Worcester CleanTech Incubator launches

Laura Finaldi Joe Bush, executive director of the Institute for Energy and Sustainability, spoke at the ribbon cutting for the organization's new location.

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By Laura Finaldi

The Worcester CleanTech Incubator formally launched on Thursday as part of an all-day energy conference hosted by the Northeast Clean Energy Council.

The Incubator space, which is in the Printer's Building at 44 Portland St., is the physical embodiment of the Institute for Energy and Sustainability, a project formerly housed at Clark University that was a joint venture of Clark, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern. The Institute officially moved into the Printer's Building in January and can accommodate 40 to 50 people in its 11,000 square foot incubator space, said Joe Bush, executive director of the Institute for Energy and Sustainability.

The event was part of the Northeast Clean Energy Council Strategic Partner and Innovation Summit, which brought together business leaders, city and state officials and clean tech entrepreneurs for a educational and networking event. About 150 people attended the all-day event.

Speakers at the incubator's ribbon cutting ceremony included Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew A. Beaton, Worcester city manager Ed Augustus, National Grid director of partnerships Carlos Nouel, Northeast Clean Energy Council president Peter Rothstein, and CEO of Greentown Labs Emily Reichert.

Greentown Labs, based in Somerville, is the largest incubator in the country, with 50 member companies, 400 jobs created and over $180 million invested. However, Reichert said, none of this would have been possible without the support of the city of Somerville, so the fact that the city of Worcester supports WCTI is crucial to its future growth.

WCTI is affiliated with maker space Technocopia, which is located in the same building as the incubator. Startups at WCTI will have access to Technocopia's tools and materials.

Currently, 12 people from six different startups are housed at WCTI.