Lab Access Program

Accelerating Climate Innovation from Lab to Market - Faster

For Labs

Lab Access Marketplace

We’re building the 9Zero Lab Access Marketplace to unlock, improve, and streamline access to the resources and infrastructure startups need to build our most promising climate solutions.

The Lab Access Marketplace consists of university, national, and private labs that can support the development of climate technologies.

✅ Research facilities unlock new revenue streams by monetizing underutilized resources and tapping into new networks.

Why? Because…

  • Climate startups struggle to grow: Over 90% of climate tech startups fail to make it to market mainly due to insufficient early-stage capital and resources.

  • Critical resources are underutilized: Research facilities and labs are underutilized due to limited affordability, accessibility, and reach.

  • Opportunities are missed: We all lose out on the economic and environmental benefits of empowering transformative innovations to reach their full potential.

For Startups & Investors

Lab Access Program

The 9Zero Lab Access Vehicle (LAV) program is designed to bridge early-stage climate tech companies, investors, and research facilities to ensure that promising climate solutions transition from lab to market—faster.

✅ Founders spend less time fundraising and more time building with streamlined access to the capital and resources needed to accelerate technological development.

✅ Investors gain early exposure to high-potential climate innovations with clear pathways to market and preferred investment terms.

How it works:

  • Evaluating Founder/Investor/9Zero fit: Climate tech startups apply. We assess company stage, project scope, and program fit to ensure we have the right resources and network to support goals.

  • Mobilizing resources: Leveraging the 9Zero investor network, we help founders raise early-stage capital and gain access to the resources needed to accelerate their readiness levels.

  • Ongoing access to exclusive 9Zero benefits: Founders receive continued support to accelerate impact. Investors receive ongoing and early exposure to high-potential climate tech companies.

Lab Access FAQs

  • The LAV program is currently positioned to best support the following kinds of startups:

    • Hard tech and deep tech companies at TRL 2 - 5 with plans to commercialize

    • Patented (or patent-pending) technologies

    • Companies headquartered in the US

  • We partner with anyone building, funding, and enabling climate tech. Here are a few examples of our program partner: 

    • Investors (VCs, angels, family offices, endowments, philanthropy)

    • University, national, and private labs and research facilities

    • Incubators and accelerators

    • Industry experts and mentors

  • The LAV Program focuses on advancing key readiness levels—such as technology and adoption—to help prepare companies for market adoption and impact at scale. We help minimize the risks associated with transitioning from the lab to the market, while supporting economic growth and domestic intellectual property. We aim to bring a clearer path to startup valuation, enhance confidence in the scalability of climate solutions, and empower stakeholders with the insights and tools needed to make informed, impactful decisions.

  • Yes. Participants are expected to be (or to become) 9Zero members. 9Zero membership is designed to support startup growth beyond program engagement.

Contact us.

Interested in joining the Lab Access Marketplace, participating in the Lab Access Vehicle Program, or learning more?

Reach out to Zareen Khan at zareen.khan@9zero.com or fill out the form.