“Initiative will support high-impact pollution prevention projects totaling $250K in 2026-27.”

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GlobalFoundries Finalizes $375 Million CHIPS Act Award for Onshore Quantum Semiconductor Fabrication

“Distributed over a five-year milestone-based schedule, the award accelerates the expansion of GF’s dedicated Quantum Technology Solutions (QTS) business unit at its Malta, New York manufacturing complex to scale domestic quantum hardware production from research prototypes to volume fabrication.”

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How DeIorio Foods is evolving a century of dough-making heritage into a custom manufacturing model

“In a market full of commodity dough suppliers, DeIorio Foods (DeIorio) has built its business on being something else entirely: a partner, not just a producer.”

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Governor Hochul Celebrates Completion of IMA Life North America’s $30 Million Expansion Project in Tonawanda

“Expansion Allows the Company To Create 70 New Jobs and Retain 195 Jobs in Western New York.”

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Let’s take a virtual trip along the I-90 corridor and meet a few companies that make some of what we need today. Then we’ll consider where to discover what’s coming tomorrow.

Precision Machining

Precision machining is the process of removing unwanted material from a solid block of metal, plastic, or composite to produce parts with very tight dimensional or geometric tolerances. It uses CNC machinery to achieve measurements that are sometimes measured in microns. For reference, a human hair is typically 50 to 100 microns thick.

Precision-machined parts don’t have to be small, however. In the Capital Region, Greno Industries uses precision machining to produce large parts for gas turbines, combustion engines that convert natural gas or other fuels into mechanical energy. This energy then drives a generator that produces electricity used by facilities such as AI data centers.

Injection Molding

Injection molding is a high-volume manufacturing process that injects a molten material into a metal tool called a mold. Typically, this material is plastic; however, elastomers such as liquid silicone rubber (LSR) are also used. After parts cool, they’re ejected from the mold and finished during post-processing. For example, excess material call flash or flashing may need to be removed.

That doesn’t mean injection molding is imprecise In Central New York, Tessy Plastics is a contract manufacturer of precision plastic components for medical, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic products. The company has ISO Class 7 and 8 cleanrooms, holds an ISO 13485:2016 quality certification, and is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Converting, Printing, and Packaging

Converting is a manufacturing process that transforms bulk materials such as sheets and rolls into functional components. It includes die cutting, a specialized process that uses a custom-made tool called a die to shear, cut, stamp, or shape thin materials. Some converters also offer printing and packaging services to provide customers with single-source solutions.

In Western New York, Tapecon is a leading example. The 100+ year old company makes products that include wearable skin tapes and patches, membrane switches for small electronic devices, and printed chemical indicators that the semiconductor industry uses to track moisture levels in packaging. These indicators can also be used to monitor shipments of perishable items such as food.

Made in New York: Today and Tomorrow

These are just a few of the manufacturing processes – and a few of the New York State companies – that make what we need today. But what’s coming tomorrow? To find out, join us for the New York State Innovation Summit on October 27^th and 28^th at the Buffalo Convention Center. You’ll learn about topics like the quantum revolution, the new space economy, and glass-based microelectronics.

“The Albany, New York-based company operates a 300-millimeter pure-play quantum wafer foundry backed by an additional $1 billion investment from IBM.”

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MCC opens new advanced technology center for high-demand careers

“A new $69.6 million advanced technology center is now complete at Monroe Community College, expanding training opportunities for students pursuing careers in optics, advanced manufacturing and other high-demand fields.”

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NSF advances NSF OPAL toward construction-ready design

“The URochester-led NSF OPAL project awarded initial funding to support the final design phase for a world-leading high-power laser facility.”

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The Buffalo Bills’ New Stadium is American-made

“Built with nearly 100% American steel, the NFL’s newest structure is a testament to the industrial history of Western New York.”

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Driven by strategic state investments, federal momentum from the CHIPS and Science Act, and a rich ecosystem of research institutions, Upstate New York isn’t just manufacturing chips – the “brains” of modern electronics. The region is reinventing how semiconductor innovation moves from the lab to the factory floor.

