Bakar Labs × SPINOUT Bootcamp
Presented by Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials
March 13–15, 2026 | UC Berkeley
In person at Bakar Labs
The Bakar Labs × SPINOUT Bootcamp is a selective, three-day commercialization intensive designed for scientists who want to rigorously evaluate whether—and how—their research could become a venture.
This program is built for UC Berkeley–affiliated proto-founders: early-career technical researchers and students who are not yet building a startup, but are seriously considering commercialization as a potential pathway after academia. Participants are guided through practical, investor-informed frameworks to assess commercial viability, technical risk, scale-up pathways, and founder readiness—before committing significant time, reputation, or funding to a spinout.
The bootcamp takes place March 13–15, 2026, on the Berkeley campus at Bakar Labs. Participation is at no cost to participants and by application and acceptance only.
Who Should Apply
The bootcamp is particularly relevant for researchers who are:
- Considering launching a startup based on academic or applied research
- Evaluating the real-world commercial potential of a specific R&D project
- Preparing for translational grants or fellowships (e.g., DOE, NSF, SBIR) that require credible commercialization assessment
Strong candidates typically:
- Are UC Berkeley–affiliated PhD candidates, postdocs, Master’s students, or principal investigators
- Work in applied physical science or engineering fields, including (but not limited to):
- Chemical engineering & physical chemistry
- Mechanical, electrical, or nuclear engineering
- Materials science & engineering
- Geology & geophysics
- Aeronautics & aerospace engineering
- Agriculture and food sciences
- Are current LBNL or LLNL affiliated scientists working in the aforementioned fields
- Have a strong interest in scientific entrepreneurship (no prior startup experience required)
- Have a specific technology or research project they want to apply program frameworks to during the bootcamp
Applicants may apply individually or as teams of up to three.
What the Bootcamp Covers
The SPINOUT Bootcamp is structured as a pre–company formation diagnostic. Participants work through hands-on exercises and workshops informed by the approaches used by investors, founders, and operators to assess:
- Commercial viability and potential market entry points
- Technical risk and techno-economic feasibility
- Capital requirements and scale-up pathways
- Founder readiness and next-step options
The goal is not to push participants toward company formation, but to help them make clear, informed decisions about whether commercialization is the right path—and what that path might look like.
The program has received a 94% satisfaction rating among past participants from leading R-1 research institutions.
Program Logistics
- Dates: March 13–15, 2026
- Format: In-person (no remote option), three full days
- Location: Bakar Labs, UC Berkeley
- Cost: All program costs, including meals and course materials, are fully covered by Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials
- Time commitment:
- Full participation across all three days
- Participation in a post-program evaluation conversation with Bakar Labs
Capacity is limited, and acceptance is selective. The program will consider rolling admissions and the application form will remain open until March 1.
About the Partners
Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials
Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials at UC Berkeley is a world-leading incubator with a mission to commercialize new technologies across physics, chemistry, materials science, energy, and environment. A dedicated building will open in 2028; ramping up to this launch, the pilot program is already operating. Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials builds on the success of Bakar Bio Labs, which has supported over 60 early-stage startups that have collectively raised more than $1B in the first four years.
Project SPINOUT
Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2024 and supported by Breakthrough Energy Discovery, Project SPINOUT brings decades of experience from deep-tech investors, founders, and ecosystem builders affiliated with MIT, The Engine, Lowercarbon Capital, Newlab, and more. Partners include organizations such as Breakthrough Energy, Autodesk Foundation, MIT Proto Ventures, Marble Venture Studio, Newlab, ARPA-E, and NSF I-Corps.
FAQs
Do I need faculty or institutional sponsorship to apply?
No. Faculty or institutional sponsorship is not required to participate in the program.
Is there a cost to participate?
No. All program costs are fully covered by Bakar Labs for Energy & Materials. Participants do not pay tuition or program fees to attend.
Does participation require giving up equity or intellectual property?
No. Participation in the bootcamp does not require giving up equity, intellectual property, or ownership rights, and does not create any financial or contractual obligation to Bakar Labs or any connected partners.
What is the time commitment?
Participants must be able to attend the three-day program (Friday March 13: noon-7p, Saturday March 14: 9a-5pm, and Sunday March 15: 9a-3p) and participate in a post-program evaluation meeting with Bakar Labs.
How competitive is the program?
The bootcamp is highly selective, with limited capacity. Applications are reviewed based on the strength of the research, its potential commercial relevance, and participant commitment to engaging fully in the program.
Do I need a pitch deck, customer interviews, or a formed company to apply?
No. Prior company formation, pitch decks, or customer discovery are not required. The program is intended for participants at an early exploration stage.
What happens after the bootcamp?
After the program, participants will:
- Receive feedback through a post-program evaluation conversation
- Remain connected to the Bakar Labs ecosystem and peer network
- Be better positioned to pursue follow-on resources ( ie POC funding, workshops, navigation support, mentorship, or incubator opportunities) as appropriate
Participation in the bootcamp does not guarantee admission to any future programs.
📩 Questions?
Contact Ryan Taylor at ryandiontaylor@berkeley.edu
