SPOKANE, WA — June 6, 2025
Two of the Inland Northwest’s leading innovation clusters—the Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster and the Inland Northwest Energy Innovation Cluster—have each been awarded $140,000 through the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP) Cohort 3.
Funded by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), this investment supports forward-thinking projects that will advance clean technology, regional economic development, and public health across Eastern Washington and beyond.
The Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster, fiscally sponsored by Greater Spokane Inc., will use the ICAP Cohort 3 award to launch a bioscience incubator focused on climate-smart lab operations. The initiative includes a two-year lease for 3,400 sq. ft. of combined lab and office space for startups tackling pressing public health challenges, with an emphasis on sustainable lab design, waste reduction, and cleantech practices.
In collaboration with My Green Labs, WSU, and local bioscience firms, Evergreen Bio will provide green lab training and certification while continuing its role as a regional leader in supply chain coordination, industry engagement, and equitable workforce development.
“Our goal is to reduce the environmental footprint of the life science industry while accelerating the development of medical innovations,” said Michaele Armstrong, Executive Director of Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster. “This award helps us activate underutilized space and drive inclusive economic development in a critical growth sector.”
The Inland Northwest Energy Innovation Cluster, a collaboration between Urbanova and the Inland Northwest Center for Energy and Decarbonization (INTENT), is preparing to carry forward its work from the two-year National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine Development award, which concluded April 2025. With ICAP support, the cluster will advance regional grid modernization, energy resilience, and clean energy solutions. 2
Participating partners include Avista, Washington State University, Edo Energy, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Open Energy Solutions, Power Engineers, Launchpad NW, Spokane Workforce Council and others.
“The INW Energy Innovation Cluster will expand regional energy partnerships and elevate important energy innovation that accelerates grid modernization technologies,” said Mason Burley, CEO of Urbanova.
Both clusters exemplify how innovative ecosystems can drive regional climate solutions, job creation, and inclusive growth. The ICAP program is part of Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen industry-led clusters that can transform legacy sectors and build globally competitive industries. These investments align with the Climate Commitment Act’s goal to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing economic resilience across communities statewide.
For more information on Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster or the Inland Northwest Energy Innovation Cluster, visit https://evergreenbioinnovation.com/ and https://intent.urbanova.org/.
About Greater Spokane Inc.
Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) is the Spokane region’s business development organization, focused on leading transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy. GSI is a nonprofit organization that serves as the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Organization that supports the success of businesses of all sizes across the Inland Northwest. GSI is dedicated to creating a vibrant Spokane region by advocating at the local, state, and federal levels, driving strategic economic growth, and championing a talented workforce. Learn more at GreaterSpokane.org.
CONTACT
Lisa Poplawski Lewis
Executive VP
Development and Strategic Communications
(509) 321-3619
lplewis@greaterspokane.org
