U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Twenty-One Innovators Selected to Build Startups That Will Develop Revolutionary Clean Energy Technologies Through the Department of Energy's Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program

Today (Oct 13), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the latest round of cohorts in its Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP). The 21 selected innovators will now work with an extensive network of mentors and experts at U.S. national laboratories to develop next-generation technologies that will help to advance the nation to achieve a clean energy future that benefits all Americans.

Through LEEP, some of the nation's brightest scientists and engineers are embedded within one of four U.S. national laboratories for a two-year fellowship. Throughout their time as LEEP fellows, these innovators will perform critical research and development with the ultimate goal of advancing their technologies from lab to market. This program also supports fellows as they develop their entrepreneurial acumen, preparing them to launch successful energy and manufacturing businesses.

"We have an unwavering resolve to combat the climate crisis and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To meet this challenge, the United States must commercialize clean energy innovations at an unprecedented rate," said Dr. Christopher Saldaña, Director of DOE's Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). "LEEP equips the nation's brightest energy entrepreneurs with the training, technical resources, and support needed to deploy their solutions at scale and launch successful energy and manufacturing enterprises."

This year's selectees will participate in a two-year fellowship in the following DOE programs:

• Cyclotron Road at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California: The Cyclotron Road program's new cohort includes ten scientists and engineers representing nine start-ups working on technologies in rare earth element separation, lab-grown cultivated meats, wearable neurotechnology, and more.
  Meet the newest cohort joining the Cyclotron Road program.
  The application window for Cyclotron Road's 2024 cohort is now open and closes on Tuesday October 17, 2023.
  Learn more about the application process and submit your application here.

• Chain Reaction Innovations at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois: The Chain Reaction Innovations program's latest cohort includes four new innovators whose clean energy startups that will reduce our carbon footprint and strengthen emerging U.S. energy technologies through projects including energy recovery through waste streams and bioengineered replacements for petroleum-derived textiles. 
  Meet the seventh group to join Chain Reaction Innovations.
  The application window for the 2024 cohort opens on October 15, 2023.
  Learn more and pre-apply for the 2024 cohort here.

• Innovation Crossroads at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee: The Innovation Crossroads program's cohort includes seven science and technology innovators who are developing technologies to decarbonize the buildings, manufacturing, and energy storage sectors.
  Meet the seventh Innovation Crossroads cohort.
  The application window for Innovation Crossroads opens on October 16, 2023.
  Learn more about applying for the 2024 cohort here.

• West Gate at National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado: The three newest fellows chosen to join the West Gate program will focus on developing low-carbon alternatives to cement, developing renewable and biodegradable plastics, and methods to capture brine to ensure clean water security. 
  Meet the West Gate program's second cohort.
  The application window for West Gate opens on November 1, 2023.
  Learn more about applying for the 2024 cohort here.

Since the program's inception in 2015, 154 LEEP startups have attracted $1.7 billion in follow-on funding and created over 2,200 jobs. Past LEEP innovators have developed breakthrough technologies spanning American industries and have launched successful U.S. manufacturing companies that will help accelerate the nation's clean energy future. 

LEEP is primarily funded by AMMTO within DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The program is also funded by EERE's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office, Building Technologies Office, Solar Energy Technologies Office, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, along with DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Office of Electricity, and Office of Science.

Learn more about the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program.