Bridging Academia and Entrepreneurship: The Journey of Renuka Hyderkhan in Clean Energy Innovation

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable technology, individuals who navigate the realms of academia and entrepreneurship are a source of inspiration. Renuka Hyderkhan, a postdoc who is spearheading the research and development for a clean energy startup emerging from Carnegie Mellon University, stands as a prime example of such an individual. More recently, Renuka was one of five Ph.D. students/postdocs chosen to participate in the CMU Innovation Commercialization Fellowship program (ICF) in Carnegie Mellon’s Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship, an accelerator that grooms select entrepreneurs at CMU.

A Voyage of Exploration and Discovery

Hailing from India, Renuka began her journey with a Ph.D. in electronics and electrical engineering at the Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani. Her research focused on renewable energy directed her towards the captivating realm of photovoltaics based on ferroelectric materials. With a record of publishing numerous papers and registering one indian patent, her journey took a new direction during her Postdoctoral role. She shifted her research trajectory to explore the field of 2D materials, driven by the rapid growth of this industry. 

Her journey towards an entrepreneurial role took a significant turn when her team at CMU made a groundbreaking discovery. They found that their material coatings had a remarkable impact on lithium-ion batteries, significantly improving critical parameters such as battery cycle life and  stability by an astonishing 17-fold. This patented invention  was one of only two technologies selected to receive funding from the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL)/Chevron Studio cohort 2 program in 2023 from a list of over 300 submissions from US national labs and universities. This program provided funds and matched the CMU team with an entrepreneur to investigate pathways towards commercializing this innovation, which has the potential to revolutionize the battery industry and greatly enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. 

Cleantech Entrepreneurship: A Passion Transformed into Reality

Renuka’s  driving force is her commitment to sustainability and the environment. Her motivation lies in creating tangible solutions that align with her values. The process of commercialization for her endeavor is intricately tied to the ICF program, an experience designed to cultivate entrepreneurship. It is within this program that she has the opportunity to engage with CEOs of various companies for customer discovery and scale-up, refine her product pitches, and gain valuable mentorship for the commercialization. It's within this program that Renuka found support that shaped her entrepreneurial vision.

From Postdoc to Startup: Navigating Dual Roles

Balancing the responsibilities of a postdoc at CMU with the leadership role of a burgeoning startup is no small feat. Renuka acknowledges that the transition from academia to entrepreneurship was a learning curve, but with her academic advisor's (Prof. Reeja Jayan, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering) guidance and support, she navigated this uncharted territory. Networking, previously an academic afterthought, now forms an essential part of her responsibilities.

Nurturing Future Cleantech Innovators

“Young aspirants must dive through various challenges in this journey and always keep the end goal in mind,” Renuka said. She added that aspirants have various resources such as GIST catalyst programs for women entrepreneurs, Cleantech startup accelerator, and many more to test the waters. It is also important to have significant industry collaboration and partnerships for growth and sustainability in this space.

Looking Ahead: A Vision for Clean Energy

As Renuka propels her commercialization effort toward success, there's a clear vision for the future. With a focus on addressing battery-related challenges, her team is investigating and organizing efforts for  scaling up their material.. Despite the hurdles that come with any entrepreneurial journey, Renuka, along with her team, are determined to secure additional funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) type grants, further solidifying the startup's place within the clean energy landscape. As the R&D head, she envisions a team that includes a diverse and multidisciplinary team of  materials and battery subject matter experts, all working collaboratively to amplify their  impact.

Renuka’s journey from academia to cleantech entrepreneurship is a testament to the possibilities that emerge when passion, innovation, and determination converge. Her role which is born out of Carnegie Mellon's entrepreneurship center serves as an inspiring example for those aspiring to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. With a commitment to sustainable solutions and an unyielding drive to make a difference, Renuka's story illuminates a path toward a greener future.