Accelerating Climate, Energy, and Materials Innovation from Lab to Market.
De-risk your CleanTech & Materials startup and unlock strategic partners, funding & market entry — in 14 weeks.
Applications for Spring 2026 are now closed.
About the Science Inc.™ | CleanTech & Materials Accelerator
We help science-driven startups move faster from lab validation to pilots, customers and capital.
Science Inc. | Clean Tech & Advanced Materials provides a focused and structured program for early-stage startups developing breakthrough technologies in next-generation materials, clean energy and storage systems, and specialty ingredients. Founders receive deep commercialization support, expert mentorship and meaningful exposure to corporate, investment and ecosystem partners. The accelerator is highly selective but there is no cost to participate, and no equity is taken
Our Spring cohort is dedicated to companies working in:
- Next-generation materials (e.g., biodegradable polymers, functional materials, nanomaterials)
- Clean energy and storage systems (e.g., new battery chemistries, grid-scale storage)
- Sustainable and specialty chemical ingredients (e.g., bio-based surfactants, low-toxicity coatings, carbon-to-chemical pathways)
“The Science Inc. program provides a well-organized and comprehensive crash-course on all the critical elements required to build an incredibly compelling pitch deck for investors, and to strength-test your understanding of your business model and target market. We would recommend this program to entrepreneurs at any level with any background, especially those coming from a predominantly technical background with limited business skills.” — Chris DiMarco, CEO of Sindri Materials
What You’ll Gain
Sector-Specific Curriculum
Over the 14-week hybrid program we focus on the business-critical pathways for clean tech and materials innovation:
- Identifying value-inflection milestones (e.g., minimum viable product, pilot scale)
- Technology-to-market strategy including supply-chain and scale-up dynamics
- Corporate partnership and offtake structuring
- Investor outreach and engagement (impact funds, industrial investors, VCs)
Expert Mentorship & Strategic Support
You’ll be connected to seasoned industry leaders, technical advisors and investment professionals who understand the unique challenges of clean-tech scale-up, materials commercialization, and sustainability transitions.
Resources & Community Access
Founders gain access to The Innovation Space’s network of experts and resources including coworking space, target partner introductions, and member-only perks like data-platform access and founder events.
Visibility & Investor Connections
The program culminates in a Demo Day as part of The Innovation Space’s IS:CleanTech conference where you can tell your story and build relationships with investors and strategic partners focused on clean-tech and materials innovation.
Science Inc. participants and alumni also gain access to curated pitch opportunities across the broader CleanTech and Advanced Materials ecosystem.
Program Snapshot
- Timeline: February–June 2026
- Format: Hybrid (virtual delivery + 2 Required In-Person Events)
- Location: Virtual + Wilmington, DE
- Application Deadline: January 25, 2026
- Cohort launches: February 26, 2026
Key In-Person Events
- April 9, 2026: Live Pitch Workshop
- June 3-4 2026: Final Pitch Event & Science Inc. Days Celebration
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for founders advancing sustainable chemistry and advanced materials technologies with the following in place:
- A defined scientific innovation with early validation
- Completed foundational market research
- A business model and milestone roadmap
- At least $50,000 raised (dilutive or non-dilutive)
- A plan to fundraise within the next 12 months
Preference will be given to companies based in or expanding to the Mid-Atlantic region.
What Founders Are Saying
“Science Inc has been an excellent program for early-stage founders like us. We especially enjoyed connecting with their talented team of EIRs, who were extremely knowledgeable and always happy to help with whatever questions we had. Thanks for everything!”
— Rory Brogan, CEO, Torev Motors