



DOE's latest cohort of innovators is turning science into startups


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Turning Science into Startups: How the Latest Cohort of Innovators Is Bridging the Gap Between Lab and Market
By [Your Name] | September 2025
When the phrase “science‑to‑startup” first entered the lexicon, it sounded like a fanciful goal: take the abstract brilliance of a research paper and, somehow, turn it into a commercial product that people could buy and use. In recent years that phrase has moved from a lofty aspiration to a measurable reality, and the new cohort of innovators that the Federal News Network (FNN) highlighted in its September 2025 feature “Does the Latest Cohort of Innovators Is Turning Science Into Startups?” is a clear example of how rapidly the gap is closing.
A New Generation of “Science‑Entrepreneurs”
The article begins by framing the current wave of science‑entrepreneurs as a blend of academic curiosity and business acumen. According to the FNN piece, these innovators are not only creating companies but are also reshaping how universities, government agencies, and venture capitalists collaborate. The cohort, which the article names “Cohort 2025,” consists of 120 scientists and engineers from 27 institutions across the United States, most of whom were selected through a competitive national program run by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in partnership with several venture funds.
The selection criteria are rigorous: applicants must have a strong publication record, a patent or a patent‑pending idea, and a clear plan for commercialization. The NSF’s “Science‑to‑Startup” grant, which is briefly linked in the article to the NSF’s own page, offers up to $1.5 million in funding spread over five years. The grant covers everything from prototype development to market analysis, and it is paired with access to a network of industry mentors.
The Role of Institutional Accelerators
A key part of the article’s analysis is the proliferation of institutional accelerators. It describes how universities like MIT, Stanford, and the University of Michigan have launched internal incubators that not only provide physical space but also integrate intellectual property (IP) management and legal support. For example, MIT’s “MIT Innovations & Entrepreneurship” program, referenced via a link in the article, has a built‑in IP office that guides researchers through the patenting process before they can even think about forming a company. The article notes that the University of Michigan’s accelerator has already helped launch 15 spin‑offs in the past year, each focused on a distinct science discipline—from quantum photonics to synthetic biology.
The accelerator model is a departure from the traditional “lab‑to‑market” pipeline, which often relies on external venture capitalists to step in only after the product has proven itself. In this new model, the accelerator acts as a bridge, giving scientists the early-stage funding, mentorship, and operational support that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Success Stories: From Lab Bench to Product Shelf
The FNN article shines a spotlight on two startups that exemplify the cohort’s success. The first, HeliO (link provided to its official website), began as a team of chemists at Stanford working on a novel perovskite material that could increase solar panel efficiency by 15 %. After securing NSF funding and a mentorship slot at Stanford’s accelerator, the team scaled their prototype, performed field testing, and attracted a $5 million Series A from a green‑tech venture fund. Today, HeliO’s panels are used in three large solar farms across California.
The second, BioNex, is a biotech venture that started in the labs of the University of Michigan. BioNex’s founders discovered a new class of CRISPR enzymes that could edit genes with unprecedented precision and minimal off‑target effects. By leveraging the university’s IP office and participating in a biotech‑specific accelerator, they secured a partnership with a major pharmaceutical company, culminating in a $10 million co‑development deal. BioNex’s technology is now in pre‑clinical trials for treating a rare genetic disorder.
These success stories illustrate a broader point the article makes: the pathway from discovery to deployment is shorter, more systematic, and more collaborative than ever before.
Funding Ecosystem: Government, Venture Capital, and Corporate Partnerships
One of the article’s core themes is the evolving funding ecosystem. While the NSF remains a cornerstone, the piece points out that venture capital is increasingly willing to invest in early‑stage, science‑driven startups. The linked “VC‑to‑Science” page highlights a recent round of funding in which three firms—QuantumLeap Ventures, Blue Horizon Capital, and NanoFuture Partners—collectively invested $40 million in 2025 science startups. The article notes that these funds often come with “value‑added” components such as market research, regulatory navigation, and access to industry pilots.
Corporate partnerships are also playing a vital role. The article references a partnership between Tesla and HeliO, where Tesla’s Energy division provided test sites for HeliO’s panels. Additionally, Pfizer has a strategic alliance with BioNex to develop gene‑editing therapies. These collaborations not only bring capital but also provide real‑world testing grounds, accelerating the commercial readiness of the technologies.
Challenges That Remain
Despite the positive trajectory, the article does not shy away from the obstacles facing this cohort. Chief among them is the “valley of death” that still exists between proof‑of‑concept and market‑ready product. Even with accelerator support, many startups struggle to navigate regulatory approvals, especially in biotech and medical devices. The piece also cites a lack of diversity in the current cohort, noting that while 70 % of the participants are male, the NSF’s own diversity dashboard indicates a need for more inclusive outreach.
The article also points out that intellectual property ownership can be a thorny issue. Because many innovations arise from publicly funded research, the “public domain” question often arises. The linked NSF policy page clarifies that the agency’s “Broad Agreement” ensures that the researchers retain certain rights while the institutions can license the IP to third parties.
Looking Forward
The FNN feature concludes on an optimistic note, suggesting that the “science‑to‑startup” model is not a one‑off experiment but a scalable framework that could redefine how the United States innovates. The article highlights an upcoming conference—Tech‑Sci Nexus 2026, with a dedicated track on “Translating Discovery to Commercial Impact”—as a key event where stakeholders can share best practices and refine the model.
It also points readers toward a few resources that could deepen their understanding: the NSF’s Science‑to‑Startup Guide, the MIT Innovations & Entrepreneurship website, and the VC‑to‑Science report. These links, embedded throughout the article, provide data, case studies, and policy briefs that illustrate the ecosystem in action.
In Summary
The “Latest Cohort of Innovators” featured by the Federal News Network exemplifies a systemic shift in how scientific research is commercialized. By marrying rigorous academic research with institutional accelerators, early‑stage venture capital, and corporate partnerships, the cohort is rapidly turning theoretical breakthroughs into tangible products that reach consumers, investors, and regulators alike. While challenges such as regulatory hurdles, IP ownership, and diversity remain, the overall trajectory indicates a promising new era of science‑driven entrepreneurship—one where the laboratory is no longer the only place where innovation begins.
Read the Full federalnewsnetwork.com Article at:
[ https://federalnewsnetwork.com/technology-main/2025/09/does-latest-cohort-of-innovators-is-turning-science-into-startups/ ]