Activate Welcomes 47 New Fellows to Propel America’s Hard Tech Revolution
Activate, the nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming scientific breakthroughs into scalable hard tech companies, has announced its 2025 Cohort of 47 exceptional scientists and engineers. These individuals represent 39 innovative startups spanning 14 industries, showcasing the diversity and potential of advanced technologies being developed across the United States. Hailing from 29 cities and nine states, this cohort is rooted in Activate’s four hub communities—Berkeley, Boston, Houston, and New York—as well as Activate Anywhere, a remote-based program that extends support to fellows nationwide.
“Science entrepreneurship is the origin story of tomorrow’s industries,” said Cyrus Wadia, CEO of Activate. “The U.S. has long been a global leader in science and technological innovation, and when it comes to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, hard tech innovation holds the key to unlocking transformative solutions. From revolutionizing energy systems to advancing agriculture and infrastructure, these Activate Fellows are the bold thinkers building the next generation of science-driven companies that will shape our future.”
A Snapshot of Innovation Across Industries
This year’s cohort reflects a broad spectrum of industries at the forefront of technological advancement. The selected fellows are tackling critical areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, energy security, agriculture, and infrastructure. Their work underscores the importance of hard tech in solving complex global challenges while driving economic growth and competitiveness.
The rigorous selection process attracted over 900 applications from across the nation, marking this as the most competitive cohort in Activate’s history. Each application was evaluated by selection committees composed of some of the world’s leading experts in fields like quantum computing, robotics, biology, agriculture, energy, direct air capture, and more. This ensures that the technologies and startups emerging from the fellowship are not only novel but also poised to make a significant impact.
Expanding Geographic Reach and Impact
Activate continues to broaden its geographic footprint, welcoming its first fellow from Ohio and bringing its total reach to 25 states. The Activate Anywhere program, initially launched with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation ecosystems beyond the organization’s core hubs. This year’s cohort includes fellows from innovation hotspots like Michigan and Colorado, alongside those based in California, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas.
One notable emphasis in this year’s cohort is the focus on domestic semiconductor manufacturing, supported by partnerships with the NIST CHIPS Research and Development (R&D) Office and the NSF. As global supply chains face increasing pressure, onshoring semiconductor production is vital for ensuring national security and technological leadership. Activate’s fellows are contributing to this effort by developing cutting-edge solutions that strengthen America’s position in this critical industry.
A Decade of Transformative Impact
This marks the 11th cohort since Activate’s founding in 2015. Over the past decade, the organization has played a pivotal role in nurturing science entrepreneurs who are redefining what’s possible. To date, Activate Fellows have founded 236 companies, 97 percent of which remain active. Collectively, these ventures have raised over $4 billion in follow-on funding and created nearly 3,000 new jobs across the U.S., demonstrating the tangible economic and societal benefits of investing in science entrepreneurship.
Activate’s success is made possible through partnerships with government agencies, private philanthropists, and other stakeholders committed to advancing innovation. By providing fellows with resources, mentorship, and access to networks, Activate empowers them to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and market-ready solutions.
Meet the Innovators of Tomorrow
The 2025 Cohort exemplifies the creativity and determination needed to tackle today’s toughest challenges. For example:
- One startup is developing advanced materials for carbon capture, enabling industries to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining productivity.
- Another fellow is leveraging AI to optimize agricultural practices, improving crop yields and resource efficiency in response to growing food demands.
- A team focused on semiconductors is pioneering new fabrication techniques that could lower costs and enhance performance for next-generation electronics.
These examples highlight the breadth of innovation within the cohort, addressing issues ranging from climate change to food security and technological sovereignty.
Building a Future-Ready Economy
As the demand for advanced technologies grows, organizations like Activate are essential in cultivating an ecosystem where science entrepreneurs can thrive. By equipping fellows with the tools and support they need to commercialize their ideas, Activate is helping build a resilient, future-ready economy. Its model not only accelerates technological progress but also fosters collaboration among academia, industry, and government—a synergy critical for addressing systemic challenges.
ABOUT ACTIVATE
Founded in 2015, Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent the world by launching startups to address the most pressing global challenges. Working between government, philanthropy, universities, and the private sector, Activate transforms scientists and engineers into high-impact entrepreneurs through the Activate Fellowship, a two-year immersive experience that equips science entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, infrastructure, and funding they need to quickly and effectively bring their groundbreaking research to market. Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not charge any fee nor equity for fellows to participate. Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, founding Activate partner and the first U.S. Department of Energy’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) started at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Activate supports fellows in communities across the United States: Activate Berkeley, Activate Boston, Activate New York, Activate Houston, and Activate Anywhere.
