TechBridge Program - About Us

Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems

Fraunhofer TechBridge Logo

Bridging the Gap from the Lab to the Market

The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems has established the TechBridgeTM Program to support the development of innovative clean energy technology companies. The program provides entrepreneurs with access to the global Fraunhofer Network of research institutions in order to meet early-stage, technical milestones.  TechBridge then works to match startups with the most appropriate form of financing either through grants or strategic investors. This innovative program helps reduce technology risk for entrepreneurs and investors by supplying Fraunhofer research and development services at the critical early stages of technology development.

Services


While its core offerings are based on Fraunhofer R&D, the TechBridge network provides support for growing companies by including access to all of the services needed to get a company off the ground:

 

World Renowned R&D Resources
TechBridge exists to help innovative startups connect with R&D resources at the Center as well as the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance, a network of eleven Fraunhofer institutes that includes the CSE and its like-minded German counterparts.


Prototyping
CSE can assist clients with rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept demonstrations for novel energy devices. With design and modeling expertise, equipment, and access to Fraunhofer facilities in Germany and the USA, the CSE can reduce capital expenditure costs and accelerate time to market without requiring clients to sacrifice intellectual property rights.


Strategic Funding
Strategic funding can be accessed through co-applications on government grants or from investors hand-picked by the TechBridge team. We use a market process and streamlined term sheet to help secure financing in an efficient manner and create the best match for both entrepreneur and investor.


Business Mentors
Clients receive the benefit of working with seasoned professionals to realize their visions. Business mentorship is provided internally through local networks and partnerships with organizations such as the North Shore Technology Council (NSTC) and the New England Clean Energy Council (NECEC).


Affiliated Services
Office work environments are available to select clients. Other services like legal counsel, accounting and consulting can be offered via TechBridge's various partners.

 


 
"[TechBridge] fills an important need in the ecosystem for innovators and entrepreneurs so they can have a relatively smooth glide path from the idea through to the creation of a sustainable and saleable venture. We are very happy to have them here..."
-- Bill Aulet
Entrepreneur in Residence, MIT Entrepreneurship Center