Catalyzing America's Technology Leadership Through Strategic Philanthropy
LabStart transforms philanthropic giving into breakthrough companies. We're a pioneering nonprofit focused on commercializing climate technologies from America's national laboratories—turning federal research investments into market-ready solutions.
The Opportunity
30,000+ Climate Technologies Waiting for Market
Over 30,000 climate-related patents sit in U.S. national labs and universities—breakthrough technologies that could transform entire industries but lack the entrepreneurial bridge to market reality. LabStart is that bridge.
The Challenge
While billions flow into federal research annually, 40% of climate solutions needed to meet 2050 goals remain trapped in laboratories.
Our Solution
LabStart bridges this gap—matching frontier climate technologies with passionate entrepreneurs and providing the funding, mentorship, and strategic support to build successful companies.
What Makes LabStart Different
Direct Laboratory Partnerships
Formal agreements with DOE national laboratories (NREL, Sandia, Oak Ridge, PNNL) provide your investment with unprecedented access to breakthrough technologies and ongoing technical validation.
Systematic Risk Management
Unlike traditional accelerators, we focus exclusively on federally validated technologies with systematic oversight, milestone-based funding, and quarterly reporting to ensure your philanthropic investment drives measurable results.
Two-Phase Fellowship Structure
Discovery Phase (4 months): $6K + training to validate technology-market fit
Launch Phase (12 months): $100K + intensive support to build viable companies
Milestone-based approach ensures accountability at every stage
Entrepreneur-First Approach
We recruit passionate founders first, then match them with breakthrough technologies. Focus on first-time and nontraditional founders often overlooked by traditional funding.
Proven Impact
Why Partner with LabStart
01
Diversified approach supporting multiple technologies and sectors
02
Companies graduate to top-tier accelerators and investors
03
Majority of fellows secure equity or VC funding, and commercial customers
Recent Success Stories
See how philanthropic capital transforms into climate companies.
AI-powered critical infrastructure protection for clean energy systems
$100K
LabStart Investment
Stanford technology licensing partnership
$1.5M
Pre-seed round
Converting waste methane into carbon-negative clean fuel
$100K
LabStart Investment
$850K
Pre-seed round
Why Climate Funders Choose LabStart Now
The window for climate action is closing rapidly. Your philanthropic investment addresses both urgency and opportunity:
Immediate Impact
Economic mobility through climate tech entrepreneurship
Peer Validation
Join leading foundations like HPE, Salesforce, and Autodesk
Risk-Smart Giving
Federal R&D validation reduces technology risk
Transparent Results
Quarterly reports and direct fellow connections
“The LabStart fellowship gave me the runway, resources, and connections to turn my climate tech idea into a viable business.”
Adriana Esparza
Founder, Hyphae Composites
“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.”
Andrew Wheeler
HPE Fellow, Senior Vice President and Director of Hewlett Packard Labs
“By connecting non-traditional entrepreneurs to groundbreaking research, LabStart is strengthening the ecosystem of innovative and pivotal climate solutions.”
Emma Frawley
Associate Director of Program and Operations at the Woka Foundation
“Supporting LabStart aligns with our commitment to driving innovation that benefits both people and the planet, and by providing organizations and their founders with access to AI solutions, LabStart is accelerating innovations that can address our most pressing environmental challenges.”
Naomi Morenzoni
SVP of Climate and Innovation Philanthropy at Salesforce
