NECEC’s Cleantech Navigate Northeast program announced a collaboration with the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $4.5 million Clean Technology and Innovationprogram to support technology advancements for a clean energy future. NECEC is a recipient of a Wells Fargo Clean Technology and Innovation grant of $100,000.

“NECEC looks forward to working with Wells Fargo to enhance the support we provide to entrepreneurs through our Cleantech Navigate Northeast program,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “This funding will support the future development of our program and the Northeast’s innovation ecosystem.”

Wells Fargo’s Clean Technology and Innovation grant program began in 2012 as part of Wells Fargo’s commitment to provide $100 million to environmentally-focused nonprofits, colleges and universities by 2020. It is funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and is strategically aligned with the company’s vision and values to foster economic development, especially in underserved communities, to accelerate the global “green” economy. The goal of the program is to inspire innovation from entrepreneurs and fund research entities working on critical environmental issues.

“Wells Fargo recognizes that the health of our environment is critical to fostering more sustainable communities today and for years to come,” said Ashley Grosh, head of Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs Clean Technology program. “We’re pleased to announce NECEC as a recipient of Wells Fargo’s environmental grant program to help provide long-term solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges.”

NECEC’s Cleantech Navigate Northeast program is the only year-round, region-wide resource network helping entrepreneurs in the Northeast make quality, targeted connections on a regional scale. Working with leaders from across the region, the program identifies the business needs of cleantech entrepreneurs and provides tailored access to critical resources needed to develop, scale and succeed as quickly as possible.

Last fall, Wells Fargo launched the Innovation Incubator (IN²) program, a $10 million environmental grant for clean technology startups funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to foster the development of early stage clean technologies for commercial buildings.

A full list of 2014 grant recipients can be found at blog.wellsfargo.com/environment/. Details of the program and a link to the 2015 application can be found at wellsfargo.com/about/csr/ea/environmental-giving.

About NECEC (New England Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute)

NECEC is a regional non-profit clean energy business, policy and innovation organization whose mission is to accelerate the region’s clean energy economy to global leadership by building an active community of stakeholders and a world-class cluster of companies. NECEC works with clean energy businesses and entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders in the clean energy sector in New England and the Northeast through programs and initiatives that advance clean energy markets and help clean energy businesses access the resources they need to grow.

About Wells Fargo

Since 2012, Wells Fargo has provided more than $37 billion in environmental financing to environmentally beneficial businesses. This includes $3.8 billion in financing for affordable housing and commercial properties in low- to moderate-income communities. Wells Fargo has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent from 2008 levels and increased energy efficiency by 24 percent, water efficiency by 38 percent, and waste diversion by 65 percent since 2012. The company also has made strategic environmental grants totaling $40 million through two environmental grant programs focusing on community-based environmental projects as well as clean technology innovation and advancement. Wells Fargo environmental perspectives are available at the Wells Fargo Environmental Forum.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2014 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.