Industry Growth Forum 2026

The NREL Industry Growth Forum (IGF) is the premier event for energy innovation and investment.

IGF connects cutting-edge startups with forward-thinking investors to accelerate partnerships and drive quality deal flow across the energy innovation ecosystem.

The event features energy technology startup pitch competition,1:1 networking, and insight into emerging technologies.

Registration for IGF 2026 opens December 2025.
 

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Scaling Energy Innovation for Lasting Impact

High-Impact Startups

High Impact Startups graphic

IGF 2023-2024 startups have raised $4.2B in follow-on funding since the event

The Right Mix

The Right Mix for Big Impact graphic

IGF draws more than 1,000 attendees including investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders

Capital Ready to Work

Capital Ready to Work graphic

In 2025, participating firms reported $43.4B in planned investments over the next 12 months

Connections That Count

Connections That Count graphic

IGF facilitates more than 2,600+ 1:1 meetings in 18 hours to identify and drive startup deal flow
 

What You'll Experience at IGF
Unmatched 1:1 Networking

Unmatched 1:1 Networking

Schedule 1:1 meetings with investors, corporate venture groups, startups, and other industry professionals.
World Class Pitching Competition

World Class Pitch Competition

Watch the top up-and-coming energy tech companies pitch their game-changing innovations.

Pitch competition applications are open Sept. 29 – Nov. 17, 2025.
The Future of Energy

The Future of Energy

Explore the technologies, business models, and trends shaping the next generation of energy innovation, backed by NREL’s deep technical expertise and decades of leadership in energy systems integration.

 		  

Where Every Conversation is an Opportunity
A seated man is talking

"IGF is a one-of-a-kind place. There are deals being made and there is no such thing as a bad conversation. To schedule that many meetings would take me weeks, or even months. And to do it in one sitting and get clear feedback and understand whether or not there can be a second conversation is just worth its weight in gold."

- Michael Solomentsev, Palanquin Power (Winner of IGF 2025 Best Early Venture)
 

IGF 2026 Birds-Eye View

MARCH 31

Main Conference begins at 5 p.m.
  • NREL TECH WORKSHOPS (TBD)
  • WELCOME HAPPY HOUR
  • MEET THE 2026 PRESENTERS

APRIL 1

Main Conference
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

 

 
  • 1:1 STARTUP / INVESTOR MEETINGS
  • PITCH COMPETITION
  • NETWORKING LUNCHEON
  • REVERSE PITCHES
  • KNOWLEDGE BARS
  • NETWORKING RECEPTION

APRIL 2

Main Conference
8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

 
  • 1:1 MEETINGS
  • PANELS AND CONTENT
  • SERVICE PROVIDER ROUND TABLES
  • KNOWLEDGE BARS
  • PITCH AWARDS LUNCHEON