Accelerating breakthrough climate technology commercialization through diverse founders‍

OAKLAND, CA, June 18, 2025—LabStart, a pioneering non-profit organization bridging the gap between laboratory research and market-ready technology, today announced a one-year partnership with the Woka Foundation to expand support for non-traditional entrepreneurs and accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough climate technologies. This collaboration will enhance LabStart's capacity to connect driven founders with cutting-edge innovations from U.S. national laboratories and research institutions. The one-year partnership will help LabStart expand the 2025 fellowship cohort. 

The Woka Foundation's support comes at a critical time when 40% of the solutions needed to meet 2050 environmental goals remain uncommercialized, despite billions of dollars invested in research. LabStart addresses this challenge by matching individuals with varied experiences to untapped technology, developing more innovative approaches to complex environmental problems.

"The Woka Foundation recognizes that the most robust climate solutions emerge when we bring together individuals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, skills, and ways of thinking," said Deepa Lounsbury, CEO of LabStart. "This partnership enables us to invite more potential founders to join our program, leading to more comprehensive solutions. When entrepreneurs bring their unique insights to breakthrough technologies, we collectively unlock new possibilities for environmental impact."

Supported in part by the Woka Foundation, LabStart's fellowship program provides entrepreneurs with up to $100,000 of milestone-based funding along with access to over 25,000 climate-related patents from national laboratories and universities. The program has already launched 12 startups across five critical impact areas—circular economy, carbon removal, industrial decarbonization, agriculture, and built environment—with half earning equity or venture capital investments.‍

"When tackling complex climate challenges, integrating a wide spectrum of ideas and approaches leads to better decision-making," said Emma Frawley, Associate Director of Program and Operations at the Woka Foundation. "By  connecting non-traditional entrepreneurs to groundbreaking research, LabStart is strengthening the ecosystem of innovative and pivotal climate solutions.”‍

LabStart's ecosystem features partnerships with leading national laboratories such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Additional partners include Salesforce Foundation, HPE Foundation, Autodesk Foundation, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Energy, and Northwestern University.‍

Applications for LabStart's 2025-26 fellowship cohort are currently open through July 7, 2025. Entrepreneurs—including first-time founders—interested in commercializing breakthrough technologies are encouraged to apply at www.labstart.co/apply.‍

For more information about LabStart, its fellowship program, or partnership opportunities, visit www.labstart.co.‍

About the Woka Foundation

Woka Foundation’s mission is to help create a just world that values environmental vitality and recognizes the dignity of all peoples. Their funding focuses on reversing climate change and building a durable biosphere through innovation, regenerative practices, gender equity, education, and keeping fossil fuels in the ground.‍

About LabStart

LabStart is a non-profit organization that accelerates breakthrough solutions by bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and market-ready innovations. Our mission is to launch startups by pairing untapped innovations from U.S. national laboratories and research institutions with talented entrepreneurs. For more information, visit www.labstart.co.‍

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