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American-Made Challenges

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DAC Pre-Commercial EPIC Prize

Regional incubators develop creative and impactful plans to support entrepreneurs and innovators in the direct air capture (DAC) space.
stage:
Phase 1 'Think It' Kick Off Webinar
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Summary
Timeline
Updates6
Forum8
Teams178
Resources
FAQ
Summary

Overview

The Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pre-Commercial Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize awards up to $3.7 million in cash prizes to incubator teams that submit creative and impactful plans to support entrepreneurs and innovators in the DAC space and create meaningful community engagement. It aims to support both emerging and established direct air capture incubators and accelerators in implementing those plans to develop strong clusters, resources, and connections for energy startups and entrepreneurs.

Accelerating Just and Sustainable Carbon Management Solutions 

The DAC Pre-Commercial EPIC Prize (DAC EPIC Prize) is part of a suite of interconnected competitions in the American-Made DAC Prize program. Understanding that there are several steps to move from an idea to a marketable product, the DAC Prizes are a suite of prizes that work together to advance carbon dioxide removal technologies and the incubators that make this process possible. 

Incubators play a critical role in helping transition direct air capture technologies from an idea to a marketable product, through design support, connections with industry resources, business strategy assistance, and much more. The DAC EPIC Prize supports solutions that have the potential to accelerate regional economic development, strengthen national innovation capacity, and expand domestic carbon removal manufacturing and technology development. 

Who Can Compete?

Incubator organizations and programs that aid in the development of new business ventures, business accelerators, co-working startup communities, or any other organizations that self-identify as advocates for innovation and entrepreneurship are encouraged to compete. 

Prize Structure

The DAC EPIC Prize follows the structure of the original EPIC Prize, created by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions, but applies a carbon capture focus to the competition. Teams win increasingly larger prizes as they make the most progress and impact over the course of three phases: Think It, Move It, and Prove It. 

Think It

Competitors in this phase design an impactful, novel plan that focuses on the program requirements. The plan should address:

  • The framework for meeting program requirements and what support gaps it addresses 
  • How the team will recruit and enable entrepreneurs and innovators to launch and improve direct air technology businesses
  •  Proposed metrics to evaluate its success, and more. 

Move It

Only winners of Think It are eligible to compete in Move It. Teams move their solutions forward by demonstrating momentum for implementation, including:

  • Progress toward implementation
  • Recruiting entrepreneurs and innovators
  • Building a support and resource network
  • Collecting metrics to measure success. 

Prove It

Only winners of Move It are eligible to compete in Prove It. Competitors prove the success of solution implementation, including: 

  • Metrics and documentation that demonstrate success
  • A plan to drive long-term growth
  • A strategy for sustained commercialization and support.  

Guidelines

Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing.

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, follow this HeroX page, , or email prize administrators directly at .   

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, the DAC Prizes suite is supported by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Learn more about the DAC Prizes

Timeline

Challenge Timeline

start
Dec. 13, 2022, 7:29 a.m. PST
Date Launched
March 9, 2023, 9:01 a.m. PST
Enter
Phase 1 'Think It', Official Launch and Prize Open
April 12, 2023, noon PDT
Phase 1 'Think It' Kick Off Webinar
Phase 1 'Think It' Kick Off Webinar. More details to come.
June 4, 2023, 8:40 p.m. PDT
You are here
June 22, 2023, 2 p.m. PDT
Submission Deadline
Phase 1 'Think It', Submission Deadline at 5 pm ET
Aug. 1, 2023, 5 a.m. PDT
Enter
Phase 2 'Move It', Anticipated Launch and Prize Open
Feb. 22, 2024, 2 p.m. PST
Submission Deadline
Phase 2 'Move It', Anticipated Submission Deadline at 5 pm ET
April 2, 2024, 5 a.m. PDT
Enter
Phase 3 'Prove It', Anticipated Launch and Prize Open
Nov. 13, 2024, 2 p.m. PST
Enter
Phase 3 'Prove It', Anticipated Submission Deadline at 5 pm ET
finish
Jan. 14, 2025, 2 a.m. PST
Won
Anticipated Winner Announcement.
Updates6

Challenge Updates

DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar Q&A Now Available on the Forum

April 26, 2023, 8:10 a.m. PDT by Becky Talley

Questions and answers from the DAC EPIC Informational webinar are now available to read on the Forum tab! Check out what others asked and learn more from the information shared!

If you have a question you'd like to ask, post it to the Forum or email prize administrators at .

 


DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar Recording Now Available

April 14, 2023, 5:41 a.m. PDT by Becky Talley

A recording of the recent Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pre-Commercial Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize informational webinar, covering eligibility, deadlines, and more, is available now. If you missed this valuable session, stream it now to catch up on any prize details you may have missed. 

The deadline to submit your entry to the DAC EPIC Prize is June 22. Incubators and accelerators interested in competing in this $3.7 million prize—and making a real impact with their projects—should start prepping their submissions now. 

All the below submission materials must be uploaded to the DAC EPIC Prize HeroX page before the contest closing date: 

  • 90-second video 
  • Cover page content 
  • Core narrative that answers four questions (not to exceed 2,500 words) 
  • One-slide PowerPoint summary (public) 
  • Letters of commitment or support (optional).

*Note: Portions of the submission package will be made available to the public. See contest rules for complete details or submission requirements. 

Still have questions? Email , and we will be happy to help. You can also use the public HeroX Forum to ask questions and spark discussions with HeroX community members. 

 


DAC EPIC Prize Webinar is Tomorrow – Register Now!

April 11, 2023, 9 a.m. PDT by Becky Talley

It’s not too late to sign up to join us for the informational webinar for the Direct Air Capture (DAC) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize, tomorrow, April 12 at 3 p.m. ET. Register now to attend!

The webinar will provide an overview of the DAC EPIC Prize “Think It” Phase submission requirements, scoring criteria, eligibility, and more.  

Follow this page to receive updates, watch the recorded webinar, and connect with the DAC community.

Register now for the DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar on April 12.

 


Register Today for the DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar

April 7, 2023, 2:06 p.m. PDT by Becky Talley

Don’t miss the informational webinar for the Direct Air Capture (DAC) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize on April 12 at 3 p.m. ET. 

Get an overview of the DAC EPIC Prize “Think It” Phase submission requirements, scoring criteria, eligibility, and how your impactful plan to support direct air capture entrepreneurs and innovators can earn a share of $3.7 million in prizes.  

Make sure to follow this page to receive updates and get answers to questions asked in the webinar!

Register now for the DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar on April 12.


Join us April 12 for the DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar

March 30, 2023, 2:14 p.m. PDT by Becky Talley

Join an informational webinar for the Direct Air Capture (DAC) Energy Program for Innovation Clusters (EPIC) Prize, happening April 12 at 3 p.m. ET. 

During the webinar, prize administrators will give participants an overview of the DAC EPIC Prize “Think It” Phase submission requirements, scoring criteria, eligibility, and more. 

Can’t make it? You’ll find the full webinar recording, as well as answers to your questions, posted on HeroX after the event—make sure you’re following this page to receive updates as soon as they’re posted! You can also post a question to the public HeroX Forum to gather feedback from the community and prize administrators. 

Register now for the DAC EPIC Prize Informational Webinar on April 12.


Forum8
Teams178
Resources
FAQ