The Energy I-Corps Program continues to equip DOE researchers with the tools to transform lab innovations into real-world impact.
Office of Technology Commercialization
July 23, 2025
minute read time
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) today announced the selection of 21 projects for the fall 2025 round of the Energy I-Corps program. Now in its twenty-first iteration, Energy I-Corps provides commercialization training and funding to DOE National Laboratory, plant, and site researchers working to move promising technologies beyond the lab.
This fall's selections are supported by six DOE program offices representing over $2 million in combined investment.
“DOE’s world-class researchers are tackling some of the most complex challenges in energy and national security,” said DOE Chief Commercialization Office and Director of OTC Anthony Pugliese. “Energy I-Corps gives them the skills and support to understand the markets they’re entering and identify real opportunities to scale their work. The fall 2025 teams and projects reflect the continued momentum and growing entrepreneurial spirit across the nation.”
Energy I-Corps offers three distinct topics, each designed to support different stages of the commercialization journey:
Topic 1: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development
Topic 1 invites DOE National Laboratories, plants, and sites to propose programming that encourages their researchers to participate in future Energy I-Corps Topic 2 training cohorts. The four selected projects will provide entrepreneurial training to more than 40 researchers from six DOE National Laboratories. Programming includes opportunity assessment workshops, mentorship from past Energy I-Corps participants, and targeted outreach to early-stage innovators. Learn more about Topic 1 selections.
Topic 2: Hands-On Commercialization Training
Topic 2 teams engage in a rigorous 10-week program designed to help DOE researchers to define technology value propositions, conduct at least 75 stakeholder discovery interviews, and explore viable market pathways for their technologies. Thirteen teams were selected for Cohort 21 and will begin training this fall. Learn more about Topic 2 teams.
Topic 3: Follow-On Commercialization Support
Topic 3 provides targeted funding to help teams that completed Topic 2 move their technologies one step closer to deployment. Four projects were selected for negotiations toward up to $100,000 in follow-on support. Learn more about the Topic 3 projects.
Since its launch in 2015, Energy I-Corps has trained hundreds of DOE researchers to think like entrepreneurs and align cutting-edge technologies with industry needs. The fall 2025 selections mark another step forward in building a more connected, commercialization-driven DOE research ecosystem.
About the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Commercialization
The Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the largest champions of technology transfer and commercialization in the federal government. Congress established the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) to advance this critical mission. By unlocking the tremendous potential within the Department and its 21 National Labs, plants and sites, and catalyzing private sector investment in novel technologies, OTC is driving innovation - and with it, American energy dominance and national security. Visit us at energy.gov/otc to learn more, and subscribe to receive our latest opportunities and accomplishments via email. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.
Media contact: dominique.barthel@hq.doe.gov