THE PROBLEM: Ultimately, the goal of any technology transfer is to benefit American consumers. To that end, industry partners are essential to bringing that technology to the public — but they can be difficult to find. That is why Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) launched the Safari Program, supported by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Technology Transitions. 

THE SOLUTION: The Safari Program pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with laboratories to create new ventures that will provide economic impact and create U.S. jobs. By tapping into regional networks, the ORNL team identified and recruited 24 entrepreneurs who were aligned with the program’s goals and lab capabilities. They became champions for ORNL within their ecosystems and networks, expanding the Safari pool of potential partners. By targeting seasoned entrepreneurs, the program ensures that labs get venture leadership, a keen market understanding, and experience in early-stage technology commercialization. 

When ORNL realized that the entrepreneurs were more inclined to use virtual tools than schedule in-person visits, they adapted the program to provide each entrepreneur with curated, market-ready information shared virtually by a corresponding innovator. Safari administrators adopted a researcher coaching program to pitch innovations to entrepreneurs and investors via virtual platforms. ORNL also collaborated with Angelique Adams Media Solutions to develop an eight-week Safari coaching workshop focused on transforming highly technical presentations into concise, compelling pitches, developing the entrepreneurial mindset of ORNL researchers, and empowering them to promote their technologies. 

THE IMPACT: For ORNL, the Safari program accomplishes several things at once. It makes ORNL researchers into better communicators and spokespeople for their technologies, developing long-term relationships, and facilitating new connections and collaborations across many disciplines. By March 2025, the initiative had led to three new technology licenses, with more coming (nine NDAs have been signed with entrepreneurs). The network of 24 engaged entrepreneurs is connected to ORNL technologies and will be a valuable asset for years to come. Other DOE laboratories have expressed interest in replicating Safari to drive more effective engagements and commercial outcomes. Finally, ORNL’s Safari Program has raised the lab’s public profile, accelerated commercialization to more quickly provide economic and societal benefits, and increased economic development and job creation.