Advances New York's Leadership in Innovation by Accelerating Growth and Commercialization Statewide

Round 5 Applications Now Open; More Information Here

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced more than $3 million in grants have been awarded to 28 New York-based small businesses through Round 4 of the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) Innovation Matching Grants program. The initiative, launched in May 2024, is part of NYSTAR's ongoing effort to support the growth of small businesses and the development of cutting-edge technologies in New York State. Additionally, ESD announced that Round 5 of the program is now open to qualifying small businesses. To date, NYSTAR has received more than 200 applications, totaling nearly $11 million for 88 businesses.

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York continues to make strategic investments that nurture and grow the innovation economy all throughout the state. By leveraging state funding with federal research grants, we are helping New York's small businesses move from concept to commercialization quicker, creating companies, jobs and new industries."

The Round 4 awardees represent several strategic technology areas, including additive and manufacturing technologies, artificial intelligence, energy storage and battery technologies, and life sciences and biotechnology.

Round 4 awardees are:

Capital Region

• DirectSeq Biosciences, Inc. - Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Research and Development in Biotechnology

Central NY

• Lighthouse Avionics Inc - Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) / Drones, Sensors | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• ResilienX, Inc. - Artificial Intelligence, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) / Drones | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Triton Bio, Inc - Food or Agriculture Technology, Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors | Scientific Research

Finger Lakes

• Gallox Semiconductors Inc. - Materials, Semiconductors / Nanotechnology / Nanoelectronics | Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing
• MiTeGen, LLC - Food or Agriculture Technology, Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing

Long Island

• Millennial Materials and Devices Inc. (dba Millennial Scientific) - Additive / Manufacturing Technologies, Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Materials | Testing Laboratories

Mid-Hudson

• SurgiVance, Inc. - Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence | Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing

New York City

• Abstractive Health - Artificial Intelligence | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Advanced Engineering Solutions LLC - Artificial Intelligence, Sensors, Energy Systems, Renewables / Clean / Green Technologies | Computer Systems Design Services
• AI-Sole, Inc. - Wearable Devices, Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Sensors | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Antelope Surgical Solutions Inc - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing
• Astrabeam LLC - Semiconductors / Nanotechnology / Nanoelectronics, Space Technology, Communications | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• BioWraptor, Inc - Additive / Manufacturing Technologies, Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Renewables / Clean / Green Technologies | Scientific Research
• Brekland Incorporated - Food or Agriculture Technology, Materials | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• CaroRhythm, Inc. - Wearable Devices, Sensors | Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing
• Cognitive Signals Inc. - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing
• Foli Bio Inc. - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Scientific Research
• Killer Snails LLC - Gaming, Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality | All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
• NomoCan Pharmaceuticals, LLC - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Scientific Research
• Proactive Life Inc (dba SleepSpace) - Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors | Scientific R&D Services
• Tastee Tape - Materials | R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Uncaged Innovations - Materials | Scientific Research

North Country

• Potsdam Sensors LLC (fully owned by TelosAir Corp) - Sensors, Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing

Southern Tier

• IVSonance Biomedical Inc. - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing
• REEgen INC - Life Sciences / Biotechnology, Renewables / Clean / Green Technologies | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Western NY

• Empath Medical Innovations (EMI), Inc - Life Sciences / Biotechnology | All Other Miscellaneous Ambulatory Health Care Services
• EMPRIME THERAPEUTICS INC - Cell or Gene Therapy, Life Sciences / Biotechnology | Biological Product Manufacturing

NYSTAR Executive Director Ben Verschueren said, "The Innovation Matching Grants program bridges the gap between R&D and commercialization - the hardest step for many early-stage technology companies. This state investment gives entrepreneurs the resources to protect and market their intellectual property, attract investors and move their promising projects into everyday use."

Through the Innovation Matching Grants Program, companies that receive funding from the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are eligible for up to $200,000 in matching grants from NYSTAR. The program ensures that SBIR- and STTR-supported projects in New York State receive additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance. Awards are conditioned on the successful SBIR/STTR federal award and negotiation and execution of a Grant Disbursement Agreement.

NYSTAR's Innovation Matching Grants program is one of several ways that New York State supports early-stage technology development and accelerates the path from research to market. These efforts directly contribute to business growth, job creation, and stronger regional economies statewide. NYSTAR's various resources - including Innovation Matching Grants, Centers of Advanced Technology, Centers of Excellence, Certified Business Incubators, Innovation Hot Spots and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers - generate nearly $3 billion in economic impact, while creating or retaining almost 10,000 jobs, annually in New York State.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

About ESD's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR)

Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation - known as NYSTAR - advances technology innovation and commercialization in New York State. NYSTAR offers programs that assist companies from start-up through maturity, leveraging the state's unparalleled investment in world-class technology assets and expertise. It provides about $70 million annually in funding to support over 80 centers that provide direct assistance to New York State companies - a network of vital assets for enabling technology - and manufacturing-led growth and job creation. NYSTAR and its partners are proud to contribute to New York's leadership in the global innovation economy. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov/nystar.

Contact:

ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313