The Power of a Collaborative Ecosystem

What makes New York State different is its end-to-end innovation pipeline. For example, across the I-90 corridor, Upstate New York houses an unmatched cluster of research facilities, university labs, and commercial fabs – specialized manufacturing facilities where raw silicon wafers are transformed into integrated circuits (ICs).

In New York’s Capital Region, the Albany Nanotech Complex stands as a global hub for semiconductor research and development (R&D). This 1.65 million sq. ft. facility brings together industry leaders, academic researchers, and startups all under one roof. Together, they’re pioneering the next generation of chip architecture.

Meanwhile, multi-billion-dollar investments from industry giants like Micron Technology in Clay, GlobalFoundries in Malta, and Wolfspeed in Marcy are cementing the region’s manufacturing scale. These facilities are expected to generate thousands of good-paying jobs while creating opportunities for local suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and service providers.

Strengthening the Local Supply Chain

Building silicon wafers is half the battle. Sustaining a robust semiconductor industry also requires a local supply chain. That’s where small-to-medium-sized manufacturers across New York State can play a vital role. From precision machining and custom tooling to advanced chemical packaging and industrial automation, the semiconductor industry needs top-notch suppliers.

The New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) works directly with the state’s manufacturers to ensure they’re ready to seize these opportunities. By connecting local businesses with technical expertise, grant funding, and strategic partnerships, NY MEP helps manufacturers to scale their capabilities to meet the rigorous demands of a fast-growing industry.

Investing in Workforce and Future Innovation

Reinventing semiconductor manufacturing also requires a workforce that’s ready for these technologies. SUNY Polytechnic University, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) and others are developing specialized curricula, apprenticeship programs, and cleanroom training modules to build a pipeline of technical talent.

Advancing Glass-Based Microelectronics

Another emerging area supporting the future of semiconductor manufacturing is glass-based microelectronics. Through Upstate Makes, FuzeHub is supporting Glass4Chips, an initiative focused on accelerating U.S. leadership in glass-based microsystems manufacturing and packaging.

Glass4Chips brings together stakeholders across the glass-based microelectronics value chain, including fabrication, assembly, validation, workforce development, and early commercialization. By connecting industry, academia, and ecosystem organizations around shared manufacturing, testing, qualification, and supply-chain needs, the initiative is working to address some of the barriers that can slow the transition of promising technologies from development to commercial production.

As the semiconductor industry continues to advance, technologies such as glass-based substrates have the potential to support the performance, scalability, reliability, and manufacturability required for next-generation microelectronics. Initiatives like Glass4Chips demonstrate how collaboration across the ecosystem can help strengthen domestic capabilities and move emerging technologies closer to real-world deployment.

Looking Ahead

Upstate New York’s transformation into America’s “Silicon Empire” is more than a regional success story. It’s a cornerstone of U.S. economic security and technological leadership. As advanced manufacturing continues to evolve, this combination of world-class R&D, strong supply chain integration, and a dedicated workforce are part of what America needs to succeed.

For more information about New York State’s innovation ecosystem and its commitment to supporting tomorrow’s technologies, join FuzeHub for the New York State Innovation Summit on October 27 and 28, 2026 at the Buffalo Convention Center. Now in its seventh year, this multi-day event features expert speakers, breakout sessions, an exhibit hall, and much more.

Uncaged Innovations’ material is designed to match the durability, performance, and feel of traditional leather but without the environmental cost. This bold undertaking has already attracted attention from global brands and investors, and the company is the recipient of four awards from FuzeHub’s Jeff Lawrence Manufacturing Innovation Fund.

Entrepreneurship and Science

Uncaged Innovations was co-founded by Stephanie Downs and Dr. Xiaokun Wang. Downs is a serial entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience building companies across marketing, plant-based food, and environmental sustainability. During her consulting work with major brands, she saw firsthand the growing demand for animal-free materials and the lack of scalable, high-performance alternatives.

