EDUCATION
Get Ample Training to Fast Forward Success
Luminate selects 10 promising companies to join its accelerator each year. This is the starting point into a comprehensive world of support. Here is just a glimpse into what our pool of subject matter experts provides:
- DfX: Design for Excellence
- Customer Discover
- Business Modeling
- Valuation
- IP Mapping
- Patent Law
- Employment Law
- International Tax Law
- NYS Manufacturing
- Supply Chain Management
- Exports
- Lead Generation
- Scalable Marketing
- Digital and Social Media Advertising
- Grant Writing
- Selling to Government
- Solution Selling
- Mindfulness
INVESTORS
Increase Opportunities for Funding
Unlike other accelerator programs, Luminate provides its cohorts with multiple opportunities to meet investors — from local fast-pitch events with angel investors, VCs, and leading OPI brands; to regional competitions and Demo Day events; to investors meetings in NYC, Boston, and other big cities. These experiences help startups perfect their pitch to secure funding. Don’t forget: Our startups also compete for up to $2 million in follow-on funding at graduation.
Cohort 2 Lightning Rounds for $100K
Cohort 3 Lightning Rounds for $100K
Cohort 1 Demo Day for $2M
Panel Discussion: Funding Opportunities
1:1 MENTORING
Work Alongside Experienced Advisors
Luminate mentors are renowned in the optics, photonics, and imaging community for their expertise and accomplishments. They’re also known for looking at things from different perspectives to quickly spot potential opportunities or flaws in planning and execution. This support keeps startups moving on the path to commercialization.



Cohort 2
Cohort 2 $500,000 winner
Cohort 2 $260,000 winner



LABS
Innovate Onsite in Equipped Labs
Luminate is located in NextCorps’ Sibley Square technology incubator. This facility includes a fully featured R&D optics lab, an electronics lab, a fabrication lab with 3D printers, and four wet labs. Our optical metrology technician is highly skilled (he’s the co-inventor of nine patents!) and ready to help teams further develop their technologies.
- Three optical tables (one with active vibration isolation)
- Microview video measuring microscope with X & Y digital readouts
- EFD 1500XL fluid dispenser
- B&L stereozoom microscope
- Zygo 4″ GPI phase shift interferometer and accessories
- Muller Wedel autocollimator
- Ocean Optics QEPro CCD cooled spectrometer (350-1100nm)
- IS Polar – polarization analyzer
- Lambda LP-530 power supply
- Textronix 2465 scope
- Textronix AFG310 function generator
- Rigol DP832 programmable power supply
- Rigol MSO2202A-S 200MHz, 2 analog Ch Oscilloscope plus signal source
- Fluke 88V automotive multimeter
- Aoyue 968A+ soldering and hot air rework station
- Hakko FM206 soldering and hot air rework station
- 2 Aoyue 328 PCB holder/working platforms
- Reflowster reflow oven controller and toaster oven
- Aoyue AO486 solder fume extractor
COLLABORATORS
Gain Access to a Vast Partner Network
Luminate collaborates with national and regional organizations to ensure startups have access to experts and resources when they need them.