Renewables named finalist in FEMA startup pitch competition

Santa Rosa-based Renewables, Inc. will pitch its e2T electric two-wheel tractor at the 2026 FEMA Annual Convention in New Orleans on Oct. 28. The finalist spot gives the company a chance to compete for a $10,000 grand prize and broader exposure for farm equipment built for small farms.

Why it matters: - Renewables, Inc. is bringing a compact electric tractor to a farm equipment audience that often focuses on larger-scale machinery. - The pitch competition could help validate equipment designed for farms under 100 acres and connect the product with dealers, manufacturers, and growers. - Finalists are competing for a $10,000 grand prize and a $1,000 People's Choice Award.

What happened: - Renewables, Inc. was selected as one of five finalists in the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association Startup Pitch Competition. - Founder and CEO Steve Heckeroth will present the e2T on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the 2026 FEMA Annual Convention at the New Orleans Marriott. - The FEMA Annual Convention runs Oct. 27 to 29 in New Orleans.

The details: - Each finalist gets five minutes to pitch to a judging panel from across the farm equipment industry. - Judges will follow each pitch with questions. - Convention attendees will decide the People's Choice Award after the finalist presentations. - The e2T is a compact electric two-wheel tractor designed for farms under 100 acres. - The tractor works with standard walk-behind implements, including tillers, mowers and cultivation tools. - The e2T is remote-controlled, quiet in operation and compatible with solar charging. - Pricing starts at $7,900. - A refundable $100 reservation secures a place in the production queue. - Renewables says the design reflects more than a year of testing on working California farms. - Production units begin shipping in November. - Heckeroth will attend the convention and is available for interviews.

Between the lines: - The finalist spot gives Renewables a stage in front of a niche but influential audience of farm equipment decision-makers. - The product pitch centers on a gap in the market for smaller farms that need specialized equipment without the size, noise or fuel profile of conventional tractors. - Heckeroth framed the tractor as farmer-driven development, saying the e2T came out of a year of working alongside farmers who said exactly what they needed.

What's next: - Heckeroth will pitch the e2T on Oct. 28. - Convention attendees will cast votes for the People's Choice Award after the presentations. - Renewables plans to begin shipping production units in November. - More information is available at Renewables' website.

The bottom line: - Renewables gets a high-profile chance to prove that small-farm electric equipment can compete for attention in a traditional farm machinery market.