What I Learned at NRECA TechAdvantage — and Why Co-ops Inspire Us
HomeBoost took 1st place at the NRECA TechAdvantage startup pitch competition. Here's what stayed with our CEO from a week with the co-op community.
Everyone who knows me knows I love stats: 1 in 8 Americans gets their electricity from an electric cooperative. Co-ops serve 56% of the U.S. landmass, powering many of the rural and smaller communities that keep our country running.
I learned that this week at the NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) TechAdvantage conference in Nashville.
A proud moment for the HomeBoost team
First, something we're celebrating: HomeBoost took 1st place in the startup pitch competition. Huge thanks to NRECA for the opportunity and the thoughtful questions from the judges.
What stayed with me most: the people
Because co-ops are member-owned, their mission is simple — make sure their members have reliable power at a reasonable price. That mission came through in every conversation.
I didn't hear any fear of AI. Instead, co-op leaders were deeply curious about how AI and new technologies could help them:
- Better understand what's happening inside homes
- Improve grid planning and reliability
- Expand energy efficiency programs
- Serve their members more effectively
A real sense of community
I was also struck by the sense of community. People brought their spouses and kids to learn about new technologies and share ideas about how to improve the grid and the homes it powers. It felt less like a trade show and more like a gathering of people committed to building a better energy future.
Grateful for the conversations, the curiosity, and the passion of the co-op community. Excited about what we can build together to make our homes smarter, our grid stronger, and energy more accessible for everyone.
How HomeBoost works with co-ops
If you're with a co-op exploring how to expand energy efficiency programs for your members, we'd love to talk. Our programs for co-ops help member-owned utilities deliver DIY home energy assessments, library lending programs, and pro-grade audits — all built around your members' needs.
P.S. One co-op director came over to our booth and shared a joke: "Where does a cat go when their tail gets cut off? The retail store." Still chuckling.