UD startup W7Energy wins a $50,000 FastPass Award

The University of Delaware and Delaware Innovation Space developed the FastPass Award to help jump-start UD-affiliated startups and small companies with a $50,000 equity-free startup package, served alongside operational and financial support.

The highly competitive science entrepreneur face-off was judged by members of the university and local business community, and the first winner is: Clean vehicle startup W7Energy, founded by UD professor Yushan Yan.

According to an announcement released by the Delaware Innovation Space, W7Energy “focuses on the development of next-generation hydroxide exchange membranes and polymeric materials that enable zero-emission fuel cell powered vehicles at significantly lower total cost.”

Yan is on a bit of a roll: earlier this month, the scholar was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). W7Energy’ seven-person team plans to begin operations at the Delaware Innovation Space on January 1, 2019.

Next year’s FastPass competition is scheduled to launch in mid-2019. Keep an eye on UDaily for updates.