EIR Program

The Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) Program is the avenue through which NIREC integrates researchers, experienced entrepreneurs, business executives and sources of capital to identify and fund viable cost-effective renewable energy solutions and companies.

NIREC provides gap funding and an EIR to each Project. All Projects aspire to the development of a well grounded and compelling "Business Package" - a set of documents that sets the stage for taking the technology to the “next level”, whether its objective is to eventually seek funding to start a company, license the technology, or conclude that a viable business does not exist.

The success of the EIR program relies heavily on the collaboration between various stakeholders - the Department of Energy (DOE), Principle Investigators, EIRs, the Technology Commercialization Advisory Board (TCAB), the Board of Trustees, and the larger community of Research Directors, Angel Groups, Venture Capitalists and Licensing/IP facilitators. As such, NIREC advocates a strong culture of collaboration, transparency and respect - culture that will ensure the renewable energy technologies we fund will go on to make a difference in the world - to the environment, the economy and the community.