Alder develops technology that converts abundant, domestic biomass into biocrude oils compatible with today’s refining infrastructure. They enable existing refineries to produce advanced fuels, chemicals, and carbon materials.
Visit AlderThe Shell GameChanger Accelerator™ Powered by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (GCxN) is focused on discovering and advancing emerging and innovative technologies with the potential to power the future energy landscape.
“GCxN lets us pair Shell’s industry expertise with NLR’s research environment. Together, we’ve created a model that genuinely speeds up the commercialization journey from idea to deployment.” – Selda Gunsel, Chief Technology Officer, Shell
About GCxN
Advancing Solutions to Energize the Future
GCxN provides promising energy startups with access to financial resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and world-class technical experts. Focused on identifying and advancing the next generation of transformative energy technologies, GCxN partners early-stage companies with the resources, expertise, and facilities available through the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) and Shell’s incubator program, Shell GameChanger, to reduce technology development risk and accelerate tech to market.
Impact at a Glance
Since 2018, GCxN has supported 30 startups with measurable results. Explore more in the 2025 GCxN Year in Review.
Raised $1.04+ Billion by cohort companies
Achieved a $140/$1 Leverage Ratio for Shell’s GCxN project investments
Increased Average Level of 4 to 6+ in Technology Readiness
Stay in Touch
Stay up-to-date on the latest GCxN news and program updates through the NLR Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center quarterly newsletter.
Our Current Cohort
GCxN’s Cohort 8 launched in October 2026 with a focus on new technologies in the areas of lignin valorization and advanced gasoline.
Bloom transforms plant biomass into high-performance ingredients by preserving and enhancing the functionality nature has already created. By converting fractions of wood residues, they develop ingredients used to make personal care items, paper, paints, and other products.
Visit Bloom“We are proud to work with NLR to introduce this new cohort that reflects our commitment to scaling technologies that transform waste into valuable fuels, materials, and products.” – Yesim Jonsson, Shell’s GCxN Program Manager
Latest News
Cohort News
October 30, 2026
How 2 Startups Are Turning Plant Waste Into Products Plant waste, like paper pulp and sawmill dust, can be converted into goods, like sunscreen, paints, and even fuel for planes and ships. But plant waste is also stubborn—it is complex (and often expensive) to break down, and industries typically need to build a new facility (also at great cost) to… Read More
Cohort News, Company Profiles
April 29, 2026
How a Startup, Farmers, and a National Laboratory Are Growing a More Durable, Recyclable Epoxy for Snowboards, Energy Infrastructure, and More Read original article on NLR.gov. It all started with the farmers. “We wanted to build something that could enhance crop value,” said Jason Puracal, CEO of the materials startup Zila BioWorks. So, they did. They built a new kind… Read More
GCxN Publications
March 25, 2026
A Note From GCxN’s Program Managers: Reflecting on the past year for the Shell GameChanger Accelerator™ Powered by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (GCxN), it became clear that 2024 was a year for planning and 2025 was a year for doing. What were ideas 12 months ago are now realities—and we’re excited to share those in this Year in… Read More