Circular Venture Lab and the U.S. DOE

Logan Jenkins (Center), Ashley Cooper (Left) and Rachael Esh (Right) ran the Circular Wyoming nonprofit programs from 2021-2023.

While still maintaining a presence in Sheridan, Wyoming, Circular Wyo is now the Circular Venture Lab. They serve entrepreneurs in the circular economy nationally from their new home in Evansville, Indiana.

The Circular Venture Lab showcases unique solutions to global problems using a variety of creative resources and processes. Their projects focus on the circular economy, new community narratives, and the nexus of energy and breakthrough technology.

Since 2020, Circular Venture Lab’s Executive Director, Logan Jenkins, has served the Rocky Mountain region as a Connector in the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Program through a Wyoming firm, The WY Ranch. The Circular Venture Lab will now serve the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Tennessee (and others) in the program. They will connect our nation’s entrepreneurs and researchers to the US Department of Energy national labs and the private sector.

The American-Made Network is made possible by funding from the US Department of Energy and the administration of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $150,000,000 to over 300 startup teams throughout the US.

Jenkins states, “Evansville, IN is the perfect place for us to expand our reach in the Midwest and throughout the US. We have two exceptional Universities here, three top-tier research institutions in the state and close proximity to St. Louis, Nashville, Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. I believe we have an opportunity to really grow the region’s entrepreneurial and research ecosystem.”

He continues, “We’ve already met with several regional stakeholders and entrepreneurs and have been welcomed to the region. We’ve already launched several successful companies out of Wyoming, we’re really looking to go full-steam in Indiana and surrounding states.”

Check out the American-Made Network through their website.