NM LEEP Cohort 5 pictured at the NM LEEP Finals Event in September 2025 are, from left, Holly Eagleston, Stephen Buchanan, and Sonia Dagan. Photo Courtesy LANL

LANL NEWS RELEASE

The New Mexico Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (NM LEEP) has selected its fifth cohort of deep-tech innovators. The two-year fellowship, based at Los Alamos National Laboratory, supports entrepreneurs working to accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies that address the nation’s most urgent energy, security, and economic challenges.

This year’s application cycle was one of the most competitive yet. Applicants from across New Mexico and beyond submitted proposals spanning national security, artificial intelligence, energy resilience, space systems and advanced biotech. After a rigorous review process, three fellows were selected for Cohort 5, each bringing forward novel solutions with the potential for high national impact.

Los Alamos welcomes 3 new entrepreneurs developing technologies based on AI and quantum into Cohort 5 that starts in January 2025. These innovators will collaborate closely with LANL scientists to refine their prototypes, validate their technologies, and build strategies for market entry.

“From protecting critical infrastructure to advancing quantum detection capabilities, Cohort 5’s technologies directly support our national security mission, said Molly Cernicek, Program Manager for NM LEEP. We look forward to helping them advance these technologies where they are needed most.”

Cohort 5 Fellows

Holly Eagleston, Firescape AI — An all-in-one wildfire risk platform for electric utilities—combining daily situational awareness with long-term mitigation planning.

“NM LEEP represents an incredible opportunity to leverage physics-based wildfire simulation technology from Los Alamos Labs and bring it into the energy industry to enhance grid resiliency,” said Eagleston.

Stephen Buchanan, Bandelier Technologies — Redefining long-range quantum sensing with a platform that moves the field from lab-scale experiments to real-world deployment to provide quiet, accurate sensing for defense, space, and secure communication systems.

“NM LEEP gives startups like Bandelier an invaluable advantage—the chance to grow the company while staying closely connected to the labs and the inventors behind the technology. The folks involved with LEEP have already been a tremendous help to Bandelier, offering support, guidance, and access that are accelerating our development at Bandelier,” said Buchanan.

Sonia Dagan, Atolla Tech — Developing AI-powered drone threat detection and classification for defense and critical infrastructure, delivering fast, reliable identification in environments where traditional sensors struggle.

“Developing an early work plan with LANL scientists has already shown the depth of technical support NM LEEP provides. I’m excited for a collaboration that will accelerate Atolla Tech’s technology to TRL-6 and help demonstrate its value in safeguarding critical infrastructure from emerging drone threats,” said Dagan.

In addition, NM LEEP celebrates its returning fellows entering their second year, who will continue refining their technologies and business strategies as they move toward market
launch.

● Kyle Guin, VastVision, a Sandia spinout physical infrastructure into intelligent, real-time sensing networks

● Luis Chavez, Tollan Materials , a Los Alamos spinout, enabling domestic heavy rare earth elements recovery from overlooked U.S. waste streams.

Since its launch in 2021, NM LEEP has supported 10 startups and innovators who have raised $36 million to advance product development , establish strategic partnerships, and create high- quality jobs throughout New Mexico.

Important Note for Applicants: The new application for Cohort 6 will open in February 2026. Follow us on LinkedIn at “New Mexico Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program” to stay up to date with program announcements and application deadlines.

About NM LEEP
The New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (NM LEEP) is a two-year fellowship program that pairs deep tech entrepreneurs with the unique talent and technology of Los Alamos National Laboratory. Fellows are matched with seed capital, a large network of mentors, customers, and investors in this distinctive program. Targeted areas include advanced computing and AI, advanced materials, space systems, clean energy transition, and
biotechnology.