The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the 11 scientists and engineers joining Cyclotron Road’s 2026 cohort at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. As part of the DOE’s Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program, fellows receive two years of funding, a living stipend, and access to Berkeley Lab’s research facilities and entrepreneurial training through Activate. The program supports innovators transitioning from discovery to product development and company formation.

This cohort expands Cyclotron Road’s total to 100 companies and 131 fellows since its 2014 launch. Todd Pray, Berkeley Lab’s Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer, highlighted the fellows’ work across AI, energy, agriculture, biology, and materials. Recent alumnus Fervo Energy raised $1.89 billion, valuing the geothermal company at over $10 billion, underscoring the program’s impact on commercializing critical technologies.

Cyclotron Road is the first node in DOE’s LEEP initiative, established by the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. Fellows have collectively raised over $4.9 billion in follow-on funding, hired more than 2,800 employees, and launched products across energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. The program is managed by DOE’s Office of Technology Commercialization with support from multiple DOE offices and partners.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, managed by the University of California for the DOE’s Office of Science, conducts research in energy, materials, and other fields. The lab’s 17 Nobel Prizes reflect its role in advancing scientific discovery, while Cyclotron Road provides a pathway for researchers to translate lab findings into market-ready solutions with institutional backing.