A First-in-the-World Model

Grasshopper Ventures is the first venture builder of its kind that combines translation and technology expertise to identify, build, and launch impactful startups that leverages DOE research and technology, including university-developed technologies. Grasshopper is creating a new kind of academia-industry climate-specific commercialization network that amplifies, connects and extends each University's current efforts, while empowering the industry to usher in, adapt to, and prosper in a decarbonized economy and world. We were founded to address the critical need to accelerate the applied research, development, and deployment of climate-specific technologies based in the physical sciences, such as materials and manufacturing, that are capable of transforming the nation’s energy systems and circular carbon economy. Driving these technologies from laboratory to commercialization requires both collaborative research and development and the entrepreneurial venture building model we created.

Grasshopper’s venture building model is designed to reduce barriers traditionally present in centralized, university-based entrepreneurship programs by creating a more inclusive, transparent and innovative ecosystem where university & National Lab intellectual capital is fully leveraged, and students, faculty, and external stakeholders can co-create, invest in, and democratize the process of turning research and innovation into practical, real-world applications that can address the global challenges posed by climate change, help mitigate environmental impact, stimulate economic growth, & benefit humanity as a whole.