Selection includes $100,000 investment

COLUMBUS, Ohio, September 13, 2017

What:
Nikola Labs, a pioneer in wireless power, has been selected to take part in the Smart City Accelerator sponsored by AEP and Columbus NCT Ventures.

Startups were selected based on their potential impact to Columbus’ Smart City initiative and will receive both in-kind support and a $100,000 investment.

Nikola Labs is commercializing an energy harvesting and wireless power technology, which converts radio frequency energy into usable direct current power. The technology, invented at The Ohio State University’s Electroscience Laboratory has wide applicability, including providing reliable power to Internet of Things (IoT) devices–like security sensors and fitness trackers–so they operate perpetually and completely free of wired connections.

“Nikola Labs is developing game changing wireless power solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), and working to enable IoT to fulfill its potential. The data and intelligence from IoT is an essential ingredient in making cities smarter. To be part of this Smart City Accelerator focused on this core emerging market, based in this city we love ... it’s the trifecta,” said Will Zell, CEO, Nikola Labs. “And moreover, it will position us for business opportunities tied to the Smart City Initiative, plus help us build connections between Columbus and Silicon Valley.”

The Smart City Accelerator is hosted by Singularity University, an innovation consultancy that trains business leaders and runs accelerators in Silicon Valley. This is Singularity’s first accelerator outside of Silicon Valley and is the first accelerator tied to the Smart City Initiative in Columbus.

About Nikola Labs
Founded in October 2014, Nikola Labs is a partnership of The Ohio State University, Ikove Venture Partners, and Ohio State professors. Nikola Labs specializes in wireless power solutions and radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting for mobile devices. The company's energy harvesting system converts ambient RF signals – such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE — into usable DC power suitable for sensors and devices. nikola.tech

Media Contact:
Michelle Moore, media@nikola.tech, +1.614.633.8124