ACRE at Urban Future Lab
0%; nonprofit incubator · New York, US · Checking status
ACRE is Urban Future Lab's flagship nonprofit climate incubator and New York State's longest-running program of its kind. Market-ready startups that have raised under $5 million in private capital receive an average two to three years of fundraising, pilot, customer, hiring, design, marketing, and workspace support without equity dilution.
Tier 2 · ranked #37usclimateuniversity
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Program intake
We are checking the program's authoritative source for the current application status.
Key facts
| Check size | Non-dilutive prize awards available through annual competition; current amount not published on ACRE page |
| Terms | 0%; nonprofit incubator |
| Stage | market-ready climate startup, under $5M private capital |
| Applications | Checking status |
| Program dates | Average 2-3 years; annual Urban Future Prize pathway |
| Location | New York, US |
| Remote friendly | No |
| Warm intro needed | No — open application |
| Sectors | climate, energy, urban-tech |
| Status | open |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Background
Entry is connected to the annual Urban Future Prize Competition: two grand-prize and two runner-up winners are admitted and other finalists may be invited. The program advertises an 88% success rate and a network of more than 250 climate investors, with alumni including Air Company, Amperon, Dollaride, and NineDot Energy.
How the application really works
Apply through the annual Urban Future Prize route and complete competition selection. Confirm the live cutoff and award schedule on the linked current competition page.
Tips
- Read the cited current official page before applying because program dates and terms are volatile.
- State fit with the documented stage, geography, and attendance model; do not rely on an aggregator's old terms.
- Ask for the complete investment, fee, and follow-on documents when the public page does not publish them.
Watch out for
- No equity; competition provides non-dilutive cash awards, but the current amount is not stated on the checked ACRE page.
- Admission is tied to the annual Urban Future Prize Competition. Current prize amount and exact cutoff were not published on the checked ACRE page.
Track record
- Official page advertises an 88% success rate and highlights Air Company, Amperon, Dollaride, and NineDot Energy.
Competition names two grand-prize and two runner-up winners; other finalists may be invited. Application volume is not published.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this program currently accepting applications?
- Apply through the annual Urban Future Prize route and complete competition selection. Confirm the live cutoff and award schedule on the linked current competition page.
- What are the current economics?
- No equity; competition provides non-dilutive cash awards, but the current amount is not stated on the checked ACRE page.
- How large and long is the program?
- Average two to three years of support and a 250+ climate-investor network; total active company count not published. Bespoke two-to-three-year incubation with fundraising, pilots, customers, hiring, marketing, and workspace.
- Can founders participate remotely?
- New York-centered incubator with physical workspace; no fully remote promise.
- What happens after the program?
- Long-duration incubation and 250+ climate investors; no guaranteed follow-on check.
Related accelerators
Sources
- www.ufl.nyc/acre — Current eligibility, average duration, nonprofit/non-equity structure, annual selection, investor network, services, outcomes, and application route (checked 2026-08-10)