The Builder Platform, Powered by The Engine

Congratulations to Tim Bertram and the NSF Regenerative Medicine Engine for their recognition at Triad BioNight.     At scale, regenerative medicine technologies have the potential to transform the way America and the world approach tissue repair, organ replacement, and chronic disease treatment.  The Piedmont Triad region in North Carolina is emerging as a global epicenter for the industry.

Of all the industries poised for rapid advancement with integration of #quantum technologies, natural hazard prediction and response is one of the most promising.    The NSF ASCEND Engine in Colorado and Wyoming is at the forefront of this work. Erin Zimmerman, PhD unpacks the potential in a new analysis, shared by the NSF Engine���s lead partner Innosphere.    “One branch of quantum technology, quantum sensing, is quietly becoming one of the most practical and consequential areas of the field...Wildfire prediction is a prime example. Quantum sensors will be better able to detect early atmospheric conditions that make wildfire ignition more likely. Sensors can also detect potential ignition sources.”     Read it here ➡️    https://lnkd.in/enUQzn3E    The Builder Platform supports the NSF ASCEND Engine and NSF Engines nationwide in translating breakthrough research into real-world impact.  

This month, The Builder Platform released the first-ever impact report for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be highlighting some of the stories behind the data.     Today’s focus: a spotlight on several #ToughTech solutions emerging from NSF Engine ecosystems. ▪️ In Upstate New York, battery tech company Ateios Systems developed the fastest-ever solvent-free production process for high-energy battery electrodes, with support from the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY. The technology – now being scaled for production worldwide – increases energy density while lowering production costs, producing fully domestic and PFAS-free electrodes for materials that represent 80% of the global lithium-ion battery market.    ▪️ In Louisiana, startup BB&M Materials, LLC partnered with the NSF Future Use of Energy in Louisiana Engine and Louisiana Tech University to develop and deploy a new cement alternative for the oil and gas industry that lowers energy consumption while reducing unwanted byproducts. It's currently being piloted in the field.     ▪️ In North Dakota, local growers collaborated with the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota and technology company Aperture Earth to launch a new moisture mapping tool that uses an AI model to generate daily soil moisture maps, enabling farmers to make precise irrigation decisions without using in-ground sensors.    These examples represent just a small fraction of the 100+ technologies that NSF Engines are advancing nationwide, translating breakthrough research into real world impact.    Read the full report ➡️  https://lnkd.in/eH7v6rY7 

From the need for a reinvigorated defense supply chain to the race for technological superiority, “there’s a growing consensus that where technology is discovered, commercialized, and produced matters...Simply put, if we want a more secure economic future, we need more places in the United States where innovation and production happen side by side.”    That’s the goal of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines program - to establish U.S. leadership in key technology sectors, while bringing Tough Tech-driven economic growth to regions nationwide.    In a new, year-long series, Brookings Metro will document the execution of the program and its impact on the U.S. science and technology landscape.    Explore their initial analysis in this post by Alex Jones & Glencora Haskins.    The Builder Platform supports NSF Engines in translating breakthrough research into real-world impact.  

How healthy is your region’s #ToughTech workforce ecosystem?  In this month’s Builder Insights blog, The Builder Platform advisors Ryan Donahue and Francie Genz share a practical framework for assessing how well workforce development activities are being coordinated and implemented in regional technology ecosystems.  Drawing on insights from National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine workforce leads, they introduce six core workforce development functions – from career awareness and training to wraparound supports and outcomes tracking – and provide a step-by-step process for strengthening connections that lead to a durable talent pipeline.  Read it here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eyiSJzrG This post is the third in a six-part series designed for regional leaders navigating some of the most essential and difficult aspects of building Tough Tech ecosystems.  

This week, The Builder Platform gathered National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engine teams from across the country for the program’s second annual in-person retreat. Held in Fargo, home to the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota, the retreat brought together NSF Engine CEOs, workforce development leads, R&D experts, operation managers, and communicators, all working within their unique regional contexts toward a shared mission: to accelerate the development of #ToughTech capable of reshaping regional economies and solving some of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Teams shared plans, explored test bed strategies, formed cross-Engine collaborations, and formulated solutions to shared challenges. Most importantly, relationships were strengthened through in-person time together – energizing us all for the important work ahead.   Hollie Mackey, CEO of the AgTech Engine, summed it up best: “We learn and grow together… collaborating to compete for the future of the country.” Thank you to Hollie, Josh Gelinske, Allison Weckman, and the entire NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota team for hosting us, and to ecosystem partners North Dakota State University and NDeavor for giving us an inside look at the inspiring work happening in Fargo to advance technology solutions for regional growers and national food security. Looking forward to continuing to build together 🚀

These six early-stage companies just received a combined total of nearly $1.2 million from Future Use of Energy in Louisiana to advance critical technology solutions for the energy sector:   ➖ Renovigo Chemicals ➖ Westfield Fluid Controls, Inc. ➖ Eray Geophysical ➖ EcoGlobe World ➖ NovaSpark Energy ➖ Waste to Energy Systems, LLC   FUEL’s Proof-of-Concept program provides funding to help startups bridge the gap between invention and market entry, strengthening Louisiana’s #ToughTech ecosystem.    Congratulations to the latest awardees, with supporting partners Louisiana Innovation, Louisiana Economic Development, and Louisiana State University. Learn more ➡️  https://lnkd.in/eCjpdnbR   The Builder Platform supports FUEL and National Science Foundation (NSF) Engines nationwide as they accelerate startups working in critical sectors, helping translate breakthrough research into real-world impact. 

If you don't know about The Textile Innovation Engine of North Carolina by now, we just aren't interacting enough! I loooooove being part of this effort. NSF launched the Regional Innovation Engines program a couple of years ago, investing millions of dollars to advance industries and regions in the US that have not benefited from our recent tech booms. We are fortunate enough to be part of the first cohort of 9 engines. Time will always tell, and it is TELLING! Check out the impact report that was just released about what the Regional Innovation Engines are achieving in their regions across the United States. A little reminder of the good things your tax dollars are doing :) https://lnkd.in/eXcK-jXv Thank you for all your work and support, The Builder Platform, Powered by The Engine

Another exciting milestone for Upstate New York’s growing energy storage ecosystem: BAE Systems just marked the completion of their $65 million battery facility expansion in Endicott. ▪️ 134 new jobs ▪️ A new battery production line ▪️ New engineering lab space This expansion reflects the region’s momentum, strengthened by the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY – which recently announced renewal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) of up to $45 million over the next three years. Congratulations to BAE Systems, Empire State Development, Binghamton University, NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate NY, SUNY Broome Community College, and all the partners involved in building Upstate NY’s ecosystem. Excited to see what’s next!