#United States #Cambridge #NSF #Start2 Group #STRIDE Ventures

Start2 Group Launches STRIDE Ventures

On November 17, 2025, Start2 Group, Inc. announced the establishment of STRIDE Ventures, an exciting initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation's Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (NSF TIP). This program is designed to stimulate innovative breakthroughs that will enhance U.S. technological leadership, bolster economic security, and fortify industrial resilience.

A Strategic Focus on Innovation

STRIDE Ventures is committed to transforming high-potential research into executable solutions. By providing targeted funding, expert guidance, and strategic collaborations, STRIDE Ventures aims to improve the nation's ability to exploit emerging technologies in tackling pressing challenges. The ultimate objective is to promote the development of scalable technologies, which will accelerate radical innovations from the lab to the market.

The first initiative under STRIDE Ventures is the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge. This challenge provides vital funding and support aimed at speeding up the evolution of breakthrough technologies essential for enhancing the U.S. supply chain of critical and strategic metals. These metals are crucial components of modern industries, powering everything from energy systems and defense technologies to advanced manufacturing processes and the digital economy.

Currently, access to many of these pivotal materials is largely confined to a limited number of producing regions, which puts domestic industries at risk due to geopolitical tensions and logistical hurdles. The Tech Metal Transformation Challenge seeks to encourage bold, interdisciplinary innovations, melding biological, chemical, and physical-mechanical processes to mitigate this current dependence.

Call for Innovation

The Challenge encourages competing teams to design and demonstrate a comprehensive prototype system capable of extracting, converting, and reintegrating metals, including those sourced from complex domestic waste. The goal is to produce high-performance materials that comply with advanced manufacturing standards. By shifting strategy from traditional extraction methods to an innovation-centered approach for domestic material security, this program aspires to create a robust foundation for both present and future industries.

Structured as a multi-year initiative comprised of three phases, the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge mirrors Germany's SPRIND Tech Metal Challenge and aims to advance innovations from research and development to market validation, ultimately scaling them for widespread deployment. Supported by tiered funding and expert guidance, this initiative marks a significant progressive step toward addressing challenges in the metal supply chain.

Words from the Leadership

Annika Pierson, CEO of Start2 Group, emphasized, "Through STRIDE Ventures, we’re establishing a platform where innovation seamlessly integrates with implementation, ensuring scientific breakthroughs materialize into practical industrial capabilities." She highlighted, "Critical minerals are pivotal for the technologies that energize our economy and safeguard national security. NSF's investment in this Challenge addresses an urgent need while facilitating novel models of innovation that connect researchers and entrepreneurs with real-world problems, thereby fast-tracking breakthrough solutions to market."

Erwin Gianchandani, NSF Assistant Director for TIP, echoed her sentiments by stating, "This partnership is crucial for U.S. competitiveness and resilience in an industrial landscape that increasingly depends on these essential resources."

The Future of STRIDE Ventures

As a national platform for pioneering innovation, STRIDE Ventures aims to drive efforts that transition emerging technologies into practical applications enhancing U.S. competitiveness. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and maximizing momentum, STRIDE empowers teams to act quickly and take calculated risks to generate impactful outcomes where they matter most.

Through this initiative, Start2 Group envisions cultivating a vibrant community of experts, startups, investors, and other stakeholders. Those interested in staying updated on developments can subscribe to the STRIDE Ventures mailing list, ensuring they remain informed about innovations and events.

About the National Science Foundation TIP

The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) aims to engage Americans in accelerating critical and emerging technologies that enhance U.S. global competitiveness. Their collaborative efforts are aligned with three core strategies: expediting the growth of key technologies, broadening the geographic expanse of American innovation, and fostering a workforce prepared for competition.

To learn more about this initiative and NSF TIP, please visit nsf.gov/tip/latest.

About Start2 Group, Inc.

Start2 Group is a global leader in innovation, dedicated to advancing startups through development and commercialization. As a premier ecosystem partner for startups, governments, and corporations, Start2 Group is pivotal in shaping the future landscape of innovation across various international markets. With a footprint across the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, Start2 Group is positioned as a leader in the global innovation narrative.