The Innovation Space

📅 Monday, June 1 is the last day to register for IS:CleanTech. On June 4, IS:CleanTech will bring together founders, investors, corporate partners, and ecosystem leaders working across clean tech, sustainability, and advanced materials at The Innovation Space in Wilmington. Sponsored by IFF, DuPont, University of Delaware, Delaware Prosperity Partnership, and Fisher Scientific, the day will include: • Founder pitches from Crystron Technologies, Dunya Analytics, Ecovaleric, Lectrolyst, Livestock Labs, Materium Technologies, Minus Filtration, Mykito Sciences, PLHYDE - The Plant Leather Company, and Sindri Materials Corp. • A keynote from Anthony Schiavo of Lux Research • An investor panel moderated by Troy Wilford, with Matthew Cohen of Clean Energy Ventures, Dan Coppens of Robin Hood Ventures, Emily Dinu of Numinous Capital, and Katherine Elbert of Dow Ventures • A corporate partnerships panel moderated Alex Dulin with Michael Hershkowitz of IFF, Paul Bielewicz of W. L. Gore & Associates, and Troy Francisco of The Chemours Company • Facility tours • Networking across the innovation ecosystem IS:CleanTech is designed to connect people building, funding, and supporting science-based companies and technologies. You can read the recap afterward. Or you can be in the room for the conversations and connections as they happen. 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/ev2p_Dwu

As we prepare for the IS:CleanTech Ecosystem Summit in June, several themes continue surfacing across conversations with founders, investors, corporate partners and ecosystem stakeholders: • commercialization readiness  • manufacturing and operational scale-up  • evolving funding strategies  • corporate-startup collaboration  • the growing importance of connected innovation ecosystems These are the topics we’ll explore at IS:CleanTech on June 4. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZPfSzkr Learn more and register for IS:CleanTech: https://lnkd.in/ev2p_Dwu 

Emerging companies developing technologies across clean tech, energy, and advanced materials will take the stage at The IS:CleanTech Ecosystem Summit to share how they’re approaching commercialization, scale-up, and market adoption.   Here’s a look at some of the companies that will pitch at IS:CleanTech: Crystron Technologies’s breakthrough iron-based cathode delivers high-performance lithium-ion batteries — cheaper, cleaner, and made in America. Ecovaleric is developing bio-based solvents using electrochemistry to replace toxic industrial solvents with safer, cost-competitive alternatives. Dunya Analytics enables companies to uncover financial risk exposure associated with the biodiversity crisis. Livestock Labs is engineering high-performance animal cells that enable food companies to grow real meat — without the animal — faster, cheaper, and at scale. Lectrolyst is an electrochemical manufacturing company that converts waste CO₂ into low‑carbon chemicals using a cost‑effective, renewables‑powered tandem CO₂ electrolysis platform. Materium Technologies is developing scalable, sustainable nanocomposite coatings and films that deliver high-performance barrier, dielectric and optical functionality for electronics and photonics. Minus Filtration delivers advanced membrane systems that remove PFAS and emerging contaminants for municipal utilities and industrial operators, without the energy and water waste penalty of conventional treatment. @Mykito Sciences manufacturers the purest medical grade chitosan available using its proprietary fermentation technology. PLHYDE - The Plant Leather Company is a regenerative materials company creating circular, plastic-free alternatives to leather from upcycled fruit and vegetable waste. Sindri Materials Corp. is building the manufacturing platform for ultra-high-quality graphene, turning a breakthrough material into reliable commercial products. More startups will be announced soon.   IS:CleanTech brings together founders, investors, corporate partners and ecosystem leaders for direct conversations around innovation, market opportunities and the challenges of building and scaling science-driven companies in today’s environment.   Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/ep7_GAe7

The Innovation Space’s President & CEO, William D. Provine, is running to serve as a Director-at-Large on the American Chemical Society's Board of Directors. Bill brings decades of experience across chemistry, innovation, entrepreneurship, and company growth, along with a long-standing commitment to supporting science and technologies that improve lives. He would bring a practical, strategic, and financially grounded perspective to Board discussions and decision-making, shaped by years of working across industry, startups, and the broader innovation ecosystem. Learn more about Bill’s vision and priorities below ⬇️