Dr. Wang conducted biomaterials research at Johns Hopkins University, where she developed corneal implants using biobased components. Dr. Wang’s scientific expertise, combined with Downs’ business leadership, formed the foundation for developing a bio-based material made mainly from grain proteins such as corn, wheat, and soy.

These grains wouldn’t be eaten by people. Instead, they’re the same types of agricultural inputs that are used to feed cattle. By replicating leather’s molecular structure with plant-based ingredients, Uncaged Innovations avoids chemical tanning – an industrial process that turns animal hides into leather by treating them with toxic substances that can pollute water, soil, and air.

Solving Fashion’s Sustainability Problem

The fashion industry is the second most environmentally damaging industry in the world, surpassed only by oil and gas, Freedman explains. Traditional leather plays a significant role in this impact. It’s not just because of chemical tanning either. The cattle whose hides are used to produce leather emit methane, a greenhouse gas, as part of their digestive process.

Many “vegan leather” alternatives exist, but most rely heavily on plastics or petroleum-derived ingredients. These materials may be cruelty-free, but they aren’t environmentally sustainable. Uncaged Innovations is different because its material is bio-based instead of plastic-filled or petroleum-dependent. Its advantages don’t stop there.

This innovative material is durable and meets performance benchmarks for small leather goods and footwear. Manufacturing is readily scalable because it relies upon existing equipment instead of requiring custom-built machinery. Plus, Uncaged Innovations’ material is price-competitive with traditional leather.

Listening to the Voice of the Customer

From day one, the company designed its product to be manufacturable at scale. Early prototypes were just one-inch squares, but every development stage was tied to real-world production requirements. Today, Uncaged Innovations produces rolls more than a meter wide and hundreds of meters long that can be cut into 25 square foot panels for customers.

Scaling production wasn’t easy. Freedman describes the process as “challenges at almost every step,” but she also emphasizes how the team’s responsiveness made the difference. For example, when brands expressed concerns about how early-stage prototypes reacted to humidity, Dr. Wang returned with solutions that eliminated these issues.

Uncaged Innovations’ customer discovery process was especially rigorous. Through an NSF iCorps program, the team conducted more than 100 interviews with brands, end users, and industry stakeholders. This feedback shaped development and accelerated commercialization, transforming a strong idea into a tangible product.

How FuzeHub Grants Accelerated Growth

Uncaged Innovations has received three FuzeHub Manufacturing Grants, each supporting a different stage of the company’s development. Together, the grants have enabled it to reach key technical milestones, conduct pilot runs and testing, iterate based on customer feedback, and quickly move from prototype to production.

The most recent FuzeHub grant focused specifically on bringing the company’s material up to full footwear specifications. This performance category is demanding and requires durability, flexibility, and consistency across climate conditions. As Freedman explains, the success of the project ultimately “led to a footwear brand being able to get a product out on the market with our material”.

From Pilot Scale to Global Launches

Uncaged Innovations has achieved the type of rapid scaleup that many startups struggle with. Many of its competitors needed a decade or more to reach full production, but Uncaged Innovations reached that milestone in less than four years. In addition to footwear, the company has entered various markets through multiple commercial launches with global and boutique brands.

Notable achievements include a public collaboration with Hyundai and investment from Jaguar Land Rover’s investment arm. Uncaged Innovations has also expanded its team to London, Mexico, and Philadelphia. In addition to three FuzeHub grants, the company has received significant non-dilutive funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Empire State Development.

A Growing Team with Global Reach

Uncaged Innovations is proving that sustainability, performance, and scalability can coexist. Its plant-based leather alternative is already making its way into products around the world, and the company is positioned to help major brands meet new sustainability standards. For Freedman, the mission is clear: “We want to help brands do better — and prove that it can be done.”

“NextCorps to Research Tools and Best Practices for Manufacturing Site Evaluations to Boost Pathways for New Technology Adoption.”

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Niagara Power Transformer plans manufacturing facility expansion in New York

“The expansion is expected to increase the company’s transformer production by approximately 50%.”

