Cleantech to United States of America 2023

Program dates

June to October 2023 

Key event

Climate WeekExternal Link. NYC, 17-24 September 2023, New York City

Why this market

The United States of America has a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. Energy Innovation modelling shows the U.S. must rapidly deploy clean energy technologies including solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, smart thermostats, and grid technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions soon enough to achieve its net-zero emissions target. To accelerate this process, the US government is estimated to direct over AU$1.2 trillion in federal support to clean energy and sustainability technologies over the next ten years through a mix of grants, tax credits, loans, and direct federal program spending. 

Moreover, six of the world’s top investment hubs for cleantech are located within the USA – with over AU$80 billion in investments over the past decade. Large corporations like Amazon, Cargill, Walmart and General Motors have joined financial investors in backing cleantech businesses. Initiatives to adopt cleaner technologies sweep across the private and public sectors. Infrastructure laws in the USA are bringing upgrades to the power grid, a nationwide EV network, pollution management, clean water delivery and resilience to extreme weather events. The US Department of Agriculture has set a goal to boost production while reducing the sector’s environmental footprint by 50%.

Participation requirements and success factors

Eligibility for the overall Program

• Have headquarters in NSW
• Have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) registered for NSW 
• Be export-capable and export-ready
• Have an employee number between 3 and 199 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees 
• The product or service must be produced primarily in NSW
• The product or service is achieving sales already in NSW
• Have a website featuring the product or service
• Be prepared to adapt the product or service for the new market 
• Be flexible regarding market-entry method
• Have resources to support marketing and development for a new market
• Be willing to travel to the selected market (where and when travel is permitted) and/or to Sydney for events, and must cover own travel expenses

Note this program is designed for NSW businesses who produce and own their own brand. This program is not for aggregators, traders, or businesses who sell services to exporters.

Additional eligibility requirements for this stream

• Already generating revenue or already have funding to support US market expansion

• Clear pathway to profitability or already a profitable business
• Already identified potential customers / partners in the US - and/or some market traction

The ideal participant

• Unique and innovative cleantech product
• Compelling proposition for the US market
• Have established a US product-market fit
• May have an employee who already does some work in the US
• Commitment to scale to the US within the next 12 months
• Ideal product /service categories for Climate Week NYC:
  • Clean energy
  • Sustainable transportation
  • Carbon removal
  • Regenerative food systems
  • Net-zero buildings

Businesses not eligible for this stream

• Previous Going Global Export Program participants “to the USA” 

Curriculum

Introductory session

• Welcome session, late June TBC

Market intelligence briefings and cultural training 

• The USA clean tech ecosystem
• Go-to-market strategy
• Pitch coaching
• Setup (business registration, tax and structure)
• Raising capital in the US (preparation, representation and legal)

Preparation to meet potential partners/customers 

• Help refining your pitch and go-to-market strategies
• 1:1 advisory from Investment NSW staff
• Access to mentor(s) to advise your business on USA expansion

Introductions to potential partners/customers

• A ticket for one delegate to attend the tradeshow
• Opportunities to network with potential customers and partners
• Business matching to in-market stakeholders, potential partners and customers

Ongoing advice and follow up

• Ongoing support provided by a dedicated NSW Government Export Adviser.

*note: the curriculum is subject to change

Apply

Applications closed Sunday 11 June 2023