Industry experience and operational perspective are critical parts of the conversation around scaling emerging technologies. That’s why the Innovation is pleased to announce that Dan Coppens will join the investor panel at the IS:CleanTech Ecosystem Summit, bringing more than two decades of leadership and investment experience in the medical device industry. Dan co-founded Qfix, a company focused on radiation therapy patient positioning devices, and led its growth from an early-stage company into a global industry leader operating in nearly 100 countries. In 2022, Qfix merged with its largest competitor to form CQ Medical. Prior to Qfix, Dan founded Anholt Technologies, specializing in composite material structures and solutions, which he incubated at the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials. Dan currently serves as an advisor, mentor and senior leader for several businesses and startups and holds approximately 90 patents and patents pending. At IS:CleanTech, Dan will join fellow panelists to discuss commercialization, company growth and what founders should understand about building and scaling technology-driven businesses in today’s market. Learn more about the IS:CleanTech Ecosystem Summit: https://lnkd.in/ev2p_Dwu

Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 cohort of  Science Inc.™ | Life Sciences at The Innovation Space. Science Inc. is a high-touch accelerator designed specifically for early-stage Life Sciences startups preparing for commercialization, strategic growth, and fundraising. This 14-week accelerator supports early-stage startups advancing therapeutics, biotech platforms, drug delivery systems, synthetic biology, biomaterials, and other applied life science innovations with strong commercial potential. Unlike generalist startup accelerators, Science Inc. combines sector-specific expertise, investor readiness support, commercialization guidance, and direct access to experienced operators, mentors, investors, and industry leaders who understand the realities of building and scaling scientific companies. Each cohort is intentionally limited to approximately 10 companies to ensure meaningful engagement, individualized support, and strong founder connections throughout the program. Applications close July 8. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/ehYR9prs

Industry engagement is a key part of the conversations happening at the IS:CleanTech Ecosystem Summit.   Michael Hershkowitz, Director of Sustainable Innovation at IFF, will join us for a reverse pitch session focused on sustainability-driven innovation and industry collaboration. At IFF, Michael leads efforts to advance innovations that support both healthy people and a healthy planet while building the partnerships needed to drive the next generation of sustainable technologies. His work focuses on translating sustainability challenges into business opportunities across food, beverage, health, biosciences and scent. During the reverse pitch session, Michael will share insights on sustainable innovation and industry engagement. With experience spanning biotech, consumer products and sustainable innovation strategy, Michael brings a valuable industry perspective to conversations around commercialization, collaboration and scaling emerging technologies. Learn more about IS:CleanTech and register: https://lnkd.in/ep7_GAe7 

So exciting — congratulations! 🎉

The Innovation Space’s 2025 Impact Report is now live. 🎉   The report highlights how science-driven startups across life sciences, clean technology and advanced materials continued to advance through strategic partnerships, infrastructure and commercialization support.   From 2017 through 2025, companies supported through The Innovation Space ecosystem raised more than $1.24 billion in funding.   Hear more from our Chief Growth Officer, Marcie Reilly below, then explore the full report here: innovationspace.org/impact

We’re pleased to have Troy Wilford Director of Commercialization Programs at University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship, moderating the investor panel at IS: CleanTech on June 4.   Troy brings experience across academic innovation and commercialization, where he focuses on supporting researchers and early-stage teams as they move from scientific discovery toward real-world application. His work centers on building programs that help founders navigate the path from lab to market. With a background spanning university ecosystems, translational research and industry experience in MedTech, Troy brings a balanced perspective on how technical innovation connects with commercialization and investment. He will guide the conversation as investors share how they are evaluating opportunities and what it takes for companies to raise and scale in today’s environment.   IS: CleanTech convenes founders, investors, and corporate partners working across clean tech and advanced materials for a full day of focused conversations.   Learn more about it and register here: https://lnkd.in/ev2p_Dwu