Getting technology out of the lab and into society's hands is a tremendous and exciting challenge for any scientist or researcher. Most labs and universities have some type of incubator group to help the process along, and at the University of California at Davis, they even put a green spin on the process: the Center for Entrepreneurship just announced they are taking applications for this summer’s second annual Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy.

The Center for Entrepreneurship is sponsoring a five-day workshop, geared toward doctoral students, post-docs and research faculty in science and engineering that will cover technology validation, market and financial strategies and communication skills. Faculty, investors, and industry executives will be on hand to help students and researchers understand a technology's journey from lab to market.

The program runs July 7 - July 11 at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in Incline Village, Nevada. The Kauffman Foundation is the founding sponsor of this year’s program, followed by other sponsors that include Superfund Basic Research Program, the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy and Pacific Gas and Electric Co., among others.

Now that environmental technologies are gaining a stronger foothold in the private sector, it's especially important that the next generation of scientists and researchers understand the dynamics and realities of the free market. And here's hoping that the next round of tech millionaires come from the green sector.