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The New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program (NM-LEEP) matches entrepreneurs with seed capital, a large network of mentors, customers, and investors and the unique expertise and resources of Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos) and Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia). Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), New Mexico LEEP provides a tailored business curriculum, technical support, and unique national lab expertise and facilities with the goal of commercializing critical deeptech innovations that impact our national security in the clean energy, biotech, advanced materials, AI and advanced computing, and space sectors.

Every year, a cohort of entrepreneurs are recruited from around the country. For two years, you will be embedded in the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) research ecosystem, where DOE/NNSA provides funding, access to Los Alamos and Sandia national labs, and a program of intensive mentorship, tailored business development, and networking. 

We are looking for entrepreneurial technical leaders who have the drive and ability to build a transformative technology and lead a team in its development. We also aim to ensure that the initial project concept is technically sound, reasonably differentiated, and addresses a well-framed problem with potential to significantly advance the missions of our fellowship sponsors.

Our goal is simple: empower participants to mature their ideas from concept to prototype to first commercial product and identify the most suitable commercial path to launch their technology into the commercial market.

This opportunity will be offered as long as Los Alamos National Laboratory is able to complete the onboarding process and ensure a meaningful experience to participants. We encourage you to apply and submit your application as soon as possible.  Updates to this opportunity will be provided on this page as needed.

Description

The New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneur Program (NM LEEP) supports innovators addressing national security challenges. We match visionary technology innovators with seed capital, customers, investors, individualized training, and the unique and world-class expertise and resources of New Mexico’s national laboratories. With up to two years of non-dilutive funding, NM LEEP innovators have the opportunity to advance, test, and validate their technologies necessary to transition them into scalable products. NM LEEP offers fellows:

1. A two-year collaboration to advance their technology with DOE National Laboratory researchers;
2. Customized entrepreneurial training and technology-to-market; and,
3. Connections to networks and business resources with potential industry partners, investors, and customers.

Program Benefits:

STIPEND

Annual stipends range from $80,000 to $120,000, plus health insurance, travel reimbursement, and relocation allowance.

MENTORSHIP
Interact with mentors to perfect the investor pitch and get introductions to a global network of investors to accelerate funding opportunities from federal and private sources.

EXPERTISE

Testing, validation, and early product development through a two-year technical collaboration with a New Mexico national laboratory researcher(s) through a funded Cooperative Research and Development agreement (CRADA).

COMMERCIALIZATION

Business model development with an experienced network of business resources that offer expertise in market sectors specific to your technology and market opportunity.

CURRICULUM 

Tailored training and curriculum covering product design & development, investor strategies, financial projections, pricing strategy, pitch development, and more.

For more information about NM LEEP Program, please visit https://nmleep.com/ 

Qualifications for acceptance into the program:

• Candidate must be a US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at the time of application and through the duration of the program.
• Candidate must have completed requirements for a Bachelor's Degree, Master or PhD by the anticipated start date of the appointment.
• Candidate must relocate to Northern New Mexico for at least the duration of the 2-year program.
• Candidate must declare affiliations with:
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory, or Triad, LLC’s partner institutions: Battelle Memorial Institute, University of California, and Texas A&M University system; and
  • Sandia National Laboratories, or National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (NTESS) partners institution: Federal Manufacturing and Technologies (FM&T), Northrop Grumman Corporation and its affiliates, Universities Research Association (URA) and its member institutions, Longenecker and Associates and Sandia Technical Partners (STP) and its member companies

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age