NSF ASCEND Engine Launches ASCEND Commercialization Partners
CO-LABS member NSF ASCEND Engine, led by Innosphere, has launched ASCEND Commercialization Partners, connecting researchers with experienced entrepreneurs and commercialization fellows to accelerate promising technologies into the marketplace.
The program offers funded engagements of 6 to 12 months, helping research teams identify customers, validate market opportunities, and develop business models for innovations in wildfire response, water and electric utilities, space weather, and environmental resilience. Applications are due November 30, 2026.
“Some of the most promising technologies in Colorado and Wyoming are waiting on the same thing: someone who knows why, what, and how the customer buys,” said Tim Jones, COO of Innosphere and director of translation for the NSF ASCEND Engine. “ASCEND Commercialization Partners puts business expertise inside the team early, while it can still shape what gets built. ”
Embedded Entrepreneurs are experienced business professionals with deep knowledge of a target sector, such as electric utilities, water, insurance, aerospace, or biotechnology.
Commercialization Fellows may be earlier in their careers and combine technical expertise from a post-graduate degree with entrepreneurial experience or interest.
CO-LABS applauds this initiative! Connecting scientific discovery with business expertise is essential to creating new companies, strengthening industries, generating jobs, and maximizing the economic return on public research investments.
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