The Lens - November 2024

Laser focused

The University of Rochester’s STELLAR engine project has been named one of five New York initiatives advancing in the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Engines program. As recently announced by Senator Chuck Schumer, STELLAR now joins a select group with the chance to compete for up to $160M in federal investment under the CHIPS & Science Law. The project has already received a $1M NSF Regional Innovation Engines grant to build a laser and optics technology ecosystem in the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region.

A collaboration between key institutions — including the U of R’s Institute of Optics, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Monroe Community College, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Luminate, and Greater Rochester Enterprise — STELLAR’s co-leaders include Luminate’s Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, and Luminate advisory board member, Dr. Thomas Brown. The project aims to expand career and training opportunities in optics and photonics for a diverse talent pool, including underserved and rural communities, and to reinforce Rochester’s role as a center for innovation in these fields.

(Article image courtesy of the University of Rochester / J. Adam Fenster)

Applications Open for Cohort 8

Each year, our portfolio grows larger, stronger, and more diverse. Will you be part of the next wave of innovators to better your business and perfect your tech with us? Luminate awards $3M in funding annually to companies developing emerging solutions in almost every industry, from anywhere in the world, and participation is primarily remote. Apply by January 10.

Not sure how Luminate could help your company? Join an info session to hear from Luminate staff and graduates.

Apply to Luminate cohort 8

Labby’s MilKey Earning National Recognition

Labby's MilKey milk-testing technologyLabby, a Luminate cohort 6 company, has advanced to the Final Four in the prestigious 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This competition, now in its 11th year, champions rural entrepreneurship in agriculture, spotlighting innovations that support farmers and ranchers nationwide. Labby, the only finalist representing New York, will compete live for the $100K grand prize at the AFBF Convention on January 26.

The honor follows a string of milestones for Labby — including a win at TechRochester’s GREAT Awards, a Phase II SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation, exciting media coverage, and substantial team growth. Now Labby is gearing up to install its MilKey device for rapid, affordable milk testing on multiple farms across the country.

Read more about Labby on the Luminate blog.

Power Your Battery Startup: ChargeUp Applications Open

ChargeUp applications open

New Energy New York’s (NENY) accelerator program ChargeUp has opened applications for its second cohort! If your startup is working on battery innovation anywhere across the value chain, this opportunity could help change the trajectory of your business. The hybrid program, which runs from April through October 2025, provides expert-driven, industry-specific curriculum, and connections to vast resources within a federally designated Battery Tech Hub to advance your technology development, business, and investor readiness.

ChargeUp participants will receive $25K to use throughout the program, as well as follow-on investment opportunities, including up to $100K for technical development. Join a virtual info session to learn more:

The ChargeUp program is based on the methodology and curriculum of Luminate and the NextCorps Manufacturing Accelerator. It is being offered through funding provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Award ITE-2334103. Apply by 11:59 PM EST on January 15.

Portfolio Wins

Bounce Imaging was named to TIME’s Best Inventions of 2024 list for its recently launched Pit Viper 360, a throwable, softball-sized thermal imaging camera designed for hazardous situations — from hostage scenarios to natural disaster aftermaths.

Circle Optics showcased its high-fidelity, real-time panoramic imaging technology at CEATEC 2024 in Tokyo, marking an exciting step in Circle’s expansion into the Japanese market. Circle also earned recognition closer to home by winning the Outstanding Tech Team Award at TechRochester’s GREAT Awards.

cureVision received the Innovation Prize at Bavaria 2024 for its solutions in wound analysis. This esteemed award is granted every two years to innovations rigorously vetted by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA).

Dynocardia received a $500K grant from NIH’s Commercial Readiness Pilot Program to advance the commercialization of ViTrack®, its continuous, non-invasive blood pressure (cNIBP) technology.

EmGenisys was a finalist in the Nutrition and Health category of the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge and presented at the THRIVE Global Impact Summit earlier this month. Get the highlights in this summit recap from Farm to Future.

Oculi has launched an Early Access Evaluation Program to introduce innovators to its Magenta and Burgundy platforms — part of the world’s first Software-Defined Vision Sensor™ lineup optimized for AI applications. This initiative allows developers to integrate the OCULI SPU™ into their AI solutions. Utilizing “IntelliPixel” technology, the OCULI SPU enables pixel-level intelligence, ensuring privacy by outputting only relevant data for machine learning algorithms.

Quantune Technologies snagged coverage in TechCrunch for progress made in the quest for non-invasive glucose monitoring. Unlike with traditional bulky systems, Quantune aims to embed its technology into a wearable and is currently working to further shrink its device. Quantune was also recently named Berlin’s State Winner at the KfW Award ceremony. Vote for them in the KfW Audience Choice Award, open until November 29, 2024.

See You at Photonics West!

Members of the Luminate team and several of our portfolio companies will be in San Francisco for SPIE Photonics West from January 25-30. Stop by booth #154 in the NY Corridor to say hello!

Some of the companies tabling with us include:

See You Next Month!

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