Washington state Dept. of Commerce commits $3M for ‘Innovation Cluster Accelerator’

Washington state’s Division of Commerce immediately introduced an “Innovation Cluster Accelerator” that provides 5 organizations $550,000 to construct an “innovation cluster” in a given business. The state is utilizing the prevailing Washington Maritime Blue accelerator, Canada’s Superclusters Initiative, and the Norwegian Innovation Clusters as fashions for the brand new program. Listed below are the 5 organizations getting funding, with descriptions from the Dept. of Commerce (4 extra clusters might be added later this 12 months):

• Enterprise Digital Development Ecosystem (EDGE) Cluster, led by the 5G Open Innovation Lab — utilizing edge computing and 5G to digitally remodel agriculture, power and utilities, healthcare, manufacturing and transportation and logistics.
• Superior Know-how Cluster, led by the Washington Know-how Trade Affiliation — utilizing quantum computing and distributed ledger applied sciences (blockchain) to develop superior applied sciences and keep Washington’s expertise management.
• Consortium for Hydrogen and Renewable Generated E-Fuels (CHARGE), led by WSU’s Joint Middle for Deployment and Analysis in Earth and Plentiful Supplies (JCDREAM) — exploring using hydrogen to decarbonize heavy-duty transport, aviation and transport and cut back reliance on non-renewable gas sources.
• Decarbonizing the Constructed Surroundings Cluster, led by The Clear Tech Alliance — advancing the event and adoption of unpolluted applied sciences to decarbonize components of the constructed setting together with human-made buildings, options corresponding to power and transportation, and amenities the place folks reside and work.
• Washington VERTical, led by the Port of Benton — accelerating the transition to wash, renewable and non-emitting power manufacturing sources by 2025 by way of superior nuclear energy applied sciences.