The Avangrid Foundation sparks creativity and empowers the next generation of innovators
ORANGE, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, sponsored The Henry Ford’s nationally recognized 2026 Invention Convention U.S. Nationals with a $50,000 grant. The 2026 Invention Convention U.S. Nationals took place June 3–5 at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, bringing together top student inventors from across the country to showcase solutions addressing issues such as sustainability, energy efficiency, public health, and accessibility.
“Avangrid is proud to invest in the next generation of innovators who are already reimagining solutions to some of today’s most pressing challenges,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. “Programs like the Invention Convention foster creativity, problem-solving, and a passion for sustainability, skills that are essential to shaping the nation’s energy future.”
“It was truly inspiring to see the level of creativity, passion, and ingenuity students brought to the Invention Convention,” said Pablo Colón, Director of Corporate Citizenship and Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation. “We’re especially proud to recognize this year’s Environmental and Sustainability Award winners, whose ‘Fog Tiles’ invention is a powerful example of how innovative thinking can drive transformative solutions.”
The Avangrid Foundation presented the Environmental and Sustainability Award to Texas 10th grade inventors Kathleen K. and Colin R. for their invention “Fog Tiles”-an affordable system inspired by the Namib Desert beetle that captures moisture from fog using a combination of water attracting and water repelling materials. The collected moisture is converted into clean, sustainable drinking water, providing an innovative solution for arid environments.
The Henry Ford’s Invention Convention program reaches more than 305,000 K–12 students and 18,000 educators annually across 33 states and territories. Through a free, project-based curriculum aligned with the seven steps of the invention process, students identify problems in their communities and develop original solutions, building critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills along the way.
“We are grateful to the Avangrid Foundation for its generous support of Invention Convention and its commitment to inspiring the next generation of innovators,” said Carolyn Ward, Senior Director, Invention Convention Worldwide at The Henry Ford. “Because of partners like Avangrid Foundation, students from across the country have the opportunity to bring their ideas forward, build confidence in their creativity and problem-solving skills, and see themselves as inventors capable of shaping a better future.”
About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $45 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.avangrid.com/avangrid-foundation.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States working to meet the growing demand for energy for homes and businesses across the nation through service, innovation, and continued investments by expanding grid infrastructure and energy generation projects. Avangrid has offices in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, including operations in 25 states with approximately $50 billion in assets. Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. It also owns and operates nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States producing more than 11 GW of power for over 3 million customers. Avangrid employs approximately 8,500 people and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit http://www.avangrid.com.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Florencia Feleder
florencia.feleder@avangrid.com
838-292-6869
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