Innovation Incubator (IN2)

The Innovation Incubator (IN2 ) programme is a partnership between NREL, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. NREL’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center has operated it since 2014 to boost the commercialisation of clean energy innovations by harnessing the capabilities of the national energy laboratories alongside NREL’s network of researchers, innovators, investors and industry partners.  Between 2014 and 2020, Wells Fargo Foundation provided a total of USD 50 million to the programme. IN2 identifies companies with support from a network of 60 “channel partners”, including incubators, accelerators and university programmes that refer start-ups to NREL. After a review of identified companies by technical, philanthropic and industry boards, IN2 selects each cohort of around five start-ups based on their potential to contribute to tackling problems in a specific area. These areas are mostly related to agriculture and buildings technologies, the latter supported by NREL technical facilities. IN2 welcomes two cohorts each year. N2 recipient start-ups receive continuous expert guidance and technical assistance from NREL researchers. 

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more