INNOVATION
– PARTNERSHIPS:
STARTUP COLLABORATIONS
INNOVATION
/ PARTNERSHIPS
IPO SUPPORTS BERKELEY LAB RESEARCHERS
SEEKING TO MOVE TECHNOLOGIES FROM LAB TO MARKET
T
he Berkeley Lab Innovation Corps (BLIC) was launched in FY16
to provide entrepreneurial resources and technology commercialization training for all Lab staff. BLIC
hosts expert speakers on topics such
as legal issues for startups and early stage funding opportunities.
Intensive customer discovery programs such as DOE’s Energy I-Corps (formerly Lab-Corps) and the
National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ teach researchers how to transition their discoveries into technologies
that benefit society. IPO supported 16 researchers participating in these programs in FY16 to advance inventions
from biotech screening tools to a better stove burner to subsurface modeling software.
IPO technology commercialization associates worked with researchers in Berkeley Lab’s Energy Technologies
Area and Material Sciences Division to secure Technology Commercialization Funds from DOE’s Office of
Technology Transitions.
“Customer discovery principles are influencing all aspects
of my research at Berkeley Lab. I’m using them on a daily basis now,
and they will influence the rest of my career.”
Peter Therkelsen, staff scientist, on DOE Lab-Corps training
Two startups based on Berkeley Lab technology were founded in
WHISKERLABS
FY16. Berkeley Lab researchers spun out Whisker Labs, formerly
Wattstick, which licensed an energy monitoring device that will be
adapted for home use. Lexington Biosciences licensed a cuff-like
device, developed at Berkeley Lab, that assesses plaque buildup for
more advanced testing and monitoring of cardiovascular health.
Lexington Biosciences is refining the Heart Sentry’s design and
will initiate the Food and Drug Administration approval process.
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