Gallox Semiconductors, led by Jonathan McCandless, Ph.D. ’23, has been selected for the fourth cohort of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows, a group of entrepreneurs focusing on technology that reduce greenhouse gases. The startup will develop gallium oxide-based electronic components with enormous potential to reduce energy losses from inefficiencies in electrical power conversion.

Power conversion semiconductors are embedded in all the electrical systems that we use every day – from our washing machines, cell phones, laptops and refrigerators to the industrial machines that sterilize our drinking water and package our food products. Gallox Semiconductors' products will reduce the size, weight and power required by these devices and move our planet a step closer to net-zero carbon emissions.

The Breakthrough Energy Fellows are a part of Breakthrough Energy’s Discovery platform that provides technical support, funding and business resources to the innovators working in industries that have been difficult to decarbonize. This hands-on support allows the fellows to bring their climate technology to market faster and bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.

“In the early stages of a startup, gaining feedback on ideas and direction is critical,” McCandless said. “The Breakthrough Energy Fellows program is one of the most respected supporters of early-stage climate tech startups. Being part of this program has already brought valuable attention and early validation to our work and ideas. Also, the Fellowship provides us with access to a network of experts, resources and mentorship, which will be instrumental in accelerating our progress.”

McCandless is currently an Ignite Fellow under the Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program managed by the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL). With Ignite funding and program support and under the guidance of Robert Scharf, director of the Praxis Center for Venture Development, and professor Debdeep Jena, the faculty inventor and Gallox’s co-founder, McCandless developed the technology and startup over the past 15 months. He is set to graduate from the Ignite program at the end of October as Gallox transitions to independent operations with funding from Breakthrough Energy and other sources.

“Reaching a net-zero ecosystem requires continuous innovation and radical new ideas,” Scharf said. “Selection by the Breakthrough Energy Fellows confirms that new ideas from the Ignite Fellows for New Ventures program are highly respected in the outside world.”

Together with other Ignite Fellows, Jon has undergone onboarding trainings including sessions offered by CTL, Center for Regional Economic Advancement, Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA) and a number of external law firms and business experts. McCandless has also participated in the SC Johnson College of Business' Green Technology Innovation Fellows and the ARPA-E hybrid I-Corps regional course organized by the Cornell-led Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub.

“Jon is among the first to graduate from the second cohort of Ignite Fellows,” said Alice Li, executive director of CTL. “The success underscores this new program’s value in nurturing entrepreneur scientists, creating technology startups and advancing technology commercialization.”

Read the full press release here.