Catalyzing America's Technology Leadership Through Strategic Philanthropy
LabStart transforms philanthropic giving into breakthrough companies. We're a pioneering nonprofit focused on commercializing climate technologies from America's national laboratories—turning federal research investments into market-ready solutions.
The Opportunity
30K+ Climate Technologies Waiting for Market
The Challenge
While billions flow into federal research annually, 40% of climate solutions needed to meet 2050 goals remain trapped in laboratories.
Our Solution
LabStart bridges this gap, matching frontier climate technologies with passionate entrepreneurs and providing the funding, mentorship, and strategic support to build successful companies.
What Makes LabStart Different
Direct Laboratory Partnerships
Formal agreements with DOE national laboratories (NREL, Sandia, Oak Ridge, PNNL) provide your investment with unprecedented access to breakthrough technologies and ongoing technical validation.
Systematic Risk Management
Unlike traditional accelerators, we focus exclusively on federally validated technologies with systematic oversight, milestone-based funding, and quarterly reporting to ensure your philanthropic investment drives measurable results.
Two-Phase Fellowship Structure
Discovery Phase (4 months): $6K + training to validate technology-market fit
Launch Phase (12 months): $100K + intensive support to build viable companies
Milestone-based approach ensures accountability at every stage
Entrepreneur-First Approach
We recruit passionate founders first, then match them with breakthrough technologies. Focus on first-time and nontraditional founders often overlooked by traditional funding.
Proven Impact
Why Partner with LabStart
01
Diversified approach supporting multiple technologies and sectors
02
Companies graduate to top-tier accelerators and investors
03
Majority of fellows secure equity or VC funding and commercial customers
Recent Success Stories
See how philanthropic capital transforms into climate companies.
AI-powered critical infrastructure protection for clean energy systems
$100K
LabStart Investment
Stanford technology licensing partnership
$1.5M
Pre-seed round
Converting waste methane into carbon-negative clean fuel
$100K
LabStart Investment
$850K
Pre-seed round
Why Climate Funders Choose LabStart Now
The window for climate action is closing rapidly. Your philanthropic investment addresses both urgency and opportunity:
Immediate Impact
Economic mobility through climate tech entrepreneurship
Peer Validation
Join leading foundations like HPE, Salesforce, and Autodesk
Risk-Smart Giving
Federal R&D validation reduces technology risk
Transparent Results
Quarterly reports and direct fellow connections
“LabStart’s model sparks climate action; we’re proud to back this game-changing force reshaping climate tech.”
Andrew Wheeler
HPE Fellow, Senior Vice President and Director of Hewlett Packard Labs
“LabStart plugs us into cutting-edge science, turning fresh founders into climate heroes we’re proud to champion.”
Emma Frawley
Associate Director of Program and Operations at the Woka Foundation
“Partnering with LabStart gives us AI tools that turn our environmental ideas into real, fast impact for the planet.”
Naomi Morenzoni
SVP of Climate and Innovation Philanthropy at Salesforce
