UK WiFi plug startup wins place at US global energy accelerator
WIFIPLUG has developed a WiFi enabled plug with an open API that is controlled through voice services such as using Siri, Alexa and Google. It also learns your routine to automate functions.
It is one of seven companies out of 200 selected for the Ameren Accelerator, a partnership betwteen the University of Missouri System, UMSL Accelerate and Capital Innovators in Cortex, St Louis. Each company will receive up to $100,000 in seed funding in addition to intensive mentoring, technical assistance, facilities and networking connections from the Ameren Accelerator partners.
WIFIPLUG is joined by Hyperion Sensors from Toronto, Canada that has developed a substation-hardened distributed fiberoptic sensor for high voltage assets allowing them to become intelligent as well as Switched Source from East Lansing, Michigan, that provides equipment that make the grid more resilient and efficient while supporting the integration of more distributed generation. There are two local St Louis companies in the scheme. SensrTrx is developing an industrial analytics application focused on using industrial data to improve uptime, performance, and reliability of manufacturing and industrial systems while /blossom is developing a tool for businesses to connect and gather data and control their resources remotely.
More than 200 companies from 31 countries and 23 states applied for the 12-week programme. The companies were selected through a series of interviews and evaluations, which culminated at a Pitch Day event where the final seven applicants were selected.
“Building a future energy grid that meets evolving customer needs and expectations requires collaboration, innovative thinking and investment in the technologies of tomorrow,” said Warner Baxter, chairman, president and CEO of Ameren Corporation. “The companies selected for the Ameren Accelerator offer promising innovations for the energy sector and the customers we serve. We look forward to working closely with these innovators and our partners through this unique initiative to help find new energy solutions and to deliver even greater value to our customers and the communities we serve.”
“The response to the Ameren Accelerator program was tremendous,” said Judy Sindecuse, CEO of Capital Innovators. “It wasn’t an easy choice, but we believe we’ve identified the companies that have the greatest potential to bring their energy-related innovations to life and provide value to Ameren’s customers and the energy sector.”
The companies will show their efforts at an Accelerator Demo Day in October. “The Ameren Accelerator is one of the first of its kind in the country to focus exclusively on energy technologies,” said Baxter. “The companies we selected for this innovative program come from around the globe, across our region and within our own St. Louis community. The diversity they bring in their geographic spread and areas of expertise will help us lead today and transform tomorrow.”
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