From Ideas to Action: How the July INTENT Summit Sparked a New Wave of Collaboration
On July 8-9, 2025, something powerful happened at the Washington State University (WSU) Spokane campus. One hundred and two people—from utilities, tech companies, research institutions, Tribal communities, local government, and nonprofits—came together for two full days of connection, visioning, and action.
Inland NW Energy Innovation Cluster – Powering the Future
Over the past month, two Spokane-based energy innovation organizations—INTENT(the Inland Northwest Center for Energy and Decarbonization LLC) and the nonprofit Urbanova—have combined efforts under a transitional board to form the Inland Northwest Energy Innovation Cluster. Launched with support from the Washington Department of Commerce’s Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program, the new entity is working to drive […]
INTENT and Urbanova Announce Merger to Advance Energy Innovation
Spokane, WA – June 23, 2025 – INTENT and Urbanova are excited to announce their merger, forming a unified organization dedicated to advancing energy innovation and sustainable solutions in the Inland Northwest region. This strategic merger combines the strengths of both organizations to create a powerful force for clean energy transformation and community engagement. The […]
Innovation Clusters Driving Bioscience and Energy Grid Transformation Awarded $140,000 Each Through Washington’s ICAP Cohort 3
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 […]
ZEV Co-op Brings Community-Powered Electric Vehicle Carshare to Spokane
Community Voice Needed to Set Direction for Carshare Expansion
Partners Collaborate to Bring First Electric Vehicle Car-Sharing Program to Spokane
An innovative partnership of local and state-wide public and private entities is introducing electric vehicle car sharing to Spokane this month. The Zero Emission Vehicle Cooperative (ZEV Co-op), a Seattle-based car sharing firm, partnered with local non-profit Urbanova, Gonzaga University and utility provider Avista, to develop the inaugural program. The project was awarded additional funding […]
Inland Northwest Center for Energy and Decarbonization – INTENT (WA, ID) wins $1 million NSF Engines Development Award
Cross-sector collaboration aims to build upon the accomplished energy sector in the Inland Northwest to accelerate impactful innovation and equitable and sustained economic growth
Urbanova Welcomes Mason Burley as Chief Executive Officer
Urbanova’s second CEO brings diverse talents to scale its place-based, research-informed services Spokane, WA (December 7, 2021) – Urbanova (www.urbanova.org) announced today that Mason Burley has been appointed CEO of the organization. Burley brings vast experience in building community-directed, data-informed solutions with an equity lens. He will succeed current CEO and co-founder Kim Zentz on […]
Energy Equity: In search of a new model for delivering clean energy to everyone, by Gordon Feller
The Fall 2021 issue of Washington Business Magazine highlights Urbanova: Spokane based, Urbanova is busy building a smart and connected utility to ensure the clean-energy future doesn’t leave anyone behind. Read full article
Parting Thoughts
Spokane Journal of Business interviews Kim Zentz as she transitions from her CEO role at Urbanova. Read full article