R&D ATELIER

Independent R&D support for sustainability-focused deep-tech companies — from materials & chemistry through bench and pilot.

What you need · What I deliver
A new process, reactor, or lab capability to build out.
Hands-on development, from spec through commissioning.
A specific R&D question answered.
Scoped technical study, with a defined deliverable.
Outside judgment before a major technical decision.
Independent assessment, written or verbal.
An R&D roadmap to defend to investors or board.
Stage-gated plan, with TEA and risk assessment.
Senior R&D leadership without a full-time hire.
Fractional engagement, embedded in the team.
Technical diligence on a partner, target, or deal.
Diligence memo covering process maturity, scale-up risk, IP.
Non-dilutive funding or technical writing.
End-to-end work on grants, white papers, or technical narratives.
Materials characterization for a specific question.
XRD, SEM, and related analysis with scientific interpretation.
Who you are
Early-stage
A founder or CSO at a pre-seed or seed-stage deep-tech company, with R&D questions outpacing the team.
Growth-stage
An R&D leader at a Series A+ company with a bounded technical question, a defined body of work, or a process- or product-development decision.
Investor or acquirer
A fund or strategic acquirer in need of independent technical diligence on a chemistry- or materials-led business.
Engagement formats
Sprint 4–8 weeks · Fixed scope · Fixed fee
Defined engagement on a specific question or body of work. Scope, deliverables, and fee agreed in advance.
Fractional R&D leadership Monthly · Ongoing · Retainer
Standing time per month, defined responsibilities, direct involvement in R&D direction.
Grant strategy & writing 6–12 weeks · Per program
Strategy, technical narrative, budget, partnership architecture, and the writing itself.
Background

Yale PhD and MPhil in green chemistry (Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering); McGill MSc in catalysis. R&D leadership across three deep-tech companies. Named inventor on four patents, seven peer-reviewed publications, $5.7M in DOE non-dilutive funding secured or co-authored.

Heirloom Calcify Noya · YC W21 Yale L'Oréal
Contact
Email laurene@rdatelier.co LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/laurenepetitjean