Entrepreneur-In-Residence

The Los Alamos Makers EIR program is a low-friction, high-flexibility residency for:

• Scientists and engineers exploring a startup or spin-out

• Creative-tech and hardware founders needing prototyping space

• Out-of-state companies looking for a New Mexico / LANL foothold

• LANL-adjacent innovators who want a place to experiment outside formal institutional constraints

Instead of a traditional incubator with rigid cohorts and fixed schedules, this EIR model is built around real projects, shared tools, and practical milestones.

EIRs can join in two ways:

1. In-kind EIR – contribute a few hours of expertise each month in exchange for enhanced access and support.

2. Access EIR – pay a small flat fee for the same support, without any required service contribution.

Tools & Space

• Access to Los Alamos Makers’ prototyping tools

  • 3D printers, laser cutters/engravers, CNC and fabrication tools

  • Electronics benches and basic instrumentation

  • Creative-tech tools (embroidery, sublimation, design tools, etc.)

• Access to shared wet-lab space                          (via The Community Lab LLC, where applicable)

• Flexible work areas for project work, small meetings, and workshops​

Ecosystem & Connectivity

• Introductions (when appropriate) to:

  • LANL-adjacent partners and programs

  • Regional innovation partners 

• Opportunities to present at:

  • The Los Alamos Tech Meetup

  • Workshops, demos, and community events

• Visibility through:

  • Los Alamos Makers’ newsletters, social media, and partner channels

You might be a great fit if you are:

• A LANL scientist or staff member exploring a side project or future spin-out

• A researcher or engineer from another lab or university exploring New Mexico as a base

• A biotech, medtech, or hard-tech founder needing prototyping and early de-risking

• A creative technologist or artist-engineer building interactive, physical, or digital experiences

• A remote or out-of-state startup team seeking a foothold near LANL and the New Mexico innovation ecosystem

You do not need a polished company, big budget, or formal investor deck to start.

Very early, “half-baked” ideas are welcome—as long as you’re ready to work on them.

• Apply Online
  Fill out a simple form about your background, your project, and whether you’re interested in the In-Kind EIR or Access EIR track.

• Conversation & Fit Check
  We’ll schedule a short conversation to:

  • understand your goals

  • figure out which track and time commitment make sense

  • identify tools, support, and possible collaborators

• Plan & Onboarding
  Together we’ll outline:

  • your initial 3–6 month goals

  • expected milestones

  • any planned workshops/mentoring (if in-kind)

  • how often you’d like check-ins or office hours

• Build, Test, Iterate
  You work on your project using LAM’s space and support. We adjust as needed: if your project evolves, your EIR plan can evolve with it.

• Review & Next Steps
  At the end of your term, we’ll:

  • review progress and lessons learned

  • discuss whether to extend, graduate, or shift into a different engagement (e.g., standard membership, partnership, etc.)

• Do I need to have a registered company to apply?
  No. You can be anywhere from “serious idea” to incorporated startup.

• Is this only for people connected to LANL?
  No. EIRs can come from anywhere. However, if you’re interested in LANL collaboration or a New Mexico presence, this program is especially well-suited.

• I’m not a scientist. Can I still apply?
  Yes. Creative technologists, designers, engineers, and interdisciplinary teams are welcome—as long as your work involves some combination of making, prototyping, or scientific/technical thinking.

• How long is the EIR term?
  Typical terms are 3–12 months, with options to extend based on mutual fit and progress.

• How much is the Access EIR fee?
  Fees depend on access level and needs (e.g., heavy lab use vs light, individual vs team). In your application, you can indicate budget constraints, and we’ll follow up with specifics.

• Can my company send a small team instead of just one person?
  Yes. We can discuss team-based EIR structures, especially for out-of-state companies building a New Mexico presence.

Los Alamos sits at a rare crossroads of:

• World-class science and engineering (Los Alamos National Laboratory and regional research assets)

• A small, accessible community where people actually run into each other

• A scrappy, hands-on makerspace that lowers the barrier from idea to prototype

At Los Alamos Makers, EIRs can:

• Work on pre-company or pre-grant ideas without needing huge budgets

• Explore NMSBA, TRIGR and other LANL-connected programs with guidance

• Tap into a community of scientists, engineers, creatives, and makers who understand both lab work and real-world constraints

• Use a neutral, community-based space that complements—rather than competes with—LANL and universities

For out-of-state teams, Los Alamos Makers offers a soft landing zone: a practical way to “test-drive” a New Mexico presence, connect with local partners, and build trust before committing to larger moves.

Track A – In-Kind Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Perfect if:
You’re excited to share your expertise, mentor others, or build the local ecosystem while advancing your own project.

What you receive:

• Enhanced access to LAM facilities 

• Entrepreneurial support, when appropriate

• Priority for showcasing your work at events and demo nights

• “Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Los Alamos Makers” designation

What you contribute (typical range: 4–12 hours/month):

Choose one or more contribution modes:

• Teach or host: workshops, demos, or technical clinics

• Mentor: coach early-stage founders, students, or community members

• Develop: help with community projects, open tools, or internal prototypes

• Advise: serve on informal advisory circles for LAM programs

• Connect: help bridge to LANL, universities, or industry where appropriate

The exact mix is flexible and tailored to your strengths.

Track B – Access EIR

(Low-Cost, No Service Required)

Perfect if:
You want the support and environment but can’t commit time to in-kind work right now.

What you receive:

• Access to Los Alamos Makers (as defined by the EIR access tier)

• Entrepreneurial support, if needed 

• Invites to select EIR-only roundtables and feedback sessions (optional)

• Visibility opportunities when you’re ready to share your work

What you provide:

• A small, predictable monthly or quarterly fee that helps sustain the program.

  • Sliding-scale and scholarship options may be available for:

    • early-stage founders

    • students and postdocs

    • underrepresented founders in STEM and creative tech

No teaching or service commitments are required in this track—just your engagement with your project.

• No fixed cohort or rigid curriculum – your project, your timeline

• Built for scientists and makers – we understand lab work, hardware, and prototypes

• LANL-adjacent, not LANL-dependent – use the proximity to LANL when it helps, but you’re not locked into institutional rules

• Flexible commitment – contribute time (in-kind) or pay a small access fee

• Community-first – surrounded by people who tinker, experiment, and build

• The LANL Adjacent Scientist
  A researcher wants to explore an application of their expertise that doesn’t fit easily inside their current position. They use LAM to prototype, test, and build a team outside institutional constraints.

• The Out-of-State Deep-Tech Founder
  A company from another state is exploring partnerships with LANL and New Mexico programs. They use LAM as a temporary “base” for visits, prototyping, and building local collaborations.

• The Creative Hardware/Software Maker
  A creative-tech founder uses LAM tools to build interactive prototypes, runs a few community workshops, and gets advice on packaging their work as a product or service.

• Ready to explore becoming an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Los Alamos Makers?

• Apply now

• Ask a question