrifying transportation, and expanding AI-powered infrastructure are straining our grid. At the same time, heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather threaten communities and critical battery energy storage systems (BESS) are essential for resilience. Local innovators, tribal nations, and utilities are racing to develop next-generation energy storage–but many promising technologies are stalling before they reach real-world deployment.
This is where you can make a difference. By supporting VertueLab’s Supercharge Washington: Battery Scale-Up program, you will help unlock innovation, connect researchers to pilot partners, and strengthen regional energy resilience. Your investment accelerates clean energy solutions that protect communities, create economic opportunity, and secure a climate-safe future.
Battery Scale-Up Program
The Battery Scale-Up program is a commercialization program designed to turn breakthrough battery and energy-storage ideas into pilot-ready solutions. VertueLab, in partnership with University of Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, and future partnerships with tribal nations, utilities, and workforce organizations, will support 15 early-stage companies with:
Technical Validation - Direct access to labs and testing facilities
Manufacturing Readiness - Scale-up support and supply chain pathways
Market Access - Pilot opportunities with utilities and industry
Capital & Commercialization support - Project funding and go-to-market acceleration
Community and Donor Impact
Investing in this program creates tangible outcomes for people, communities, and systems throughout the region:
Accelerate Innovation:
Turn breakthrough ideas into real-world solutions. Track progress from prototypes to pilot-ready technologies.Strengthen Communities:
Partner with tribes, utilities, and local projects to increase energy resilience and equitable access to clean energy.Grow the Regional Economy:
Expand workforce training, mentorship, and career pathways in clean energy manufacturing.Amplify National Leadership:
Position the Pacific Northwest as a hub for next-generation battery innovation and deployment.
How we’re measuring success
15 companies advance from early prototype to pilot-ready stage
2-4 demonstration projects launched with tribal, utility, or community partners
$5M+ in follow-on funding investment secured for participating innovators
Expanded collaborations among research institutions, manufacturers, and investors
Increased participation of underrepresented founders and workforce trainees.
Join Us
Your support makes these outcomes possible. We invite you to join us in shaping the region’s energy future. By helping us raise $1.5M to launch this program, you’ll directly help early-stage innovators move next-generation battery technologies from lab breakthroughs to real-world pilot projects with tribal nations, utilities, and communities. Together, we can accelerate commercialization, strengthen regional energy resilience and create a climate-safe future for generations to come.
Meet with VertueLab’s President & Executive Director, Aina Abiodun to learn more about this program.
Donate to the Battery Scale-Up Program today for a safer climate future tomorrow.