The Path to Science Entrepreneurship

For humanity to thrive in the face of climate change and other global challenges, we must reinvent our economy to be sustainable, resilient, and equitable. We’ll need scientists to bring their groundbreaking research to market as new products and services faster and with more impact. We propel scientists forward by empowering them to lead the commercialization of inventions at the earliest stages. Our fellowship delivers new advantages right from the beginning of their entrepreneurial journeys. We offer custom-built support for scientists to advance innovations toward new products and services that will combat climate change and the many other global challenges we face.

Scientists have the breakthroughs and the drive. We show them the way.

Our program

A Two-Year Fellowship

$90K-$110K/year stipend plus travel allowance, health insurance, relocation.

$100K in R&D funds for no equity.

Access to at least $75K in additional flexible capital.

Advisers, Partners, and Champions

Managing Directors and the Activate team.

An unparalleled network of scientists, engineers, investors, corporate partners, and entrepreneurs.

A vibrant fellow and alumni community.

Entrepreneurial Education

Curriculum tailored for the scientist-turned-founder.

Custom-built mentorship to support your individual growth and professional development.

Intensive workshops, virtual classes, and professional development opportunities.

World-Class Research Expertise

Relationships with premier research facilities that protect company IP rights.

Access to experts and equipment for technical development.

Fellows

Since 2015, Activate and our partners have provided 188 fellows with direct fellowship support.

Transformative Startups

Our fellows are advancing game-changing products across industries, including energy, manufacturing, and electronics.

Nearly

Funding Catalyzed

Our fellows have generated nearly $1.9B in additional public and private funding to support their work.

Become a fellow

We know how hard it is to get early support in commercially developing your inventions. We believe in creating a new ecosystem across the U.S. that elevates and educates scientists so they can prosper not just as entrepreneurs but as leaders. Our two-year fellowship is specially designed to give scientists nationwide a solid chance to transform their technology into a valuable product.

Are you the next Activate Fellow? Don’t wait.

What our fellows have to say

Activate sets the gold standard for hard tech entrepreneurial fellowships, and that standard includes access to invaluable, close-knit communities of fellows across the U.S. By sharing experience and expertise, scientists, engineers, and technologists take their journey together, growing as leaders and entrepreneurs.

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