Black & Veatch

BV IgniteX® is a timeboxed, primarily virtual, cohort program designed to empower start-ups offering scalable solutions for critical human infrastructure. Program participants partner with Black & Veatch experts to co-develop, pilot, and market their new technology.

Black & Veatch is a global Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC), and Consulting company with a history of bringing innovative technologies to market. As a long-term advisor and investor in game-changing technologies, we uniquely offer the following:

• Practical experience and expertise from over 100 years of advancing tens of thousands of ideas from concept to successful implementation

• Reduced development time, cost, and risk to deploy and scale innovative ideas

• Due diligence expertise and improved confidence for your potential financiers or customers

• Market insights regarding how your technology will compete in the industry from a cost, performance, and risk standpoint

• Project development experience to further inform how your ideas will scale in the market

• A global reach with professionals, suppliers, clients, and projects throughout the world

• Networking and support for future opportunities

Participants receive a $5000 stipend to cover travel costs in addition to marketing, education, consultation, mentorship, in-kind services, pitch development coaching, access to our vast industry network, and participation in a showcase event.

Each participant works with a Black & Veatch champion to develop a unique and individual partnering plan based on the shared objectives of Black & Veatch and the participant which becomes the focus of the IgniteX program engagement. Black & Veatch has the experience, flexibility, and culture of innovation necessary to tailor support to the specific needs and technology of your start-up. Examples of how Black & Veatch can support program participants include (but is not limited to) the following:

• Co-development opportunities

• Contracting services

• Customer identification and introductions

• Direct financial investments

• Early adopter purchases of your software, equipment, or services

• Engineering and design support

• EPC partnership services

• Go-to-market planning

• Grant application submittal support

• Introductions to clients, suppliers, and investors

• Joint marketing and business development

• Procurement/supply chain support

• Product testing and pilot opportunities

• Proposals for services

• Sales development support

• Participants receive an average estimated value of $75,000 - $100,000 during the IgniteX program. The ultimate goal is to form a long-term strategic relationship, and we continue to work with most BV IgniteX participants long after program.

Recruitment and Application

• Application via short online form

• Program is most impactful for start-ups that have completed technology validation and are ready for pilot or full-scale deployment

Selection

• Black & Veatch experts review applications and select start-up participants, usually five to eight

• Selection criteria include fit between startup’s and Black & Veatch’s objectives and capabilities, business/team, level of technology development, and other considerations.

• Core Program (3-4 months)

• Primarily a virtual program, with a kickoff, workshops, meetings, and a concluding event

• Program participants are partnered with Black & Veatch champion, objectives of the partnering engagement are aligned, and the expected deliverables and outputs are worked on during the program.

Kick-Off Event (2 days)

• In-person event to network, learn, and work.

Concluding Event (with Showcase) (2 days)

• In-person event to network, learn, and work

• Showcase to highlight participants’ innovative ideas, summary of program engagement with Black & Veatch, and future plans.

• Post-Program (ongoing)

• Post-accelerator engagement plan developed to ensure participants get level and type of support they need to successfully scale the technology and strengthen our relationship. This may include project support, joint business development, government grants, etc.

The BV IgniteX® program is designed to support companies that have reached at least the prototype stage of development and are looking to focus on scaling their technology and deploying it in the real world. However, companies in the testing and validation stage, as well as those in the demonstration stage, may also benefit from participating in the program. Our goal is to partner with companies at various stages of development as they work towards bringing their technology to market.

We use a simple application to collect the bare minimum of information, most of which you should already have on-hand (e.g., standard pitch deck). We do have a couple of questions that are specific to Black & Veatch to explore how we might work together. The application should take about an hour to complete.

Black & Veatch is headquartered in the Kansas City area. We plan for a couple of events you will be required to attend in-person in Kansas City or another suitable location. The remaining programming will be virtual.