Safari

Safari connects experienced entrepreneurs to innovative technologies developed by the world-leading experts at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

Safari is as an addition to the Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions Practices to Accelerate the Commercialization of Technologies (PACT) program. PACT promotes the transition of research developed at DOE national laboratories toward the marketplace to promote US competitiveness and national security.

Find the right opportunity

Safari provides a curated portfolio of opportunities tailored to the interests of an entrepreneur.

Develop a commercialization plan

With the assistance of ORNL commercialization experts and a start-up team, an entrepreneur will identify and evaluate a selected business opportunity and develop a commercialization plan that considers product, market, financing, and team structure.

License intellectual property

With a commercialization plan in hand, an entrepreneur can seek a license for the intellectual property.

Safari benefits entrepreneurs by:

• Enabling collaboration with world-leading scientists and technology experts to expediently identify profitable opportunities.
• Building familiarity with ORNL’s capabilities, valuable Department of Energy and small business programs, and a supportive regional innovation ecosystem.
• Making connections with a broad network of technical and commercial subject matter experts within the regional innovation ecosystem.

ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security and provide economic benefit to the nation. ORNL addresses national needs through impactful research and world-leading research centers. A wide range of partnerships with other US Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories and programs, universities, and industry pairs ORNL’s strengths with others for outstanding contributions to science.

For more information about the program and to apply, contact Susan Ochs, ORNL engagements program manager, at ochssm@ornl.gov.