Six entrepreneurs have been selected for the next cohort of Innovation Crossroads, a Department of Energy Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program node (LEEP) based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The program provides energy-related startup founders from across the nation with access to ORNL's researchers, facilities and technical expertise, as well as connect them with experts, mentors and networks to accelerate their efforts to take their promising ideas to the marketplace.
"Through Innovation Crossroads, ORNL plays a critical role in nurturing early-stage energy and manufacturing startups, catalyzing for innovation and collaboration," said Susan Hubbard, ORNL deputy for science and technology. "By providing access to ORNL's cutting-edge resources, expertise, and advanced facilities, we can accelerate advancements in energy and emerging technologies that increase U.S. economic competitiveness and regional economic development."
Program strengthens startup ecosystem and advances technologies essential to U.S. competitiveness
Since its launch in 2015, LEEP has supported 239 fellows and helped launch more than 200 startups that have attracted more than $6 billion in follow-on funding and created nearly 4,000 jobs. LEEP-supported startups have achieved a 92 percent success rate, far exceeding the typical survival rate for hard-tech startups.
This year's cohort is the first since the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) began managing the program.
"Successful startups do more than bring new technologies to market - they create high-quality jobs, strengthen domestic supply chains and help build a more competitive American economy," said Anthony Pugliese, DOE Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization. "Innovation Crossroads is helping founders develop solutions in nationally important technology areas, while giving them the resources and expertise needed to grow. Investments in entrepreneurs today help create the companies that will drive innovation, economic growth and U.S. leadership in the industries of tomorrow."
Innovation Crossroads is one of four DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) nodes, building on the program's national success while advancing innovation through ORNL's unique capabilities.
Since its first cohort in 2017, Innovation Crossroads has supported over 51 startups, more than half of which have remained in the region, contributing to a thriving innovation ecosystem while developing technologies that address national priorities. Those companies have achieved over $100 million in sales revenue and $326.8 million in follow-on funding.
Innovation Crossroads is a two-year fellowship program focused on energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. Through an annual national competition, top entrepreneurial-minded fellows are selected to join the program. Innovators receive a fellowship that includes a substantial grant to use on collaborative research at ORNL and comprehensive mentoring assistance to build a sustainable business model. This year's cohort is supported by the Office of Technology Commercialization and the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation , as well as the Tennessee Valley Authority .
Cohort 2026 entrepreneur-fellows also will complete the Spark Cleantech Accelerator, a 12-week program offered by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Spark Innovation Center at the UT Research Park.
Cohort 2026 includes:
Ernesto Borrego. HAND Technologies is developing advanced materials that dramatically reduce the time required to manufacture high-performance carbon composites for aerospace and defense. The company plans to commercialize resin materials based on its exclusive BODA chemistry, which significantly shortens production times from the current standard of 9 months. By developing new materials that make it faster and easier to manufacture high-performance carbon composites used in defense, aerospace, and other advanced industries, HAND aims to expand critical supply chains and speed the delivery of advanced materials to market. Borrego is cofounder and CEO of HAND Technologies, where he has drawn on his technical background and experience to raise over $7 million in nondilutive funding for the company.
Eric Heikkenen. NXT MFG is developing a new metal 3D printing platform that makes it faster, cheaper and easier to manufacture large, complex metal parts. This system combines lower-cost hardware with intelligent software that automates much of the manufacturing process, reducing the need for specialized expertise. The platform uses a unique wire-feed approach and real-time process monitoring to improve production efficiency and part quality. Heikkenen is a mechanical engineer who earned his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He specializes in large-scale metal additive manufacturing and advanced welding-based deposition processes.
Erick Hoegberg. DiNeu Technologies is developing a technology that provides faster, lower-cost monitoring of alpha-emitting radioactive materials to support nuclear safety, security and isotope production. Its diamond-based sensor system can accurately identify radioactive elements and specific isotopes in liquid samples, providing near-real-time measurements for processing, disposal, quality control and nuclear security. The system has received more than $2.9 million in funding through DOE's ARPA-E program and the Y-12 National Security Complex and has attracted interest from national laboratories, private companies, and academic researchers. By delivering faster, more affordable measurements than current methods, the company aims to improve the safe and efficient management of nuclear materials. Hoegberg earned his doctorate in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research focused on developing advanced radiation detection systems that advance the DOE mission across its portfolio.
Marton Krivan. Aquafer Technologies develops water treatment materials that work with existing municipal and residential treatment systems to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals." Its patent-pending approach is easier and less expensive to adopt than many newer alternatives while providing longer-lasting, broad protection against more than 1,000 PFAS compounds. The technology has been successfully tested in real-world settings and is supported by an exclusive worldwide license and National Science Foundation certification for drinking water applications. Krivan is the manufacturing lead at Aquafer Technologies and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in industrial engineering.
David Preiss. Variable Machines is developing a low-cost, programmable mold system that can be reconfigured to produce different composite parts without building a new mold for each design. The platform replaces traditional single-use tooling with a digitally controlled surface, reducing manufacturing time, cost and material waste. By making composite manufacturing more flexible and efficient, Variable Machines aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and support industries such as aerospace, maritime and electrification. Preiss earned his master's degree from MIT, where his research focused on precision machine design and laser machining diamond rotors for use in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He has worked in industry to develop next-generation digital fabrication tools.
Daniel Rau. Many of the critical minerals that the United States relies on are recovered as by-products from operating mines. Kunin is developing a new approach that helps recover critical minerals, such as copper, nickel, cobalt and uranium, more quickly and efficiently. Its patent-pending nanofiber system is designed to replace traditional ion exchange resin beads with a higher-performance material that captures valuable minerals faster while using the same proven chemistry. The company's technology has demonstrated significantly higher processing capacity than conventional systems and is being developed in partnership with nanofiber manufacturing experts. Rau is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and was previously selected as a 50 Years Venture Fellow and Harpoon Ventures Black Flag Fellow.
