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Cradle to Commerce is now accepting Innovator applications!
Applications open now through November 15, 2026.
Cradle to Commerce is now accepting Innovator applications!
Cradle to Commerce (C2C) unites inventors and entrepreneurs to scale secure, affordable, and reliable energy solutions by:
- Curating breakthrough deep tech and AI from the National Lab system
- Connecting founders to IP, elite scientific assets and technical validation
- Equipping entrepreneurs and technologists with the co-founders and skills to find product-market fit
- Developing partnerships with a formidable network of investors and mentors
- Catalyzing energy breakthroughs toward commercialization
Technology Domains
- Nuclear Energy
- Energy Generation & Fuels
- Grid, Storage, and Data Centers
- Critical Minerals & Materials, and Advanced Manufacturing
- AI, Quantum Computing & Energy Security
Who Should Apply?
You can be a small business, startup, professional, post-doc, entrepreneur, or a solo founder looking for a co-founder.
We consider matchmaking with Lab IP, testbeds and scientist-in-residence:
- project/technology feasibility
- team experience and track record
- scalability, market, and impact potential
What You’ll Gain
You can gain access to, across 10 national labs and 10 private partners:
- National lab deeptech IP
- Testbeds and fabrication labs to validate your technologies
- Brilliant scientists-in-residence
- Seed funding
- A Commercialization Alliance of our partners across the land!
C2C Cohort teams have, in the past two years collectively raised more than $22 million in follow-on funding, established 3 manufacturing facilities, and launched 5 commercial products.
Pre-applications for Innovators are now open through November 15, 2026. Early submissions are prioritized and will receive decisions before the final deadline.