UW CoMotion Labs launches data center-focused climate tech incubator with support from Microsoft and E8

On September 15th, 2026, The University of Washington’s CoMotion Labs, with support from Microsoft and E8, announced a new data center-focused Climate Tech Incubator for pre-seed and seed-stage companies developing technologies that address the energy, resource and infrastructure challenges associated with the rising demand for data centers. Elemental Impact will serve as an advisor and ecosystem collaborator to the program.

The program reflects a growing recognition that the Pacific Northwest is uniquely positioned to address the global challenges created by data center growth. With world-class research institutions, a deep climate tech investor network, and direct connections to the world’s largest technology companies, the region has the people, relationships, and proximity to move innovations from proof of concept to global deployment. The goal of this program is to accelerate that path.

Participants in the “Data Center Innovation Cohort” will follow a four-month program that will take place from February to May 2027 at the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub. The program builds on the demonstrated success of UW CoMotion Labs, with support from Microsoft and E8 to connect selected founders with commercialization support, technical and industry expertise, mentors, investors, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Applications are now open to founders developing technologies that can improve the way data centers and supporting infrastructure are designed, built, and operated.

Growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence is increasing the need for innovation across energy systems, cooling, water, construction materials, and other supporting infrastructure. The program will help early-stage companies develop and commercialize technologies that could improve the efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of data center infrastructure.

“Data centers are creating complex technical and infrastructure challenges that researchers at the University of Washington and local entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to help address,” said François Baneyx, UW Vice Provost for Innovation. “This program is about creating a place where founders can rigorously develop, test and commercialize technologies that respond to real-world needs, from energy and cooling to materials, water and resilient infrastructure.”

Technologies the program is seeking

The incubator is particularly interested in pre-seed and seed-stage startups working in areas including:

• Energy infrastructure and advanced electrical systems: Technologies that improve grid integration, power distribution, efficiency, resilience, and flexibility.
• Energy storage and backup power: Battery storage, long-duration energy storage and alternatives or improvements to conventional backup generation.
• Advanced cooling and thermal management: Technologies that reduce the energy and water requirements associated with cooling computing infrastructure, including next-generation liquid and air-cooling systems and heat recovery or reuse.
• Water efficiency and management: Technologies that reduce freshwater consumption, improve water reuse, or otherwise address the water requirements associated with data center operations.
• Low-carbon construction and materials: Innovations in concrete, steel, aluminum, copper and other materials or architectures that can reduce the embodied emissions and resource requirements of data center construction.
• Resource efficiency and circularity: Technologies that extend equipment and material life, enable reuse and recovery, reduce waste, or improve the management of resources throughout the data center life cycle.
• Clean energy integration: Technologies that can help integrate additional renewable and zero-emissions energy resources with data center operations and surrounding energy systems.
• Measurement, controls, and infrastructure intelligence: Hardware and software that can improve the measurement, management and optimization of energy, water, cooling, and other physical infrastructure.
• Community and infrastructure resilience: Technologies with the potential to strengthen local energy systems or provide environmental and infrastructure benefits beyond individual data center facilities.

The program will also consider technologies outside these categories that demonstrate the potential for meaningful reductions in energy use, emissions, water consumption, or other environmental impacts associated with data center infrastructure.

The technology priorities align with broader industry efforts to improve the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of data center infrastructure. Elemental Impact, through its Data Center Innovation Initiative (DCII), is chartered to advance innovation and commercialization in areas including energy systems, materials, cooling technologies, and low-carbon infrastructure. Elemental Impact will provide advisory support to help founders better understand pathways to scale.

“E8 has 20 years of experience investing in and supporting cleantech companies, and a deep network of experts in our investor community,” said Karin Kidder, E8 Executive Director. “We are excited to bring that experience to this collaboration with UW CoMotion Labs and Microsoft. Demand for data center innovation is growing quickly, and we want these founders ready for the investment that takes their technology from pilot to commercial scale.”

“Meeting growing demand for digital infrastructure requires continued innovation across energy, water, materials, and cooling,” said Brandon Middaugh, GM, Sustainable Markets at Microsoft. “Through partnerships with UW CoMotion Labs, E8, and the Elemental Data Center Innovation Initiative, Microsoft is helping cultivate breakthrough technologies in our home state of Washington to create pathways for these innovations to scale globally across the digital infrastructure ecosystem.”

Applications open for 2027 Data Center Innovation Cohort

CoMotion Labs Climate Tech Incubator programming is designed for startups that have moved beyond the idea stage and are preparing to commercialize, pilot, or scale their business. Participants receive commercialization programming and access to mentors, research connections, UW facilities, and the Seattle-area climate technology ecosystem.

The 2027 Data Center Innovation Cohort will be based at the Seattle Climate Innovation Hub in downtown Seattle.

CoMotion Labs is seeking applications from pre-seed to seed-stage startups with technologies ready to move toward commercialization, pilot deployment, or scale.

Founders developing technologies related to data center energy, cooling, water, materials, electrical infrastructure, resource efficiency, and other environmental challenges are encouraged to apply.

Join the October 15th, 2026 Information Session: https://luma.com/y7kzq0bc

Application deadline: November 15, 2026
Program dates: February 1, 2027 through May 31, 2027
Location: Seattle Climate Innovation Hub, Seattle
Eligibility: Pre-seed to seed-stage companies; additional eligibility requirements apply

For program information and application details, visit: https://comotion.uw.edu/startups-incubation/comotion-labs/comotion-labs-climate-tech-incubator/