The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is thrilled to announce the opening of application portals for the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) 2025 Cohort. This two-year funded fellowship is designed to support the next generation of cleantech entrepreneurs in bringing their innovative ideas to life. With a successful track record spanning nearly a decade, LEEP offers participants a unique opportunity to collaborate with national laboratory scientists, receive funding for research and development, access mentorship and entrepreneurship training, and tap into a valuable networking ecosystem that can help overcome the challenges typically faced by early-stage cleantech startups.
Since its inception in 2015, LEEP has supported 203 fellows in partnership with four national labs and their corresponding nodes: Argonne National Laboratory’s Chain Reaction Innovations, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Cyclotron Road, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s West Gate, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Innovation Crossroads. The program has been instrumental in helping alumni commercialize groundbreaking technologies for the clean energy economy, resulting in the creation of 153 new businesses, 2,343 jobs, and securing $2.73 billion in follow-on funding.
For those interested in applying to the LEEP program, each node has its own website where applicants can find more information, details on upcoming webinars, and links to the application portals. Participants are encouraged to apply to more than one LEEP node to increase their chances of being selected for this prestigious fellowship opportunity.
LEEP is managed and funded by DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, with additional support from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, as well as other offices within the DOE. This collaborative effort underscores the DOE’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the cleantech sector.
In conclusion, the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program offers a unique platform for aspiring cleantech entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. By providing access to top-tier research facilities, mentorship, funding, and a supportive network, LEEP empowers participants to drive positive change in the clean energy industry. For more information on the LEEP program and how to apply, visit the DOE’s website and take the first step towards realizing your entrepreneurial dreams.
