Global climate and energy-focused investment and innovation platform to collaborate with UT on student engagement, entrepreneurship, and energy systems transformation.

Breakthrough Energy (BE), a global platform focused on accelerating clean energy innovation and building the industries of the future, has joined The University of Texas at Austin’s Energy Institute as its newest strategic partner. This collaboration will focus on empowering the next generation of energy innovators through student-centered programs, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary research.

Breakthrough Energy Discovery, BE’s early-stage innovation arm focused on advancing pre-venture climate technologies, will engage with UT students through flagship initiatives such as EnergizeUT, a campus-wide energy innovation showcase, and the Energy Ventures Practicum, a hands-on course that guides students in launching energy-focused startups. Breakthrough Energy’s involvement will bring real-world insight and mentorship to these programs, helping students connect their ideas to market opportunities and global impact.

"Breakthrough Energy is committed to supporting bold ideas and the people behind them," said Ashley Grosh, Vice President of Breakthrough Energy Discovery. "UT Austin’s Energy Institute is a hub of creativity and technical excellence, and we’re excited to collaborate on programs that inspire and equip students to tackle the world’s toughest energy challenges."

The partnership also includes participation in the Energy Institute’s advisory board, where Breakthrough Energy Discovery will help shape strategic initiatives at UT in energy research, education, innovation, and commercialization. Their expertise in climate tech investment and policy will complement UT’s broad strengths in engineering, science, business, law, policy, communications and entrepreneurship.

"We welcome Breakthrough Energy Discovery to our growing network of partners," said Brian Korgel, Rashid Engineering Regents Chair Professor and Director of the Energy Institute. "Their commitment to supporting cutting-edge research, translation of new technologies from idea to commercial adoption, and developing deep partnerships among policymakers, innovators and industry leaders, aligns perfectly with our mission at UT to develop technology and student talent to address the world’s most urgent energy needs."

Breakthrough Energy Discovery joins a dynamic innovation ecosystem at UT Austin, where more than 450 faculty and staff researchers work on energy. The Energy Institute serves as the convener of this community, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, academic experts, and students to accelerate progress toward addressing society’s greatest opportunities and challenges in energy.

About Breakthrough Energy Discovery

Breakthrough Energy Discovery is the pre-venture innovation arm of Breakthrough Energy, focusing on advancing emerging climate technologies at the earliest stages. Through its three core programs—Workshops, Ecosystem Grants, and the global Fellows program—BE Discovery provides philanthropic funding, tailored support, and connections to help innovators turn bold ideas into scalable solutions.