Activate Updates: December 2024

Activate Updates

Dec 19

From groundbreaking collaborations to national recognition of our fellows’ impact, it’s clear that Activate Fellows are not just shaping the future of science entrepreneurship—they’re leading it.

We just announced a strategic alliance with The Engine, doubling down on our shared mission to equip deep-tech entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks they need to thrive. This partnership is already making waves, with TechCrunch shining a spotlight on this new collaboration.

It’s been a busy time for our CEO, Cyrus Wadia, who continues to advocate for science-driven solutions. New America recently published an article by Cyrus that outlines how deep tech support will drive growth, create jobs, and unlock the very inventions that could move society forward in sustainability.

Additionally, his on-stage conversation at HackSummit with Etosha Cave (Twelve, Cohort 2015) underscored the importance of translating innovation into real-world impact. Cyrus also spoke with climate tech reporter Katie Fehrenbacher at the C2M Climate Tech Summit at UC Berkeley, and highlights of their conversation were featured in the Axios Pro: Climate Deals newsletter earlier this week.

We’re also thrilled to share that seven Activate Fellows made the Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Manufacturing & Industry and Energy & Greentech categories. We love seeing Activate scientists being recognized for their leadership in solving critical global challenges.

Here’s a deeper dive into all of this month’s news.

Activate and the Engine Announce a Strategic Alliance

Activate and The Engine, Built by MIT, recently announced a strategic alliance that ensures more hard tech breakthroughs achieve commercialization. Now, Activate and The Engine will offer more programming and support along the entire pathway for early technical founders–from ideation and lab R&D to customer pilots and commercialization. Deep tech entrepreneurs will be able to tap into more joint curriculum, training, and expert support for every stage of the founder's journey. TechCrunch covered the news.

Read On

A Call for Support and Investment in Deep Tech

New America recently published an article by Cyrus that makes a compelling case for why investment in science entrepreneurs is critical to unlocking America’s deep-tech potential. Read more about how championing policies that support early-stage innovators means we can supercharge innovation that tackles pressing challenges.

Read On

Highlights from the C2M Climate Tech Summit

Cyrus spoke with climate tech reporter Katie Fehrenbacher at the C2M Climate Tech Summit at UC Berkeley, and highlights of their discussion were recently featured at the top of Axios Pro: Climate Deals newsletter. Their on-stage conversation addressed a series of topics including funding gaps, the role of corporates in supporting climate tech, entrepreneurial lessons, and even AI.

Activate Fellows Shine in Forbes 30 Under 30

Seven Activate Fellows were named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Manufacturing & Industry and Energy & Greentech categories for how their innovative research is shaping a better world. Congrats to these fellows for being recognized as leaders in science and entrepreneurship!

HackSummit Fireside Chat

Cyrus joined Etosha Cave (Twelve, Cohort 2015) at HackSummit for a fireside chat about what it takes to turn scientific research into real-world impact. They talked about the founder journey, the role of science entrepreneurs in addressing climate change, and how to form collaborations that drive impact. Cody Finke (Brimstone, Cohort 2019) was also a featured speaker at the event, discussing how to create a greener future with decarbonized cement.

In Our Ecosystem

Upcoming events, relevant opportunities, and what we're reading.

Upcoming Opportunities

Battery innovators and startups are invited to apply for Cohort 2 of the six-month NENY ChargeUp accelerator program, which includes a $25K stipend, investor connections, and opportunities for follow-on investment, including up to $100K for technical development. Apply by January 15, 2025.
Applications are open for the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers program, which is for CEOs of early-stage start-ups worldwide who are developing and deploying new technologies and innovations. Apply by January 31, 2025.
It’s time to submit applications for the Temasek Foundation's eighth annual Livability Challenge, which awards innovators with deep-tech decarbonization solutions. As Asia’s biggest sustainability innovation challenge, it offers $2M in funding, with two grand winners receiving a $1M grant each. Submit a proposal by February 9, 2025.

Fellows in the News

Tim Latimer (Fervo Energy, Cohort 2018) was featured on Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast. He shared his insights live onstage at the Department of Energy's Deploy24 conference in Washington, D.C. During the discussion, he highlighted how geothermal works, what’s being built, and the financial structures that are needed for it to scale up.
Still Bright (Jon Vardner, Cohort 2022) was spotlighted in Grist for their groundbreaking technology, which refines copper without the pollution of traditional smelting. Still Bright’s chief of staff, Carter Schmitt, told Grist, “We’re facing unprecedented demand for copper, and that’s really tied to the electrification of everything.”
This week, Calectra (Pauliina Meskanen and Nate Weger, Cohort 2024) announced their win of a $200K CalSEED Concept Award. Funded by the California Energy Commission, the award supports startups tackling California’s energy challenges, including industrial process electrification—Calectra’s focus area.
Electrified Thermal Solutions (Joey Kabel and Dan Stack, Cohort 2021) recently secured $19M in venture financing. The company was featured in a TechCrunch article about their plans to develop bricks that are "electrical conductors that can carry a current and transform it into searing heat simply by stacking them atop each other.”