Apply to Luminate

We’re looking for cohort 9!

If you’re working to solve industry challenges with technology that uses optics, photonics, or imaging, Luminate can help you improve your investability and scale.

APPLY

Applications close January 30, 2026.

$3M

invested each year

$1M

to Company of the Year

6 months

of programming

Why apply?

As a member of Luminate, you get:

  • $100K at program start, and a chance to receive $1 million in follow-on funding at the end of the program
  • Opportunities to pitch to 30+ investors, including Samsung, Sony, Corning, J&J, and Launchpad Ventures Boston
  • Mentorship from our world-class advisory board
  • Access to PitchBook, Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB, and SiliconExpert
  • Access to the New York Photonics cluster and its 160+ OPI companies
  • Connections to skilled talent, optical assembly and manufacturing facilities, state and federal research facilities, and other resources to grow your business
  • Weekly instruction on business topics from sales and marketing to IP protection and finance

The most positive surprise about working with Luminate is how well connected they are to decision makers in the industry, and how much funding potential Luminate offers its startups through introductions to investors.”

Alexander Igelmann, CEO, Lidrotec (cohort 5)

Check out an info session

Review recordings of our virtual info sessions to explore all the ways Luminate can advance your technology and business.

Explore info sessions
MEETOPTICS pitching
City of Rochester scene

Qualifications

To qualify for Luminate’s cohort-based program:

  • Your company must be incorporated.
  • You must have proven your optics, photonics, or imaging enabled technology at least at the lab scale.
  • You must have a team of at least two members working on the business full-time.
  • You must have C-level team members able to travel to Rochester to participate in the hybrid-remote* program.

*Cohort members are expected to participate in-person for one week per month throughout the course of the program for meetings in Rochester, NY and/or investor pitches. (Prior cohorts have pitched in NYC, Boston, San Francisco, etc.)

Questions? Contact Luminate’s Director of Operations, Veronica LoCurcio.

APPLY