Technology Incubator

The Innovation Incubator (IN²) is a $30 million program that facilitates the commercialization and adoption of clean energy and agriculture technologies. IN² is positioned to help companies think about their end customer, providing funding and technical assistance that leverages the capabilities, facilities, equipment and deep expertise that exists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Danforth Plant Science Center (Danforth Center).

Program Overview

IN² is a unique technology incubator and platform funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation and co-administered by NREL. Invited companies receive non-dilutive grants for, assistance to support technology development, testing and validation, field testing ,and ongoing connections to organizations across value chains, including the investment community. IN² aims to help de-risk technologies and ease the path to market adoption and deployment. Selected early-stage companies are formally invited into the program where they receive up to $250,000 in technical assistance from the laboratory and project related support. Since 2014, four cohorts have been invited to the program, totaling 25 companies. The fourth cohort was selected in September 2018.

IN² began with a focus on supporting commercial buildings-related clean technologies and startups and has expanded its offering to support multiple cohorts a year with innovations in new sectors such as agriculture, food systems, water conservation, transportation and mobility, and residential buildings with a goal of fostering smart and connected communities of the future. The next cohort will join the program in Spring 2019.

Program Structure

The IN² platform seeks to support various stages of emerging clean technologies categorized into three tiers:

• Tier 1 – Bench Scale: TRL 1-5, Conceptual stage with physical proof that the concept may work
• Tier 2 – Prototype: TRL 6-7, Prototype available for testing and validation
• Tier 3 – Commercially Ready: TRL 8-9+, Production models available in limited quantity

No matter what tier companies fit in when joining the program, IN²’s goal is to help them reach critical milestones so they can advance to the next stage—ultimately helping propel companies forward on their quest to commercialization. Over the course of nine to 24 months, participating companies have access to NREL or Danforth Center’s world-class facilities and researchers, who will test, validate and incubate the companies’ technologies to help them meet critical validation milestones on the path to commercialization.

Once a technology is tested and validated through the IN² program, a beta may be pursued on a Wells Fargo facility or with a strategic program partner. This beta test provides a startup with critical understanding of how their technology performs in a real-world environment. Real-world testing helps to inform further technical development and prove out the technology, two crucial elements on their path to market.

For more information, email IN2@nrel.gov