About Entrepreneurs in Residence

 

The primary vehicle by which we research, develop and deploy novel market strategies, business models and public policy solutions is our Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program. It allows CalCEF to collaborate with world-class leaders of vision, experience and capacity to address key barriers to the commercialization, deployment and expansion of clean energy technologies.

Each EIR project results in a white paper detailing research findings, as well as actionable recommendations for solving market or policy failures. Optimally, a business plan, financial product and/or policy will also be born by the end of each EIR’s term that can be piloted with CalCEF as a solution for the given problem. Through the collaborative research and review process, the EIR program not only advances potential solutions to clean energy challenges but also identifies, develops and networks current and future industry leaders.

How It Works

 

Each EIR project follows a five-step process: research, development, convening, publishing and demonstration.

  1. During the research stage, CalCEF staff identify a specific problem, potential novel solutions and a suitable EIR to undertake further exploration of the topic.
  2. The EIR then develops a subset of these concepts; they analyze and characterize the market barriers and further refine business and policy remedies. Their work is summarized in the form of a draft white paper for vetting within our peer network.
  3. EIRs convene relevant industry leaders and stakeholders in dynamic group discussions to augment and critique creative solutions to the identified challenges.
  4. Using this feedback, the EIR refines and publishes a completed white paper. The final paper, summarizing research findings and presenting vetted market and policy solutions, is released on the CalCEF website, proactively distributed to key media outlets and partners, and is made available in hard copy at select conferences in which CalCEF participates.
  5. Through pilot testing, CalCEF aims to demonstrate the viability of select innovative business models and policy mechanisms recommended by the EIR, laying the foundation to scale their adoption by other entities. CalCEF may provide capital, further research or connections to help drive both business and policy solutions.