ABOUT IN2
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $55-million energy technology program funded by Wells Fargo & Company and coadministered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Advancing Energy Technologies from Concept to Commercialization
IN2 accelerates the deployment of scalable solutions by bridging the gap between market adopters and cutting-edge startups, ensuring technologies can be implemented at scale to drive widespread impact in the built environment and infrastructure sectors. This networked approach drives the scaling of transformative technologies in the built environment and infrastructure sectors, driving a more resilient, adaptable future.
Emerging Tech Track
IN2 provides early- and mid-stage portfolio companies with the opportunity to work with the best scientists and engineers in the world at NREL. Selected companies receive up to $250,000 in technical assistance using the lab’smulti-million dollar, state-of-the-art facilities.
How to Apply
Companies are referred to the Emerging Tech Track by our network of Channel Partners and go through selection rounds with NREL researchers, the Wells Fargo Advisory Board, and the IN2 External Advisory Boards – our industry experts.
If you are interested in applying to future cohorts, contact us at IN2@nrel.gov and we can introduce you to local Channel Partners or answer your questions.
Scalable Tech Track
IN2 supports adopters, from the private and public sectors, by offering a comprehensive approach that involves identifying technology adoption pain points, providing third-party validation from NREL, fostering collaborative peer working groups, and building clearer pathways for implementation.
How to Apply
If you are an end user partner, investor, or deployment-ready startup interested in learning more about our Scalable Tech Track and how you can be part of an exclusive group of forward-thinking and innovative organizations leading this movement, contact us at IN2@nrel.gov.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
As a national laboratory, NREL is a global leader in advancing the science and engineering of energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and renewable power technologies and provides the knowledge to integrate and optimize energy systems. Our companies not only receive expert guidance from researchers at the lab, but also the benefit of multimillion dollar user facilities.
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
The Danforth Center is the world’s largest independent plant science institute. The nonprofit research institute was founded in 1998 to improve the human condition through plant science.
The Danforth Center has 26 scientific teams; $248 million in competitive research funding from government agencies, industry, and foundations; state of the art labs and equipment; and a greenhouse complex that provide 54,130 square feet of active growing space.
Shared Power, Shared Progress
IN2 drives energy solutions to ensure all communities benefit from a resilient advanced energy future. By combining innovative technologies with community-driven approaches, IN2 integrates resiliency into all programming, addressing energy challenges while building stronger, more adaptable systems through:
- Collaborative Innovation: Partnering with communities to cocreate practical, lasting energy solutions that meet local energy needs and build more scalable and resilient energy systems.
- Energy Empowerment: Supporting sharing of advanced energy benefits and responsibilities, as well as tools, resources, and funding, through stakeholder engagement and strategic planning.
- Real-World Testing: Validating community-prioritized solutions via simulations and regular measurement to assess and report on initiatives’ impact, reliability, and effectiveness.