BERKELEY, Calif., June 7, 2021 — Activate Global Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market, is proud to introduce the 2021 cohort of Activate Fellows. These 24 scientists are launching what promise to be hugely consequential businesses across key industries that could speed society’s response to climate change and other urgent societal needs.

“The number of world-class scientists vying for these limited fellowship slots grows every year,” says Activate CEO Ilan Gur. “That we attracted this level of talent during a year of such uncertainty speaks both to these fellows’ drive for impact and the critical need for organizations like Activate that empower scientists to turn their research into new products and businesses that will improve our world.”

The 24 fellows, selected from a pipeline that included nearly 400 applicants from 30 countries and 32 U.S. states, bring a wealth of scientific talent and ambition. While many are joining directly from academia, others have years of industry experience. All are driven to turn their innovations—in everything from quantum computing and robotics to bio-based materials, ag-tech, and carbon-free energy systems—into much-needed products and services, with speed and at scale.

Activate’s 2021 Fellows and their startups:

 

Founded in 2015, the two-year Activate Fellowship is a proven path for science entrepreneurs to move their breakthrough research into the market. It provides fellows the time, resources, and guidance to develop as leaders and mature their ideas as they start their entrepreneurial journeys. Unlike startup accelerators, the Activate Fellowship takes no equity stake in fellows’ companies.

More than 80 percent of Activate Fellows graduate with at least 12 months of financial runway to build their businesses. Current and alumni fellows have leveraged $26 million in fellowship support to raise nearly $330 million in additional research funding and initial private investments—dollar-for-dollar leverage of more than 12x.

Cohort 2021 brings the total community of fellows supported since 2015 to 104. These leaders have created more than 300 jobs and are currently hiring for more than 80 positions across 72 active, mission-driven companies. These firms are introducing products focused on decarbonizing heavy industry, building circular value chains through innovative materials (including truly compostable plastics and infinitely recyclable polymers), creating renewable, resilient energy and food infrastructures, and opening new frontiers in sensors, computing, and autonomous networks.

Activate Fellows work across eight industries: Agriculture, buildings, chemical, computing, defense, electricity, manufacturing, and transportation.

In just the last few months, two alumni-led startups reached major milestones: lithium-metal battery leader Cuberg (Richard Wang, Cohort 2017) became part of emerging European battery giant Northvolt, and advanced geothermal energy developer Fervo Energy (Tim Latimer and Jack Norbeck, Cohort 2018) raised $28M Series B financing and partnered with Google to supply Google’s Nevada data centers with 24/7 clean energy.

Activate’s sponsors and partners make the fellowship possible through direct funding, donations of time, money, equipment, or services. Without this dedicated and forward-thinking network, Activate could not provide fellows such comprehensive financial, community, technical, and career support.

Each fellowship is offered in partnership with a world-class host laboratory and supported by dedicated local teams in Berkeley, CA, and Boston, MA. By 2025, Activate plans to have eight U.S. locations, welcoming 100 new fellows each year.

At Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Cyclotron Road Division, Activate’s founding partner, has hosted and provided vital laboratory access to 76 fellows and connected them with more than 70 Berkeley Lab collaborators.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory, anchor partner for Activate Boston, has been an important resource to 2020 fellows developing advanced computing products and will continue that key role for four 2021 fellows.

The US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office has been a steadfast partner since the fellowship’s inception. DARPA is also a major partner, having funded fellowships since 2018. This year Activate is happy to welcome the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office as a new government funding partner.

Since 2016, the California Energy Commission has provided fellows with vital support—through fellowship funding as well as direct investments—while also supporting Activate’s operations. Likewise, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is a long-time supporter and one of Activate’s many philanthropic sponsors that provide crucial fellowship funding.

About Activate

Founded in 2015, Activate Global Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market to address climate change and other global challenges. Activate works between government and the private sector, transforming scientists into high-impact entrepreneurs through a fellowship that guides them along every step of the journey. Partnering with leading U.S.-based institutions, Activate provides two years of funding and connects fellows with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. The fellowship does not take equity in fellows’ startups. A training ground for future science, technology, and business leaders, Activate promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion across its business, including its operations, fellowship, partnerships, and brand. Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and founding Activate partner. Today, Activate supports 20-30 new Activate Fellows each year in Berkeley and Boston, with plans to expand to 100 new fellows each year at eight locations across the U.S.

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Source: Activate