Have you ever wondered where the real magic happens in the world of renewable energy? It’s not always in the sleek, coastal startups that dominate the headlines. Nope, the true eureka moments often occur in the most unexpected places – a kitchen, a car ride, or even a classroom. And you know what? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is on a mission to find these hidden gems and turn them into game-changing solutions.
Through the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP), the DOE is empowering a new generation of cleantech problem-solvers to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face. From emissions and single-use plastics to agricultural and industrial waste, these innovative minds are not just tinkering with existing practices – they’re proposing entirely new methods to replace the status quo.
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the LEEP Demo Day in Denver, Colorado, where I got a front-row seat to witness these renewable energy pioneers in action. Let me tell you, it was like watching a real-life version of “Shark Tank,” but with an even bigger mission: to accelerate the clean energy transition and create a more sustainable future for all.
Unleashing the Power of Local Innovators
As I took my seat in the audience, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. These weren’t your typical tech gurus – they were everyday people with brilliant ideas, and they were about to take the stage to showcase their market-ready solutions.
One of the innovators I was particularly intrigued by was Mikhail Konev, who is working on enabling textile circularity by using oxygen to break down plastics into their basic components. Imagine the impact that could have on our overflowing landfills! And then there’s Stefan Streckfus, who’s converting inactive oil and gas wells into gravity energy storage systems – talk about thinking outside the box.
But the real magic happens when you combine these innovative minds with the resources and expertise of the national labs. As Paul Syers, the DOE’s program manager for LEEP, put it, “We take the best ideas from the whole country and we connect them to our national laboratories.” It’s a match made in heaven, if you ask me.
Shelly Curtiss, the West Gate program director at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), explained how they ensure the LEEP participants get the perfect balance of science and business development. “We use our local resources as much as possible,” she said. “NREL has a robust Investor Advisory Board that West Gate is leaning on for advice about finding and raising capital. And of course, our fantastic lab researchers provide the kind of technical expertise these innovators never would have gotten elsewhere.”
Accelerating Progress, One Eureka Moment at a Time
What really struck me about the LEEP program is how it’s able to take these brilliant ideas and turn them into tangible, market-ready products in a fraction of the time it would normally take. We’re talking about a two-year journey from concept to commercialization, and the results are nothing short of impressive.
Justin Whiteley, a LEEP program alumnus and the keynote speaker at the event, knows firsthand the value of this type of support. His plant-based Meati products are now found nationwide, and he’s more than happy to give back to the program that helped set him up for success.
“I love helping people figure out, ‘How will this idea scale?'” Whiteley shared. “Because we want to have a real impact and do something that’s good for society, for the planet. And the only way to do that is through large scale. And so the question is, ‘How do you get from here to there?’ Because sometimes, it’s daunting to figure out.”
And the impact of these cleantech startups goes beyond just creating innovative solutions. According to the DOE, the LEEP innovators have collectively secured more than $2.6 billion in follow-on funds, with a significant majority (more than 50%) coming from the private sector. Not to mention, they’ve created over 2,300 jobs and started 155 new businesses – all while maintaining an impressive 97% startup success rate.
Empowering the Next Generation of Renewable Energy Champions
As I left the LEEP Demo Day event, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by the passion and determination of these local innovators. They’re not just tinkering with ideas – they’re revolutionizing the way we think about renewable energy and sustainability.
And you know what’s even more exciting? The DOE is just getting started. As Jeff Marootian, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, put it, “We are proud to support the national labs and the entrepreneurs who are leading this effort, and it is critically important that we work together to scale these technologies, commercialize them, and get them out there to make that difference.”
So, if you’re looking for the next big thing in renewable energy, don’t just keep your eyes glued to the coasts. Head to your local kitchen, your neighborhood classroom, or even your own car ride, because that’s where the real magic is happening. And who knows, maybe one day, Firewinder will be spotlighting the next generation of renewable energy pioneers.