Less than three weeks until Luminate Finals 2025, our biggest event of the year and the culmination of cohort 8. This group of startups came to us from around the world and spent the past seven months advancing their innovations, refining go-to-market strategies, strengthening pitches, and building partnerships to fuel their success. Now it’s time to celebrate—and see which teams take home a piece of $2 million!
Get a first look at what’s set to take the stage on October 22 at Arbor Midtown:
The investments are decided by a panel of judges, but the $10K Audience Choice Award is up to YOU! Which startup will secure your vote?
- amPICQ — Tackling vulnerabilities in global data security and infrastructure
- Ciconia Medical — Revolutionizing labor monitoring with AI-powered cervical measurement
- Dottir Labs — Transforming chemical monitoring with real-time, field-ready compact sensors
- IRIDESENSE — Enabling long-range, high-resolution scene analysis in 3D and color
- LirOptic — Offering optical innovators unparalleled compactness, precision, and reliability
- Metahelios — Simplifying camera chip manufacturing and enhancing image quality
- Oblate Optics — Reimagining laser systems with AI-driven, ultra-thin precision optics
- Pensievision — Redefining what’s possible in diagnostics and detection with breakthrough 3D imaging
- Pixel Photonics — Unlocking scalable, high-performance single-photon detection
- SNOChip — Pioneering optical systems with scalable on-chip components
- VanaM — Bridging innovation and production with precision thin-film deposition
- Wyse Light — Delivering nanometric precision in reflective surface metrology
Register now to experience the future of light-based innovation–in person or online–and to hear where prior Luminate winners are now!
STELLAR named Innovation Engine finalist
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has named the STELLAR Engine a finalist in its Regional Innovation Engines competition. Led by the University of Rochester and powered by partners including Luminate, NextCorps, Monroe Community College, and Greater Rochester Enterprise, the STELLAR Engine leverages the Finger Lakes region’s strengths in optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers to position Rochester as a hub for laser innovation, talent, and technologies. The project is one of only 15 initiatives selected nationwide from nearly 300 proposals.
Backed by a six-year, $16M commitment from New York State and $1.5M from industry partners, STELLAR aims to address national challenges by restoring U.S. leadership in laser technologies. Its mission includes strengthening the workforce pipeline, scaling research and manufacturing, restoring supply chains for critical components, and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation laser systems.
“The astonishing scientific advancements being made at Rochester are recognized across the world and are vital to building America’s future. This is an exciting moment for the Rochester/Finger Lakes region, and I will continue to fight to bring new federal investment to advance this cutting-edge work,” said Senator Chuck Schumer.
Building connections across New York
Earlier this month, cohort 8 hit the road for a whirlwind week of industry and investor connections. The journey stretched from Albany to New York City, with stops that deepened teams’ exposure to the state’s optics, photonics, and imaging ecosystem.
To kick things off, the startups presented their technologies at AIM Photonics’ Albany NanoTech Complex, fielding questions from industry experts and exploring how each startup’s technology addresses sector challenges. From there, the group traveled to Omega Optical in Hopewell Junction for a facility tour and hands-on demonstrations, followed by more presentations and conversations about potential collaborations. Along the way, the teams also visited Edmund Optics and Thorlabs, gaining a closer look at world-class facilities and forging ties with companies at the forefront of optical innovation.
The trip concluded in New York City with the annual Luminate Investor Summit, which drew nearly 80 investors and industry leaders. The event provided a platform for cohort 8 to pitch their technologies, strengthen relationships, and build momentum ahead of Luminate Finals.
Cohort 8 in the news
As the clock runs down to Finals 2025, the Rochester Business Journal has been profiling each of the teams. Read the featured articles to get to know the OPI innovators of cohort 8.
Ciconia Medical sets a new, safer standard in maternal and fetal care
Pensievision brings AI 3D imaging innovation to Rochester
Wyse Light unveils portable RayMaster10 for optics (pictured left)
Portfolio wins
Scout Space secured both a $1.25M AFWERX SBIR Phase II and a NASA SBIR Phase I to advance its autonomous space traffic management technologies. The company was also recognized as one of DCA Live’s Red Hot Companies, celebrating its rapid growth and expanding impact on the national security space.
VoxelSensors is collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies to optimize its Single Photon Active Event Sensor (SPAES™) technology with Snapdragon XR Platforms. The breakthrough enables 10x power savings and lower latency for extended reality (XR) applications, paving the way for smaller, more efficient AR devices and advancing the future of human-machine interaction.
cureVision announced a strategic investment and partnership with BioLab Holdings. The deal will support cureVision’s regulatory and reimbursement pathway in the U.S. and provide commercialization support through BioLab’s national distribution network. (Pictured left)
Qunnect deployed its Carina product suite at Montana State University, establishing the first quantum entanglement network in the Northwestern U.S. The company also joined a $25M initiative led by Roadrunner Venture Studios to build a quantum campus in Albuquerque, advancing U.S. leadership in quantum computing and communications.
2EyesVision showcased its SimVis Gekko during Congressman Joe Morelle’s visit to the University of Rochester. Pictured below: Morelle sporting the vision technology. (Pictured below)
SeeTrue Technologies was one of only two winners selected from more than 60 proposals in the EU’s XR2Industry Open Call. The funding will accelerate development of the company’s next-generation eye-tracking technology for XR headsets, enabling robust, low-latency gaze tracking for new immersive applications.
Wyse Light was featured in Photonics Media for its advances in reflective surface measurement. Founder Yves Surrel highlighted how the company’s technology makes even complex freeform optics easier to analyze, supporting next-generation imaging systems.
Photonect Interconnect Solution’s co-founder and CEO, Dr. Juniyali Nauriyal, was interviewed in Engineering.com about her journey from student to founder, her vision for the future of photonics, and her commitment to building a diverse and sustainable company.
Rubitection Inc. took home the first place prize at the SVB Hispanic Heritage Month Startup Pitch Competition in San Francisco, CA.
Upcoming opportunities
SPIE Startup Challenge 2026 at Photonics West
Applications due October 7, 2025
Luminate is proud to once again sponsor SPIE’s premier pitch competition. If you’re launching a startup in optics or photonics, the Startup Challenge offers cash prizes, expert feedback, and exposure to industry leaders and investors.
New Energy New York Battery Week 2025
October 13-17, 2025 | Binghamton, NY
Five days of hands-on STEM learning, deep dives into battery safety, R&D breakthroughs, and a startup pitch event. This week brings together innovators, educators, industry leaders, and community members from across New York State and beyond.