Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) today announced that 35 businesses have been awarded $4,637,226.00 in Round 1 & 2 of its new Innovation Matching Grants program.*
The initiative, launched in May 2024, is part of NYSTAR’s ongoing efforts to support the growth of small businesses and the development of cutting-edge technologies in New York State. NYSTAR received more than 35 applications within 1 week of opening its first round of funding.
The awarded projects span 18 strategic technology areas, including Additive/Manufacturing Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Energy Storage/Battery Technologies, Lifesciences/Biotechnology etc. Companies that received funding from the federal government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs were eligible for NYSTAR matching grants up to $200,000.
The Innovation Matching Grants program ensures that SBIR- and STTR-supported projects in New York receive additional support for commercialization services not covered by their federal awards, such as marketing and legal assistance.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York is the heart of innovation, and these grants provide the support that empowers our state’s small business entrepreneurs in high-growth industries to turn their potential into real technological and economic progress.”
NYSTAR’s initiative highlights its commitment to supporting early-stage technology development and accelerating the path from research to market, which has contributed to business growth, job creation and stronger regional economies across New York.
“The response when we opened our first round of funding was truly incredible,” said Ben Verschueren, Executive Director of NYSTAR. “It underscores the reality that innovation is more than research and development — small businesses also need funding to protect their intellectual property, gain awareness about their innovations, and a long list of other critical steps on the route to commercialization. The Innovation Matching Grants program will make a difference not only for these projects but for all New Yorkers through the resulting economic impacts.”
Receiving NYSTAR Innovation Matching Grants are:
- Aincobio LLC – Central NY
- Alpha-En Corporation – Mid-Hudson
- Carbon To Stone, Inc – Finger Lakes
- DataCicda LLC – Finger Lakes
- Graphenix Development, Inc – Western NY
- IAMBIC, Inc – New York City
- IBEX Materials, Inc – Western NY
- Nearabl, Inc – New York City
- Photonect Interconnect Solutions, Inc – New York City
- sxRNA Technologies, Inc – Capital Region
- Tezcat Biosciences, Inc – New York City
- Xallent, Inc – Capital Region
- Zetagen Therapeutics, Inc – Central NY
- Addinex Technologies, Inc – New York City
- Anew Material – New York City
- Atrevida Science, Inc – Western NY
- Chimerna Therapeutics – New York City
- Circadian OS – New York City
- ESM Global Productions, LLC – New York City
- Immunotolerx Therapeutics, LLC – Western NY
- KLAW Industries – Southern Tier
- Labby – Finger Lakes
- LiBama Power – Southern Tier
- LighTopTech Corp – Finger Lakes
- Lucerna, Inc – New York City
- Mahattan BioSolutions, Inc – New York City
- Mission Power Corp – North Country
- Nephrogen Inc- New York City
- Pharmacoustics Technologies, LLC – North Country
- Retrn Bioworks, Inc – Finger Lakes
- SunThru, LLC – Capital Region
- SUPERClean Glass, Inc – Long Island
- UbiquiTx, Inc – New York City
- Vyir, Inc – New York City
- Xylyx Bio, Inc – New York City
*Awards are conditioned on the successful negotiation and execution of a Grant Disbursement Agreement.
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.
