FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Susan Bardack – 518.867.7940
Empire State Development-Supported Manufacturing Grants program awards $387,500 in grants to facilitate research and development, technical advancements, and process improvements for New York State manufacturers.
Watch the announcement here.
ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub, a not-for-profit organization providing small to medium-sized manufacturers with guided access to an extensive network of industry experts, programs, and resources to solve business growth challenges, is excited to announce the 6 collaborative project award recipients of grants through the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund.
The Innovation Fund, consisting of more than $1 million annually, serves as a pathway to technology transfer, adoption and implementation of new manufacturing processes, and the creation of enhanced products and services. It is made possible through funding and support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR).
As part of the Fund, FuzeHub offers Manufacturing Grants to New York State not-for-profit organizations, including higher education institutions, that propose innovative projects in partnership with a New York State small to medium-sized manufacturer or technology company. Project categories cover adoption of new technology to enhance a process and/or product, prototype development, design for manufacturing, proof-of-concept manufacturing, certain equipment purchases, manufacturing scale-up, and other projects to advance manufacturing capabilities.
In addition, the Innovation Fund is used to help early-stage companies through FuzeHub’s annual Commercialization Competition, which takes place in the fall.
“These recipients represent the ingenuity and entrepreneurship that make New York an exciting place to be for developing companies. Each awardee is doing work that can strengthen the foundation of our thriving manufacturing economy,” said Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). “With this funding, each can focus on innovating, expanding, and creating the types of job opportunities that power our state forward.”
“We are excited to support awardees whose inspired ideas and collaborative efforts embody some of the best of New York State’s innovative community. These grants represent more than funding–they’re a powerful investment in the partnerships and ingenuity that move breakthrough technologies from concept to real life. It’s inspiring to see what’s possible when people come together with the shared goal of building a better future,” said Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund Manager at FuzeHub.
FuzeHub is pleased to announce the grantees:
Cornell University, Cornell Center for Materials Research/ Esper Biosciences Inc (Southern Tier) $65,000
Manufacturing TEM grids for cryo-electron microscopy
Esper Biosciences has teamed up with Cornell University to develop a sample substrate for electron microscopy (EM) that promises high-resolution views of proteins—biology’s microscopic machines. To handle such tiny samples for imaging, an electron-transparent substrate called a TEM grid must be used. The TEM grids being developed will use ultra-thin water layers—30 atoms thick—as a highly transparent “glass slide” for electrons. Proteins dissolved in these layers can be cryogenically frozen at -320°F, and viewed with electrons, to yield exceptionally clear images of their atomic structure.
Clarkson University, NYS Center of Excellence for Healthy Water Solutions (CoE HWS)/ RemWell, LLC (North Country) $65,000
InSRT 3.0: Design for Manufacturing
This project will accelerate RemWell’s development of a third-generation, production-ready technology to destroy harmful PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals”—in contaminated groundwater. With support from FuzeHub and Clarkson University, RemWell will enhance its underground ultrasonic reactor, improve durability, and optimize the design for manufacturing. These advancements will enable large-scale deployment of the technology while creating new high-tech manufacturing jobs.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, CATS/ Ross Precision Manufacturing (Capital Region) $65,000
CHAMP – Casting Hearth Advanced Manufacturing with 3d Printing
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, and Ross Precision Manufacturing in Green Island, have teamed up to develop a new metal 3D printing technology to manufacture copper hearths used in making Titanium and other primary metals. With this new technology, Ross Precision Manufacturing will be able to create novel, high-performance products, giving them a leg up over the competition. This project builds on metal 3D printing technology that the Manufacturing Innovation Center at RPI has been developing and demonstrating over several years.
Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology (AMT) / Stan’s Performance Products LLC (Southern Tier) $62,500
Smart Production Tracking System with AI
AMT is partnering with Stan’s to bring AI-powered production tracking to their manufacturing process. This system will send real-time alerts, detect defects, predict maintenance needs, and provide a central dashboard to keep everything running smoothly. By reducing downtime and improving quality, Stan’s can produce more and expand into new markets. This project also lays the groundwork for future automation, making production faster and reducing waste. It sets an example for other manufacturers and could help businesses across New York State stay competitive and efficient.
Tech Valley Center of Gravity / Uncaged Innovations Inc (Capital Region/ Mid-Hudson) $65,000
Evolving sustainable leather alternatives into footwear industry
At UNCAGED Innovations has achieved what was once thought impossible—creating a sustainable, scalable, and premium bio-leather alternative without compromise. ELEVATE is the world’s first bio-leather made from grains at scale, harnessing structural proteins to build fibril networks that mimic animal collagen.
Sacred Arts Research Foundation / Flowering Sun Farm and Center LLC (Mid-Hudson) $65,000
Value-added mushroom products—Leveraging high-quality extraction processes
Flowering Sun Farm and Center is excited to announce their new venture into value-added products. Their emerging product department will be the first step in creating food, beverage, and supplement items that harness the power of high-tech extraction machinery to enhance the bioavailability of mushrooms. As interest in the benefits of medicinal mushrooms continues to grow, they are eager to make these natural remedies accessible to the public.
The 2025 Commercialization Competition finalists will pitch live at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center on October 29 & 30 during the NYS Innovation Summit. Those interested in attending this event can get more information at https://nysinnovationsummit.com/.
For more information about the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, visit www.fuzehub.com/innovation-fund/ or contact Patty Rechberger, innovation fund manager at [email protected].
About Jeff Lawrence
During his more than 20 years at the Center for Economic Growth, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate in the Capital Region where he served as executive vice president and MEP Center Director, Jeff Lawrence directed programs of direct assistance to manufacturers and technology companies to increase their competitiveness. He is remembered for being an invaluable and generous mentor to many in the area’s business community and a tireless advocate for manufacturing innovation throughout New York.
About FuzeHub
FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York’s small to medium-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York’s robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partners centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation. For more information on FuzeHub, visit www.fuzehub.com.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.