The i-GATE NEST program is all about building new technology companies.
Business incubators provide support services and resources to young companies with the goal of developing them into financially viable businesses equipped with the tools for long-term survival and growth. The foundation of services provided by an incubator are management guidance and mentoring related to business strategy, operations, marketing, legal and financial services, and the facilitation of connections to capital, business networks, and technical assistance. Many incubators also provide facility-based services, with lab and office space provided to new businesses that can reduce costs through shared equipment purchases and infrastructure, networking, and the use of common conference rooms. When similar technology companies are grouped together in an incubator, they can draw more attention from potential investors or other knowledgeable resources looking for opportunities.
An unusual element of the NEST incubator is that it is closely linked to a variety of research and development programs and state-of-the art facilities at the two DOE national laboratories in Livermore. Some of the research facilities at these labs, such as the Combustion Research Facility and the National Ignition Facility, are far beyond what universities can offer to researchers. These national user facilities are unique and can provide major advantages to companies wishing to avail themselves of cutting-edge research results and ready access to the skills of the researchers who use those facilities. i-GATE and the NEST incubator also leverage intellectual property from the two national labs, increasing the flow of new technologies to the marketplace and increasing the speed of technology transfer through consultation with the staffs of the national laboratories.
Qualifying Companies
A startup company ready to apply for full admission to the NEST incubator program would typically meet these requirements:
- Has at least a brief business plan
- Technology company with intellectual property related to transportation
and/or clean-energy technologies
- Willing to share non-proprietary information or collaborate with
other companies in the incubator
- Willing to participate in evaluations of the incubator program/services/experience
- Strategic fit within the i-GATE program and possible competition
with an existing incubator client company (in which case the existing
company is consulted prior to the new company's admission)
Incubator Tenant Selection
The i-GATE CEO and President are the initial filters for potential companies
applying for access to the NEST incubator. Their suggestions are passed
on to the Industry and Science Advisory Analysis Committee (ISAAC) for
further vetting of technology ideas and company viability. ISAAC, which
is co-chaired by senior research program managers from Sandia and LLNL,
advises i-GATE management and provides technical guidance for the NEST
incubator program. Members of ISAAC advise on the technical elements
of technologies submitted as part of company applications to the incubator
program.
ISAAC members also provide an advisory resource to incubator companies
seeking specialized technical consulting or industry input related to
the technologies being developed in the incubator. Industry participants
also provide domain expertise and serve as networking resources for
incubator tenants.
Potential startup company clients from partner universities or the national
laboratories are also screened for possible pre-incubation services
to prepare them prior to admission to the incubator program.
The selection committee applies various metrics for admission to the
incubator, including thematic relevance to transportation and clean-energy
programs, but it also evaluates incubator applications with an emphasis
on innovation, client willingness to exchange non-proprietary information
with others in the incubator, client participation on a Startup Committee
to identify and present options for improving the incubator experience,
strategic fit within the overall program, technology potential for market
impact, competition, and so on. In the event that a technology licensed
from an i-GATE partner (national labs or universities) has the potential
for "disruptive" or transformational positive change of national importance
(in line with the mission of the national labs), a potential incubator
tenant developing that technology for the marketplace will be given
a higher priority for admission to the incubator.
The National Laboratories
The U.S. Department of Energy operates two national laboratories in
Livermore, California – Sandia
National Laboratories (California) and Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory – both of which are i-GATE
partners. Sandia is the lead institution for the i-GATE partnership,
providing operational support as well as access to researchers and unique
facilities such as the Combustion Research Facility, which has been
a research and development partner with the automotive industry for
over 30 years. Livermore Laboratory offers its prowess in high-performance
computing as well as expertise in programs related to clean energy technologies.
Small businesses that are part of the i-GATE program or are housed in
the NEST Incubator can receive assistance in contacting appropriate
technical personnel, programs, and facilities at the national laboratories.
We can also connect these businesses with technology transfer programs
and business development staff at the laboratories.
