格林敦实验室「第一死亡谷奖学金」第二年启动：入选气候创企创始人获5万美元无稀释资助
马萨诸塞州米德尔塞克斯县萨默维尔市消息：气候科技孵化器格林敦实验室10月28日宣布，旗下「第一死亡谷奖学金」计划进入第二年，即日起开放申请。该计划为期六个月，专门扶持马萨诸塞州处在早期阶段的气候与能源技术创始人，帮助他们把技术从概念验证推进到第一台样机。
入选者将获得5万美元无稀释资助，即不必出让股权的资金支持，其中2.5万美元为生活津贴、2.5万美元为研发支持。资助由马萨诸塞州清洁能源中心提供，巴尔基金会也参与支持。入选创始人还将获得为期六个月的实际操作辅导。
主办方介绍，从概念验证到经过验证的样机是技术创始人最艰难的阶段之一，常被称为「第一死亡谷」，创始人需要在这一阶段降低技术风险、验证市场需求、为融资做准备。自2011年以来，格林敦实验室一直专注于帮助硬件初创企业跨越从样机到首个商业试点和早期收入的「第二死亡谷」，在扩大生产、争取资本、建立合作和组建团队方面提供支持。
来源：GSM·美国
Greentown Labs Launches Second Year of First Valley Fellowship With $50,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding for Early-Stage Climate Founders
SOMERVILLE, Middlesex County, Massachusetts — Greentown Labs, a climate technology incubator in Somerville, announced on Oct. 28 that its First Valley Fellowship is entering its second year and is now accepting applications. The six-month program supports early-stage climate and energy technology founders in Massachusetts, helping them move their technology from proof of concept to a first prototype.
Selected fellows receive $50,000 in non-dilutive funding — support that does not require giving up equity — split between a $25,000 living stipend and $25,000 for research and development. The funding is provided by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, with additional support from the Barr Foundation. Fellows also receive six months of hands-on mentoring.
The organizers say the stretch from proof of concept to a validated prototype is one of the hardest stages for technology founders, often called the "first valley of death," when founders must reduce technical risk, validate market demand and prepare to raise capital. Since 2011, Greentown Labs has focused on helping hardware startups cross the "second valley of death" — from prototype to first commercial pilot and early revenue — with support in scaling production, raising capital, building partnerships and assembling teams.
Source: GSM News
来源：GSM·美国（原文链接）
图片来源：Greentown Labs 自有湿实验室，Greentown Labs 官方《Boston Overview》手册照片
