Partnership brings together AI expertise and breakthrough technology innovations to advance sustainability goals

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OAKLAND, CA, June 4, 2025 – LabStart, a pioneering non-profit organization bridging the gap between laboratory research and market-ready technology, is advancing the commercialization of AI-driven deep technologies for sustainable solutions. With support from Salesforce,  LabStart's fellowship program helps founders develop and commercialize new technologies from U.S. national laboratories and university intellectual property.

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LabStart's unique approach addresses three market challenges: 40% of solutions needed to meet 2050 environmental goals are yet to be commercialized; academic and innovation silos create barriers to unlocking intellectual property; and the significant funding and support gap for deep tech founders at the earliest stages. Salesforce’s support has transformed these challenges into opportunities for significant positive environmental impact, harnessing the power of AI.

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“Supporting LabStart aligns with our commitment to driving innovation that benefits both people and the planet," said Naomi Morenzoni, SVP of Climate and Innovation Philanthropy at Salesforce. "By providing organizations and their founders with access to AI solutions, LabStart is accelerating innovations that can address our most pressing environmental challenges.”

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Through this partnership, LabStart enabled entrepreneurs to develop AI-integrated solutions that enhance sustainability innovation and can help address the net-zero technology gap. The integration of advanced AI capabilities has been transformative in helping LabStart’s innovators analyze complex data, optimize solutions, and accelerate their path to market.

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"Salesforce's commitment has been instrumental in the success of our first cohort of fellows," said Deepa Lounsbury, CEO of LabStart. "Their support enabled us to empower entrepreneurs developing breakthrough technologies. With Salesforce's expertise in AI and their commitment to sustainability, we're continuing to accelerate the path from lab innovation to real-world impact."

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The success of LabStart's initial cohort demonstrated the potential for significant environmental impact. LabStart fellows are developing solutions ranging from optimizing renewable energy deployment to designing more energy-efficient systems to monitoring environmental changes, touching six major areas for sustainable solutions: economic empowerment, circular economy, carbon removal, industrial decarbonization, agriculture, and built environment. Salesforce's support of LabStart exemplifies how AI can be leveraged responsibly to benefit nature and create a more sustainable future.

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Applications are now open for the 2025 LabStart Fellowship through July 7, 2025. Entrepreneurs interested in commercializing breakthrough technologies are encouraged to apply at www.labstart.co/apply.

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

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About Salesforce

Salesforce helps organizations of any size reimagine their business with AI. Agentforce — the digital labor solution for enterprises — seamlessly integrates with Customer 360 applications, Data Cloud, and Einstein AI to create a limitless workforce, bringing humans and agents together to deliver customer success on a single, trusted platform. Visit https://www.salesforce.com/in/ for more information.

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About LabStart

LabStart is a non-profit organization that accelerates breakthrough solutions by bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and market-ready innovations. Its 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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