We use Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) as a rough guide. TRL 6 or 7 is the sweet spot: you've validated your solution in a real or near-real environment and you're ready to run a structured pilot with an actual partner. Below TRL 6 (still working toward MVP) is generally too early. Earlier-stage companies are considered case by case, but the expectation is you'll reach pilot-ready within the first three months of the cohort.

Not at all. Some of the most compelling pilots we've seen are process-based: a bundled approach, a deployment framework, a replicable community model. What matters is that there's something specific to validate, document, and scale. If you can say what needs to be proven, who the stakeholders are, and what a replicable result looks like, you've got a pilot worth talking about.

Yes, but lead with clarity. Anchor your application on the piece of your business with the most traction and the clearest pilot story. You can reference a broader structure or related entity, but the selection committee is looking for focus. If two distinct companies are both genuinely strong candidates, think through which one has the better case and put that one in the lead.

Please do. If you're already in conversation with a potential pilot host (a campus, a property, a municipality, a nonprofit), bring that relationship with you. We'll help you structure and scope it, sharpen the narrative, and define what success looks like. We can also work in parallel to surface additional California-based opportunities through our network.

Not at all. We've had companies join from across the country and internationally. What matters is a real commitment to making an impact in the California market. It's the fourth-largest economy in the world and one of the best proving grounds for sustainability solutions anywhere. If California is on your roadmap, this is the right room.

Last year we received nearly 100 applications. After the April 10 deadline, our internal team reviews everything and narrows the pool to roughly 25 to 30 finalists. A 10-person selection committee then makes the final calls. In practice, you're probably competing head-to-head against around 20 companies, and we deliberately limit overlap between solution areas so you're rarely up against a direct peer.

There isn't a formal one, or really a need for one. The cohort is curated to around about 15 companies by design, so not everyone who applies gets in. Your best move is to apply with a specific, honest picture of where you are: your traction, your pilot readiness, your California angle.

As a community-based nonprofit we don’t take equity. And although we won't promise capital introductions, we facilitate them regularly. Past cohorts have raised seed rounds, landed acquisitions, and connected with family offices, strategics, and climate-focused VCs. All in all NZA companies have raised an estimated $75 million during or following their participation. The program builds real touchpoints with capital partners throughout the six months. Think relationships, not guarantees.

Realistically, 5 to 10 hours a week once you factor in workshops, office hours, one-on-ones, homework, and reporting. If you're truly running lean, 4 to 5 hours covers the baseline. The program is designed to be a manageable lift for founders who are already stretched, and it's non-exclusive so you can run it alongside other programs or obligations.

It kicks off in late May with a poster session this year at our annual conference in Berkeley. June is one-on-ones: we figure out what success looks like for you specifically. July and August are workshop-heavy, covering branding, storytelling, PR, sustainability ROI, and California market dynamics. The back half focuses on pilot execution and wraps up at Demo Day in mid-November with your Pilot Flight Manual published and out in the world.

It’s a brochure for the NZA with a focus on the pilot plans of cohort members. Each company has profile that captures what the company does, what a pilot will prove and cost, and why it matters. It's published and distributed to an audience of roughly 80,000 advisors, capital partners, and building industry decision-makers. Think of it as your calling card after the cohort ends: a credibility tool that keeps working for you long after Demo Day.

The program fee is currently (2025) $3,000, heavily subsidized relative to what we actually put in. Beyond that, budget for conference participation, any collateral you develop, and costs tied to your pilot. The honest answer is the real investment is your time. The program delivers in proportion to what you bring to it.