As part of its efforts to bring innovative technologies to the world, the Lab offers significant resources for entrepreneurs that Lab researchers can access:
- Innovation Corps (I-Corps) and I-Corps Lite – The Department of Energy offers a two-month “customer discovery” training program to help researchers define technology value propositions, conduct stakeholder discovery interviews, and develop viable market pathways for their technologies. The Lab’s Intellectual Property Office offers a shorter version of this program called I-Corps Lite; the next session will be offered in spring 2023. For more information, contact Jeremy Greeter, jgreeter@lbl.gov.
- Cradle to Commerce program – funded by the DOE’s Technology Commercialization Fund, this new program is launching this fall. It will provide entrepreneurship support to selected scientists at Berkeley Lab (as well as at partner national labs) who have patented or patent-pending technologies in each of the program’s domain areas: smart grid, buildings, renewable energy and storage, and nuclear energy. The program offers coaching, mentorship, and seed funding for hard technology development in conjunction with external partners, as well as matching with external entrepreneurs and partners. Staff who are interested in entrepreneurship but do not have patented or patent-pending technologies can also join other teams.
- IMPEL is a startup incubation program funded by the DOE’s Building Technologies Office. IMPEL supports national lab researchers as well as entrepreneurs, business professionals, academics, looking to bring to the marketplace innovations related to the design, construction, or management of built environment and infrastructure. Participants engage in a series of pitch coaching workshops, business seminars, mentoring connections with industry leaders, and real-world pitching opportunities. For more information and to apply for IMPEL’s 2023 cohort visit impel.lbl.gov/apply.
In addition, scientists who are looking to learn more about entrepreneurship can engage with Cyclotron Road cohorts as mentors, science collaborators, or reviewers for Cyclotron Road applications. Cyclotron Road, the first of the DOE’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program sites, offers a fellowship that supports entrepreneurial scientists and engineers in the community as they develop globally impactful and commercially viable technology products. The program provides access to the Lab’s significant scientific talent, facilities, and equipment, as well as entrepreneurship training provided by Cyclotron Road’s nonprofit partner, Activate. Contact: Melanie Sonsteng at msonsteng@lbl.gov.
