Hard Tech For Good
Bridging the gap between breakthrough research and real-world impact
Hard Tech for Good
At Activate, we believe that groundbreaking science has the power to change the world—but only if it reaches the people and places that need it most. That’s why we’re creating a new model for innovation: one that empowers scientists and engineers to lead, connects them with the resources to succeed, and transforms bold ideas into real-world solutions.
By fostering collaboration and reshaping systems, we’re ensuring that the technologies of tomorrow address the challenges of today.
The community that we are building are people united around the belief of hard tech for good and committed to act together
Our Mission
We're building the community that drives science into impact by:
- Growing the next generation of hard tech leaders.
- Creating demand for leaders who bridge science and business.
- Advocating for viable private investment and partnership models.
- Promoting consistent, impact-driven public sector support.
- Strengthening academic cultures that prioritize value-driven innovation.
Our Values
Our core values are the foundation of our culture and drive every aspect of our work:
- We Put People First: We prioritize well-being, inclusivity, and authentic collaboration.
- We Live in Trust: We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
- We Create Value Through Connection: We believe in the power of community, partnership, and meaningful relationships.
- We Appreciate Experimentation: We embrace curiosity, adaptability, and learning from both successes and failures.
- We Are Guided by Intention: We remain purpose-driven, focusing on actions that create meaningful impact for society and the planet.
Our Theory of Change
At Activate, our Theory of Change is the foundation of everything we do. It defines how we support scientists and engineers in transforming groundbreaking research into real-world solutions.
By fostering leadership, driving innovation, and building like-minded communities, we are expanding our impact to ensure hard tech innovations reach their full potential and create meaningful change with six distinct outcomes:
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Science entrepreneurs traverse complex industry and business landscapes and build diverse teams to successfully commercialize their impactful hard tech innovation
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Science entrepreneurs pursue influential career pathways within hard tech for good, where they can make the case for new technologies and create conditions for others to succeed.
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A community of diverse science entrepreneurs benefit from enduring and supportive relationships that strengthen their expertise and resilience through the founder journey and beyond
- Corporations and investors engage in right-size startup partnerships with more hospitable models for risk sharing, IP, and budgeting cycles
- Academic institutions have founder-friendly tech transfer IP licensing practices that support science entrepreneurs to commercialize their innovation
- Government maintains investments in strategic hard tech areas, creating more funding flows and certainty for startups while channeling more funding to translational vs fundamental research, including commercially-oriented academic research fellowships
Our Pathways Towards Impact
Our work is guided by two key pathways that drive these outcomes: supporting science entrepreneurial leaders and influencing hard tech stakeholders. These pathways ensure that the right people, partnerships, and systems are in place to transform groundbreaking ideas into real-world impact. Together, they create a ripple effect that strengthens the hard tech ecosystem and accelerates innovation.
Flagship Fellowship Program
A two-year program that equips science entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and a thriving network to navigate the path from lab to market.
Innovation Labs
Beyond the fellowship, we offer initiatives that strengthen the hard tech ecosystem and empower leaders throughout their journey.
A Proven Track Record
Activate Fellows have raised over $4 billion in follow-on funding, creating new industries and addressing global challenges.
Our History
Activate began in 2015 with a bold vision: helping scientists turn groundbreaking research into real-world impact. Founded alongside Cyclotron Road, a U.S. Department of Energy’s Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) at Berkeley Lab, Activate has grown beyond the fellowship to become a national hub for science entrepreneurship—while Cyclotron Road remains a close partner of the Berkeley fellowship community.
Today, we support five fellowship communities—Berkeley, New York, Boston, Houston, and Anywhere, a remote-centric program that connects top scientists from across the country.
Over the years, Activate has expanded its scope through partnerships with federal and state programs, including the National Science Foundation, DARPA, the NIST CHIPS Research and Development Office, NYSERDA, California Energy Commission, and MassCEC. This growth has been fueled by the generous support of philanthropic leaders such as the Winkel Family Charitable Trust, Woka Foundation, Schmidt Futures, Three Cairns, Bernard & Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, Grantham Foundation, and many others.
Under the leadership of our new CEO and an experienced team of innovators, Activate continues to evolve, building a thriving community that bridges science, entrepreneurship, and impact. Together, we’re shaping the future by empowering the next generation of hard tech leaders.
Our Partners Make Impact Possible
Activate’s work is powered by the generosity and vision of our partners. Together, we’re advancing science entrepreneurship, fostering social impact, and creating pathways for value-driven innovation.
294
Fellows supported
$4B+
follow-on funding raised by fellows
~3,000
jobs created
