Sandia Labs scientists take time off for entrepreneurship

Losing an employee from Sandia National Laboratories is a victory – albeit bittersweet – for David Goldheim.

As director of corporate business development and partnerships for the labs, he’s happy to see scientists take advantage of the Entrepreneurial Separation to Transfer Technology program he oversees.

It gives researchers years off work at the labs to take a shot at turning their ideas into economy-bolstering businesses. That’s good for the country, he says, and part of the labs’ mission.

Since 1994, the Entrepreneurial Separation to Transfer Technology program at Sandia National Laboratories has allowed scientists to take years off to turn their research into commercial products. If the business fails to launch, scientists have up to three years to return to the labs without having to apply anew.

Out of 126 Sandia employees who have used the program, only 46 have returned to the labs.

But the gain comes with a cost.

"Typically the entrepreneurs are among Sandia’s most talented staff," Goldheim says. "It causes some pain to the Sandia organization for them to be leaving."

By Mike Tumolillo
Tribune Reporter

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