We're thrilled to announce a transformative partnership between LabStart and the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Foundation designed to elevate talented entrepreneurs and bring American climate innovations to market. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to democratize climate innovation and diversify the climate tech ecosystem.

Bridging Gaps in Climate Tech

LabStart’s unique approach brings together three market challenges: (1) 40% of climate solutions needed to meet 2050 goals are yet to be commercialized; (2) academic and innovation silos create barriers to unlocking intellectual property and entrepreneurial talent; (3) there is a significant funding and support gap for deep tech founders, especially at the earliest stages. LabStart’s fellowship program turns these challenges into opportunities for significant climate impact and long-term value. 

Through the HPE Foundation’s support, LabStart's fellowship program provides talented and undercapitalized founders with up to $100,000 in milestone-based funding, access to cutting-edge patents, and a robust, forward-thinking, year-long curriculum designed to navigate the complex journey from lab to market.

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A Vision for Inclusive Climate Innovation

"Climate change demands urgent action by ALL the talented and passionate people who are ready to take on this challenge. To help these founders succeed, we need to create additional paths to market, especially for very early start-ups," said Deepa Lounsbury, CEO of LabStart. "By bridging the innovation gap and building pathways to climate entrepreneurship, we're not just developing new technologies – we are cultivating a new generation of climate leaders who represent the communities most impacted by climate change."

The HPE Foundation's support underscores the critical role of philanthropy in nurturing early-stage climate innovation. This partnership enabled LabStart to launch its first cohort of 10 fellows in March 2024. Based on the success of this initial cohort, LabStart projects its fellows will unlock gigatons of carbon reduction across several major US industries.

"At HPE and the HPE Foundation, we recognize that solving climate change requires both technological breakthroughs and diverse perspectives," said Andrew Wheeler, HPE Fellow, Senior Vice President and Director of Hewlett Packard Labs. "LabStart's model uniquely combines these elements, creating a powerful catalyst for climate action. We're proud to support this initiative that promises to reshape the climate tech landscape."

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Real Impact, Real Solutions

LabStart has also partnered with leading national laboratories, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL)  Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)  tapping into the vast potential of over 25,000 climate-related patents from the Department of Energy labs. These collaborations provide fellows access to cutting-edge research and expertise in renewable energy, energy storage, and advanced materials, accelerating the development and deployment of critical climate solutions.

"LabStart's approach to tech transfer is refreshing. They're not just looking for ideas but cultivating the right people to bring those ideas to life," said Dr. Vanessa Chan, Vice-Dean Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UPenn and former Chief Commercialization Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. 

LabStart's ecosystem extends beyond national labs, with partners and supporters including Skyline Foundation, Deloitte, Salesforce Foundation, Autodesk Foundation, Better Ventures, US Department of Commerce, US Department of Energy, DLA Piper, Northwestern University, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator,  and Activate. These relationships provide fellows with additional resources, mentorship, and downstream pathways to market.

The LabStart program's effectiveness is already evident through the success of fellowship alumni like Adriana Esparza, founder of Hyphae Composites, “The LabStart fellowship gave me the runway, resources, and connections to turn my climate tech idea into a viable business. I'm leaving this program not just with a startup but with a support network that will last a lifetime."  Hyphae Composites is developing advanced recycling solutions for industrial plastics, helping manufacturers turn defective plastic parts back into high-quality materials with on-site systems that work directly with existing factories.

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Join Us in Bridging the Divide

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The climate crisis requires innovative solutions from diverse perspectives. Whether you're a potential fellow, partner, or supporter, there's a role for you in this mission. To learn more about our fellowship program or explore partnership opportunities, visit www.labstart.co/about.