About

Energy and Manufacturing to Secure U.S. Prosperity

Our mission: “Opening Argonne’s door to deliver on our promise
of a sustainable, prosperous, and equitable
world—one innovator, one startup at a time.”

Through a rigorous application process, we identify innovators with ideas for energy- and science-based technologies that can have a significant impact on the lives of billions of people. We will provide these innovators with the laboratory tools and collaborators needed to grow their early-stage technologies so they can attract the long-term capital and commercial partners needed to scale and launch into the marketplace. If you’re interested in applying for the program, learn more by reading the CRI Applicant FAQs.

Watch the CRI video to learn more about this innovative program.

Our Guiding Principles

  • Securing U.S. energy prosperity requires complex science.
  • It will take breakthroughs in chemistry, physics, materials, and engineering to develop energy sources and deliver energy affordably to the U.S. and across the globe, including to the 1.4 billion people currently living without access to power, clean water and the billions more with unreliable power.
  • A secure future and competitive America depends on advanced manufacturing.
  • Big challenges require big, bold partnerships.
  • The invention, development, and commercialization of transformative innovations require collaboration between government and the private sector to successfully transition new technologies from the lab to the marketplace.

Neither the U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne nor its employees take equity in CRI startups. Argonne operates as a steward of federal funds and takes seriously any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.

Our Path to Success

  • We identify the best and brightest innovators.
  • We provide unprecedented access to world-class scientific tools and expertise.
  • We partner innovators with mentors to build strong business strategies and distribute game-changing technologies.

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The idea of the lone inventor growing the next transformative technology with nothing but brilliance and sweat is a myth. Technologies that forge new industries, create sustainable energy sources, and raise standards of living require teamwork. To grow these technologies from idea to prototype requires vast amounts of capital, expensive equipment, and often, the blending of cross-discipline scientific and engineering expertise. To get these technologies quickly into the hands of the people they can help requires investment, market access, a strong business plan, and connections.

We are that support team for today’s best and brightest innovators. We give you the resources and room to grow your ideas and create a lasting legacy.

Chain Reaction Innovations’s leadership team brings a mix of technical, business, marketing, entrepreneurial and IP portfolio management skills that innovators may leverage.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) provides funding for a two-year period to support four to six innovators. New innovators will be selected each year to receive the fellowship. This funding covers salary, benefits, use of laboratory equipment and office space, and guidance from Argonne researchers. Argonne also contributes funds to the program.