Activate Communities

Activate Anywhere

Flexibility Without Relocation

Fellows can build their companies from anywhere in the U.S., making this community ideal for those outside traditional innovation hubs.
Quarterly in-person trips to Activate locations (New York, Boston, Berkeley, and Houston) provide opportunities to connect with local fellows, tour labs, and engage in peer learning.

National Community and Support

Fellows gain access to a diverse network of founders, mentors, and advisors across the country, fostering collaboration and shared learning.
The program emphasizes peer-to-peer advice, shared contacts, and a collaborative spirit, creating a strong sense of community even in a virtual-first model.

Empowering Underserved Regions

Designed to support talent and innovation from areas without strong entrepreneurial ecosystems, Activate Anywhere helps bridge the gap for scientists and engineers in less-resourced regions.

Kevin See

Managing Director, Anywhere

Sahar Shamsi

Fellowship Manager, Anywhere

Monica Cecero

Fellowship Associate, Anywhere

Activate Berkeley

In partnership with LEEP's Cyclotron Road program

Access to Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

With a shared application process, fellows apply to both Activate and the Cyclotron Road program, leveraging the scientific expertise and resources of one of the world’s leading research institutions.
Cyclotron Road program participants benefit from access to Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and its cutting-edge facilities, including the Molecular Foundry, Flex Lab, and Advanced Bioprocessing and Development Unit (ABPDU).

Proximity to World-Class Research

Strong connections to UC Berkeley provide opportunities for talent recruitment, advisory board building, and safe lab setup.
Fellows can tap into the university’s extensive network of researchers, students, and industry partners.

Bay Area Innovation Hub

Located in a region with a dense cluster of industry leaders, startups, and investors, Berkeley offers unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and growth.
As Activate’s oldest community, Berkeley Fellows are able to tap into a robust alumni network at varying stages of company development.
Historically rooted in energy and microelectronics, the community supports a broad range of high-impact tech.

Jill Fuss

Managing Director, Berkeley

Abbey Thompson

Fellowship Manager, Berkeley

Kai Akiko Moser

Fellowship Associate, Berkeley

Activate Boston

Location and Ecosystem

The Boston Fellowship is located in Kendall Square, Cambridge, a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Fellows benefit from proximity to world-class universities like MIT and Harvard, as well as a dense network of startups, incubators, and research institutions.
Boston offers a close-knit community feel despite being a major city, with easy access to outdoor spaces, the ocean, and cultural activities.

Partnerships and Resources

Formal partnerships with organizations like The Engine and Greentown Labs provide fellows with memberships, event access, and additional resources.
Fellows also receive memberships to CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), a coworking space that fosters collaboration and innovation.

Diverse Technology Focus

While Boston was initially founded as a microelectronics hub in partnership with DARPA, it now supports a wide range of technologies, including bio, climate, agriculture, and microelectronics.
The fellowship is open to high-impact technologies across various fields, reflecting the diversity of Boston's innovation ecosystem.

Josh Martin

Managing Director, Boston

Emily Wilson

Fellowship Manager, Boston

Lauren Morimoto

Fellowship Associate, Boston

Activate Houston

Energy and Industry Hub

Houston is home to many Fortune 100 and 500 companies, making it a prime location for solving large-scale industrial challenges.
The city boasts the largest concentration of engineers in the U.S., providing a rich talent pool for hard tech innovation.

Access to Greentown Labs

Fellows benefit from office and lab space at Greentown Labs, a leading incubator for climate and energy startups.
The Houston community is deeply connected to the city’s burgeoning hard tech ecosystem, with strong support from local industry leaders.

Broad Technology Scope

Houston’s community supports a wide range of technologies, including chemicals, materials, and energy, without technical limitations.
As the newest Activate community, Houston offers fellows the unique opportunity to shape and grow the city’s hard tech space.

Jeremy Pitts

Managing Director, Houston

Nernwon Kargou

Fellowship Manager, Houston

Rosemary Hernandez

Fellowship Associate, Houston

Activate New York

Greater NY Ecosystem

Located in the heart of New York City, fellows have access to a vibrant startup scene, local investors, and industry leaders.
The community is well-connected to key players in the city’s innovation ecosystem, providing unique opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Dedicated Workspaces

Fellows have access to office space in Manhattan, complete with meeting rooms and phone booths, available seven days a week.
Two free years of basic membership at Newlab in Brooklyn.

Key Partnerships

Collaborations with organizations like NENY, NYSERDA, CUNY, NYU, Newlab, NYEDC provide additional resources and support for fellows.

Cristina Escoda

Managing Director, New York

Natasha Feshbach

Fellowship Manager, New York

Hailey Faust

Fellowship Associate, New York

Fellowship Communities at Activate

A closer look at how each community powers hard tech for good.

Our Communities

What all our Communities offer

Financial Support for Personal & Business Expenses

Focus on Community and Collaboration

Unparalleled Support for Fellows

Discover What Makes Each Community Unique