Most scientific inventions don’t leave the lab. This VC firm is changing that

5050, a free program turning scientists and engineers into founders, has helped launch 100 startups. While working as an engineer at Tesla, Niccolo Cymbalist never planned to start a business. But he’d been considering an idea for new technology—an autonomous, wind-powered cargo ship. Then, while on paternity leave in 2024, he discovered a free program that helps scientists and engineers launch businesses for the first time.