Louisiana’s energy future starts here
Activate has partnered with FUEL Louisiana to launch the Louisiana Science Innovator BRIDGE—connecting the state's deep research talent to the entrepreneurial infrastructure they need to lead the carbontech economy.
In partnership with: FUEL Louisiana, National Science Foundation
What is the Activate BRIDGE Louisiana Program?
Louisiana sits at an inflection point. The state has deep roots in energy and manufacturing, a growing concentration of research talent, and real potential to build a world-class hard-tech ecosystem anchored in the carbontech economy. What it needs is the connective tissue.
That connective tissue just got stronger. FUEL Louisiana has already disbursed over $8.5 million to transformative initiatives, established 26 industry-academic-workforce partnerships, and supported nearly 30 Louisiana-based energy startups and research projects. Activate's BRIDGE program enters at exactly this inflection point—providing the entrepreneurial infrastructure to turn Louisiana's research talent into a pipeline of founders and ventures.
The Louisiana Science Innovator BRIDGE is built on a simple premise: the scientists, engineers, and technical workers already in Louisiana have what it takes to build the next generation of energy companies. FUEL's NSF-backed ecosystem provides the foundation. Activate's BRIDGE program provides the pathway.
$ Milllion
NSF commitment renewed in March 2026 over three years
$ Million +
Disbursed to transformative Louisiana energy initiatives
Industry-academic-workforce development partnerships
~
Louisiana-based energy startups and research projects supported
A scalable learning experience helping scientists across Louisiana explore entrepreneurship and commercialization—expanding the pool of science entrepreneurs connected to local and national opportunities.
Built on Activate's proven curriculum, the program covers entrepreneurial mindsets, technoeconomic framing, fundraising readiness, and strategic relationships—equipping researchers with what they need to pursue or confidently evaluate commercialization.
The Program
A scalable learning experience helping scientists across Louisiana explore entrepreneurship and commercialization—expanding the pool of science entrepreneurs connected to local and national opportunities.
Built on Activate's proven curriculum, the program covers entrepreneurial mindsets, technoeconomic framing, fundraising readiness, and strategic relationships—equipping researchers with what they need to pursue or confidently evaluate commercialization.
For Innovators
→ More scientists pursuing carbontech entrepreneurship across Louisiana
→ Increased flow of IP-enabled ventures into Louisiana's ecosystem
→ Stronger peer and mentor networks across institutions
→ Early-stage founders connected to national opportunities and capital
For the Workforce
→ Broader awareness of carbontech career paths among emerging talent
→ A stronger talent pipeline for Louisiana-based startups
→ Increased participation from underrepresented populations
→ A mission-aligned workforce ready to power Louisiana's energy economy
Bring BRIDGE to Your Region
Taylor Smith
Senior Program Manager - Asia
Taylor Smith leads the Activate BRIDGE Japan Program alongside the Activate Global Singapore Fellowship—expanding Activate's capacity to support science founders across Asia.
Before joining Activate, Smith served as Associate Director of the Atlantic Council's Millennium Leadership Program and Operations Manager for Meridian's International Visitor Leadership Program. She holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from American University and completed a post-graduate fellowship in Germany focused on cross-cultural exchange.
"This is a crucial time in the science and tech sector to think about how we are working laterally abroad. There's so much opportunity to be unlocked."
Want to learn more about BRIDGE Japan? If you're a researcher or engineer in Japan curious about what commercialization could look like for your work, sign up to receive program updates, application information, and insights.
