Programs

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center develops technology incubation programs and customized solutions for public and private partners to bolster innovation, solve complex challenges, and de-risk solutions.

Our proven, flexible model adapts to specific partner needs and objectives while leveraging the world-class facilities and expertise of NREL and our partners.

Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator

Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) accelerates real-world implementation and scaling of transformative technologies in the built environment and infrastructure sectors by supporting startups to validate, refine, and advance their solutions at NREL while helping corporations and municipalities adopt impactful technologies.

Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL

Shell Gamechanger Accelerator^TM Powered by NREL (GCxN) provides startups with access to NREL's research and facilities, along with the incubation expertise of the Shell GameChanger program.

Chevron Studio

Chevron Studio links entrepreneurs with national laboratories and universities to scale up and commercialize innovative, early-stage technologies that have the potential to enable a lower-carbon future.

Energy I-Corps

Energy I-Corps is an entrepreneurial business training program for research teams from the national laboratories with technologies that may be ready for commercialization. This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Technology Commercialization.

West Gate

West Gate supports promising innovators as they transform technology concepts into startups that are primed for growth. Selected innovators are equipped with funding, entrepreneurial training, and technical assistance to speed their commercialization efforts.

Canadian Technology Assistance Program

Canadian startups present their technologies to NREL researchers and receive feedback and support.

NREL Technical Assistance Program

The Technical Assistance Program connects startups with NREL's scientists, engineers, and facilities to answer specific technology questions.

American-Made Challenges

In addition to the partnership programs above, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center assists with the American-Made Challenges competition, which accelerates manufacturing for the U.S. energy industry. This competition offers awards for numerous energy innovation technologies that feature domestic manufacturing.