NSF ASCEND Engine Launches Dual-Path Accelerators Focused on Environmental Resilience

NSF ASCEND Engine Launches Dual-Path Accelerators Focused on Environmental Resilience

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As part of itscommitment to advancing cutting-edge environmental intelligenceresearch for real-world deployment, the National ScienceFoundation ASCEND Engine is launching twoaccelerator cohorts focused onsupporting entrepreneurs building solutions with Engine-alignedtechnologies. These accelerators include accessto testbed infrastructure for real-worldvalidation and deployment and $300,000 in prize money for the top program participants. Applications will be accepted now through July 31, 2026. 

The NSF ASCENDEngine - Advance Sensing and Computation for Environmental Decision Making - isa U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine led by Innosphere based along the I-25 InnovationCorridor. The ASCEND Engine connects Colorado and Wyoming’s federallaboratories, R1 universities, and technology companies to develop scalablesolutions for wildfire, drought, extreme weather, and environmental resilience.

“Innospherehas offered industry-specific accelerator programs for more thantwo decades and has served 400+ companies during that time,” saidBud Michael, program director for the NSF ASCEND Engine. “Thisdual-path accelerator will allow us to provideprogramming that addresses the specific needs within theASCEND technologies focus areas as well as the common challengesfaced by start-ups in R&D intensive industries.”

The accelerators will alignwith two ASCEND programs: 

1.) ARID (Asset Resilience through Intelligent Digital Twins) is drivingtransformational impacts for power and water utilities facing the growingthreat of wildfire. The program provides access to a simulation platform forthe integration and validation of high-resolution wildfire-relevant weatherconditions, fuels monitoring, and built environment to inform proactive andreal-time utility risk management.

Relevant areas of focus include: power systems; water systems; smoke andair quality monitoring; wind monitoring in complex terrain; quantum sensing;continuous asset stress monitoring; transportation infrastructure management;and insurance and reinsurance planning and management.

2.) SHIELD (Soil Health Innovation, Evaluation, and Demonstration) is anoperational scale living laboratory to incubate soil health measurementtechnologies in a rigorously validated testbed environment. The programaccelerates scalable measurement technologies, novel soil healthcharacterization, and adaptive management capabilities powered by environmentaldigital twins.

Relevant areas of focus include: adaptive livestock grazing management;quantum sensing; and watershed and water quality management as related to soilhealth.

The ASCEND ARIDand SHEILD 8-month accelerator programs will leverage Innosphere’s provenmodel to help 14-20 U.S. based companies within thedefined technology framework move from early prototype tocommercially viable offerings. The accelerators willaddress a broad number of topics curated specifically for companiesin the TRL 6 and later stages of technology development.The program will include access to test facilities at which companies canconduct live environment testing and obtain use-case feedback fortechnology and business model refinement. 

A prize for the topthree program participants in each cohort will be awarded at $80,000;$50,000; and $20,000 for first, second and third place, respectively.Prizes will be based on program participation, testbed utilization and finalpresentations. Additional information on the prize award userestrictions is included in the accelerator FAQ.

The application isopen now and will close on July 31 at 11:59 p.m. MT. Innosphere willhost applicant webinars on July 8,2026 at 11:00am MDT and Jul 22,2026 at 11:00am MDT.

For more informationand to submit your application, visit innosphere.org/accelerator. 

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AboutInnosphere: 

Innosphereis the Colorado-based nonprofit venture development organization — builtfor entrepreneurs turning discovery into companies. We bringacceleration, capital, infrastructure, and partners together to advance theregion and enhance national competitiveness. Founded in 1998, Innosphereoperates the Innosphere Accelerators, the NSF ASCEND Engine,and convenes the Colorado Innovation Council across four advancedindustry sectors. In 2025, Innosphere supported 102 startups, facilitated $248Min capital raised, and supported 171 full-time jobs. Cumulative impact since2013: 400+ companies served, 2,000+ jobs created. 

Visit www.innosphere.org tolearn more.  

About the NSFASCEND Engine:  

TheNSF ASCEND Engine - Advance Sensing and Computation for Environmental DecisionMaking - is a U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine ledby Innosphere. Based along the I-25 Innovation Corridor, the ASCENDEngine connects Colorado and Wyoming’s federal laboratories, R1 universities,and technology companies to develop scalable solutions for wildfire, drought,extreme weather, and environmental resilience. The Engine addresses globalchallenges from one of the world’s most capable regional centers of excellencefor environmental intelligence. Projected 10-year impact: $1.5B in regional GDPand 22,000 new jobs by 2034.   

Visit innosphere.org/nsf-engine tolearn more. 

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