Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
Stored: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center
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Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) is a division of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory dedicated to bridging the gap between cutting-edge clean energy research and market deployment, supporting startups and entrepreneurs through programs, events, and access to NREL’s world-class facilities. Established to enhance NREL’s mission, the IEC has catalyzed over 100 partnerships since its inception, helping technologies like low-carbon cement and advanced solar scale globally, as highlighted in its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report.
Mission
The IEC’s mission is to foster an ecosystem where clean energy innovations thrive, providing entrepreneurs with resources like the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) and the Shell GameChanger Accelerator to validate and commercialize technologies that reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy resilience. It leverages NREL’s unique position between research and industry to drive economic impact, as detailed in its 2024 State of Innovation report, focusing on scalable solutions for a sustainable energy future.
Parent organization
The IEC operates under the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which hosts its operations and provides technical expertise and infrastructure. The Department of Energy, through its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, serves as the top organization, funding and aligning IEC efforts with national clean energy goals.
Legislation
The IEC was not created by specific legislation but evolved as part of NREL’s broader mission, with formal support from DOE’s EERE programs starting around 2015, tied to initiatives like the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program and innovation funding streams.
Partners
The IEC’s key partners include:
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (host)
- Wells Fargo (IN² program)
- Shell (GameChanger Accelerator)
- Startups and industry leaders (e.g., GCxN participants)
Number of employees
The IEC does not specify a dedicated employee count; it leverages NREL’s 2,900+ staff, with a core team of advisors and program managers likely numbering in the dozens, supporting its entrepreneurial initiatives.
Organization structure
The IEC is structured around key programs:
- Incubation Team manages startup support like IN².
- Networking Team facilitates industry connections.
- Technology Transfer Team bridges lab research to market.
Leader
The IEC is led by a Director, currently Trish Cozart (as of 2024), who oversees its strategic and operational efforts.
Divisions
The efforts include:
- Clean Energy Incubation via IN² and GCxN.
- Industry Collaboration through events and networks.
- Innovation Research supporting NREL tech deployment.
List of programs
Key IEC initiatives include:
- Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²)
- Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL
- State of Innovation Report Series
Last total enacted budget
The IEC’s specific budget is not publicly detailed, but it operates within NREL’s $776 million FY 2024 budget, with programs like IN² and GCxN historically receiving millions annually from DOE and partners, per NREL’s annual disclosures.
Staff
Staffing includes a small core team of program managers and advisors, supported by NREL’s 2,900+ researchers, with dozens directly involved in IEC activities like startup mentoring and event coordination.
Funding
The IEC’s funding is integrated into NREL’s $776M FY 2024 budget, with contributions from DOE’s EERE, private partners like Wells Fargo and Shell, and grants, supporting over $100M in startup investments since 2015, per the FY 2024 IEC Annual Report.
Services provided
The IEC offers startup incubation, industry networking events (e.g., Industry Growth Forum), and technology transfer support, helping innovators validate and scale cleantech solutions, as demonstrated by GCxN companies preparing for public offerings in 2024.
Regulations overseen
The IEC does not oversee regulations but aligns with DOE’s clean energy policies, facilitating compliance for supported technologies.
Headquarters address
15013 Denver W Pkwy, Golden, CO 80401, USA (NREL campus)
History
The IEC emerged around 2015 as NREL expanded its innovation ecosystem, formalized through DOE’s LEEP and EERE initiatives, growing from pilot programs like IN² (launched 2014) to a robust center by 2020. It has since supported over 100 startups, with notable successes like low-carbon cement advancements detailed in its 2024 reports, reinforcing NREL’s role in clean energy commercialization.
External links
- Official Website
- wikipedia:National_Renewable_Energy_Laboratory
- FY 2024 IEC Annual Report
- DOE LEEP Overview