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Project

Innovation Crossroads

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Starting a new advanced manufacturing or energy-related company is a real challenge, and the number of new cleantech startups has declined significantly over the past decade.  Innovation Crossroads, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), embeds innovators at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for two years to develop and de-risk their technologies.  During the two year program participants will get assistance in designing business strategies, engage in market research and customer discovery, discovering commercial partnerships, and guidance to achieve long term startup financing.  Through an annual call, up to seven innovators are selected.  Selected innovators receive: 

 

  • A two-year fellowship – Includes a personal living stipend of up to $90,000/year depending on education and experience, along with health insurance and travel allowance.
  • Lab access and research funding – In addition to unparalleled access to facilities, equipment, and expertise at ORNL, fellows receive $200,000 of R&D funding to support collaboration opportunities with researchers across the lab.
  • Business mentors, entrepreneurial training, and networking – Participants receive access to experienced business mentors, entrepreneurial training programs, and exclusive networking opportunities.  Innovators are also exposed to a wide range of leaders from academia, industry, government, and finance that can serve as advisors or partners.

 

For more information, visit innovationcrossroads.ornl.gov/.