By Patty Rechberger
Innovation Fund Manager, FuzeHub
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund
The Jeff Lawrence FuzeHub Innovation Fund was launched in 2016 with the first round of Manufacturing Grants. Since then, we have awarded $11.4M to over 200 projects in 3 unique tracks (including the Commercialization Competition and Innovation Challenge) to support everything from a safer step-stool to more accurate cancer diagnostics; from brand-new, just-got-their-corporate-certificate cleantech company to a 150-old industrial equipment manufacturer.
The recurring theme is always innovation. The goal of the Fund is to support the researchers, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, and other ideators to make their pioneering products and technologies available to those who can benefit from them. New York State is rich in technology capital (both physical and human). We specifically encourage the partnership between for-profit companies and Universities, Centers of Excellence, Centers for Advanced Manufacturing, MEP centers, incubators, accelerators, maker spaces, co-ops, contract manufacturers, and other economic development agencies, so that New York State companies can learn from and rely on this vast network of expertise and resources.
The 2025 Innovation Challenge
FuzeHub ran the first Innovation Challenge in 2018. The Challenge has been the only intermittent track under the Fund; it is always focused on a particular industry, and it can have unique requirements compared to the Manufacturing Grants and the Commercialization Competition.
This year, thanks to additional funding from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) as part of the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP), we are running the 2nd Microelectronics Innovation Challenge. Eligible applicant teams must include a not-for-profit organization and an industry partner, and be developing either:
- a relevant innovation, or
- a technology or process that strengthens and/or improves the microelectronics supply chain in NYS.
In NYS, a lot of investments have been made in the microelectronics sector recently. For example, the recent groundbreaking of Micron’s new facility has generated a lot of excitement. But we know gaps exist, and we also want to make sure that the opportunities for growth and innovation reach all entrepreneurs, including those located in less dense parts of the state.
Finding a Partner
New for 2025, we added a geographical limitation to the Innovation Challenge applicants. At least one of the applicant team organizations must be located in Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, or Oswego county.
We are aware that this limitation added an obstacle to the Challenge; therefore, we are trying a new tool to help organizations find their counterparts. We created a spreadsheet that is available upon request, and any organization interested in the Challenge that has not found their counterpart yet can request to be added to it. We are very excited to try this new approach, and internally, we are already discussing how to improve on the concept for the next funding round.
Examples of Relevant Projects
Some of the projects previously awarded under the Challenge included expanding manufacturing capability by adding new wafer sizes, improvements on manufacturing quality control, and the creation of better technologies to replace current procedures.
Projects whose main goal is to onshore an existing technology are typically not competitive enough for the Fund. However, since one of the Innovation Challenge’s goals is to strengthen the supply chain, onshoring projects are appropriate for this opportunity.
Award Benefits Beyond the Funding
The 3 projects awarded in the previous Microelectronics Innovation Challenge round are all approaching completion, and have already generated new jobs and tens of thousands of dollars in cost savings. More importantly, they are all unlocking new customers and new markets for the industry partners in those projects. In year 1, their new sales could approach a combined $1M.
Additional Resources
For full details on program requirements, eligible project types, and how to apply, visit: https://fuzehub.com/innovation-challenge/
Companies in the microelectronics industry looking for additional support can check out these resources:
- Engage with the FuzeHub Solution Team, which specialises in making tailored connections to help you solve your technology challenges. The Solutions Team can connect companies to subject matter experts and facilities that offer equipment and tools necessary for the development, testing and refinement of your technology.
- The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund has 2 additional yearly funding opportunities for NYS manufacturer and technology companies:
- The Manufacturing Grants also require a partnership between industry and a not-for-profit. This track is industry agnostic, and companies in any stage of development can apply (although they must select a sub-track between startups and established companies). Grants are up to $65,000. We expect to run the next round in April 2026.
- The Commercialization Competition is meant for early-stage, pre-revenue, pre-seed companies trying to bring their prototype to market. Companies apply directly for a chance at winning an investment of up to $150,000 Applications typically open in July.
- The Griffiss Institute is a business accelerator for companies developing technology that is relevant to the defense industry. They offer a multitude of resources, including relevant connections, mentorship, lab space, and funding.
- TDO (Central New York MEP Center)
- AIM (Mohawk Valley MEP Center)
- New York State investments in the Semiconductor Industry https://esd.ny.gov/industries/semiconductors