Activate’s CEO Appears on Invested in Climate Podcast
Established in 2015 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Activate has carved a unique niche in the ecosystem of climate change innovation. By offering a fellowship program that nurtures nearly 200 science fellows, the organization has facilitated the birth of companies that are pivotal in the decarbonization efforts. These companies, born from groundbreaking scientific research, have cumulatively raised about $1.5B in funding, creating approximately 2,000 jobs in the process. This success underscores Activate's role in converting scientific potential into tangible, market-driven solutions.
Activate’s CEO, Cyrus Wadia, discussed how Activate focuses on empowering scientists with the resources, mentorship, and community needed to navigate the challenging journey from the lab to the marketplace in a recent Invested in Climate podcast episode.
The core of Activate's fellowship program lies in its dual focus: nurturing groundbreaking technologies and cultivating leadership qualities among scientists. This approach is grounded in the belief that entrepreneurship and leadership are skills that can be developed with proper guidance and support. By equipping scientists to lead successful ventures, Activate is facilitating the commercialization of innovations and shaping a new breed of leaders poised to tackle the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
Wadia's vision for Activate extends beyond the immediate commercial success of its fellows' ventures. He sees the organization as a catalyst for a broader societal impact, where scientific innovations lead the charge in creating a sustainable and decarbonized global economy. This vision resonates with the growing recognition of technology and innovation's critical role in addressing climate change and other issues.
“We need to be in the business of atoms more than bits if we’re going to solve problems such as climate change.”
The narrative of Activate and its fellows serves as a compelling testament to the power of combining scientific excellence with entrepreneurial leadership. The organization's success stories highlight the potential for scientific innovations to make significant contributions to climate change mitigation, from renewable energy technologies to efficient carbon capture solutions. These stories also illustrate the transformative impact that skilled, visionary leaders can have in turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable, sustainable solutions.
Activate's model represents a pioneering approach to fostering the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the fight against climate change. By supporting scientists to become leaders who can effectively navigate the complexities of bringing science-based innovations to market, Activate is not just contributing to the global economy's decarbonization. It is also laying the groundwork for a future where scientific innovators are at the forefront of societal transformation. Through its comprehensive support system, Activate is proving that with the right mix of knowledge, skills, and vision, scientists can create a more sustainable and prosperous world for future generations.
