Firescape AI uses artificial intelligence to help electric utilities predict the paths of wildfires and protect the communities they serve from related power outages. The company will spend the next two years collaborating with the Laboratory to perfect this technology. Courtesy photo

LANL News:

The New Mexico Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (NM LEEP) has selected its fifth cohort of deep-tech innovators. Beginning in January 2026, three new startups will collaborate with Laboratory experts to perfect new national security innovations in AI for wildfire mitigation, quantum radar antennae, and drones that detect helpful and harmful insects in crops.

“From protecting critical infrastructure from wildfire 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.”

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. The innovators will collaborate closely with Laboratory experts to refine their prototypes, validate their technologies and build strategies for market entry.

The entrepreneurs are:

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

In addition, NM LEEP celebrates its returning fellows entering their second year. They are: 

• Luis Chavez, Tollan Materials, a Los Alamos spinout, enabling domestic heavy rare earth elements recovery from overlooked U.S. waste streams.
• Kyle Guin, VastVision — A Sandia National Laboratories spinout developing an advanced inventory-tracking system that can not only chronicle where products are stored, but incorporates sensors that survey the products’ shelf lives, emissions and battery life. 

Since its launch in 2021, NM LEEP has supported 10 deep-tech startups and innovators who have gone on to raise $36 million to advance their products’ development, establish strategic partnerships and create high-quality jobs throughout New Mexico.

Applications for Cohort 6 are open now and close May 8.