Global Solar Energy (GSE)—GSE was spun off and incorporated as a standalone operating company in 1996 for commercial production of thin-film, flexible Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) photovoltaics. Funding for GSE came from government sources and Tuscon Electric Power. ITN exited in 2003. Currently Global Solar is owned by Hanergy, a Chinese conglomerate.

Infinite Power Solutions (IPS)—IPS was spun off and incorporated as a standalone operating company in 2000 for commercial production of thin-film, flexible solid-state lithium batteries. IPS funding came from government and private investments, including Unisource Energy and Dow Corning. ITN exited in 2005. In 2013, Apple Inc. acquired and absorbed IPS.

Microsat Systems, Inc. (MSI)—MSI was spun off and incorporated as a standalone operating company in 2002 to produce low cost, small satellite systems for commercial and government customers. MSI funding came from government grants with ITN as prime contractor for the Air Force’s Technology Satellite of the 21st Century. MSI successfully launched the TACSAT2 in 2006 followed by several other satellites. MSI was acquired by Sierra Nevada Corporation in 2008.

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (ASTI)—AST (NASDAQ:ASTI) was spun off from ITN in 2005, and completed initial public offering on NASDAQ in 2006. AST manufactures commercial PV modules that use a highly efficient thin-film CIGS absorbing layer on a flexible high-temperature plastic substrate. Ascent has remained a publicly owned company since its IPO.