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Rochester-area manufacturing pipeline gets boost from pre-apprenticeship program

“Five participants recently completed the sixth annual Genesee Valley Mechatronics Pre-Apprenticeship Boot Camp, gaining classroom instruction and paid work experience aimed at preparing them for careers in advanced manufacturing.”

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‘Halo Top’ ice cream manufacturer unveils new upgrade at Dunkirk facility

“The multimillion-dollar upgrade added new production lines and employee spaces to the facility. It also includes an innovative chocolate manufacturing line — the only Ferrero facility of its kind in the U.S.”

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“The all-day event featured industry experts as well as leaders from New Paltz’s Hudson Valley Venture Hub and Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center sharing resources and best practices to help first-time entrepreneurs turn product ideas into actionable commercialization plans.”

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Micron invests $10B in US memory research lab over 10 years

“The chipmaker joins a public-private partnership to build North America’s first publicly owned High NA EUV lithography center in Albany, New York.”

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Anheuser-Busch Invests $13 Million in Baldwinsville, NY Brewery, Expands Local Manufacturing Skills Training

“As part of this investment, Anheuser-Busch will also open a new technical skills training center inside the Baldwinsville Brewery, one of 15 that the company is opening nationwide, to upskill employees across mechanical, electrical, digital, and operational areas.”

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Bartell Machinery completes major facility expansion

“Powered by advanced technologies and automation, Bartell focuses on enabling innovation through its rubber and tire, wire and cable and oil and gas equipment lines.”

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That’s exactly why the NSF I-Corps program exists, and why so many startups supported by FuzeHub have leveraged it to accelerate their path to commercialization. If you’re skeptical and need proof, look at the number of Commercialization Competition winners who have completed NSF I-Corps. DUB Therapeutics, recently highlighted in our Faces of Manufacturing series, is just one example.

What is I-Corps?

NSF ICorps is a seven-week, immersive entrepreneurial training program created by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It’s designed to help researchers and founders de-risk their technology, validate their market, and build a repeatable business model. But does NSF I-Corps work? Busy startups are understandingly hesitant to make such a time-intensive commitment.

The facts speak for themselves. More than 2,500 teams have completed I-Corps since 2012, and over half have gone on to launch startups that have collectively raised billions in follow-on funding. Importantly, NSF I-Corps also helps founders avoid costly missteps. Maybe you really have invented the greatest thing since sliced bread, but why build a bakery if there isn’t a viable market?

Customer Discovery

Many founders begin with a solution in search of a problem. I-Corps flips that script. Teams conduct 100+ customer discovery interviews, pushing them out of internal echo chambers and into conversations with end users, buyers, regulators, and partners. This process forces startups to confront some uncomfortable truths early:

• Who truly feels the pain point we think we’re solving?
• Is the problem big enough to justify a business?
• What product features matter, and which don’t?
• Who will pay for our product, and why?

For many teams, this is the moment when their potential solution stops being an idea in search of customers and starts becoming a viable product.

Reducing Risk and Increasing Impact

The mission of I-Corps is simple: reduce the risk of translating technologies from the lab to the marketplace. For manufacturing startups, this is especially critical. Building hardware, scaling production, and meeting regulatory or industry standards requires significant investment. I-Corps helps founders validate their assumptions before they commit resources or pursue grants.

The program also connects teams to a national network of mentors, instructors, and fellow innovators. When combined with New York’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network and programs like FuzeHub’s Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, New York State startups can power their way from prototyping to production.

Why Your Startup Should Consider I-Corps

If you’re an early-stage manufacturer, technology developer, or research-driven startup, NSF I-Corps offers:

• Clarity about your market and customer
• Confidence in your value proposition
• Speed in making informed decisions
• Connections to an innovation ecosystem
• A stronger case for future funding, including the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund

What’s the bottom line? NSF I-Corps helps you build a business that customers want and that investors can believe in.

If you’re ready to hit a home run, request a no-cost assessment with FuzeHub’s Manufacturer Solutions Program. We’ll tell you more about NSF I-Corps and other available programs.

“Moog’s Advanced Integrated Manufacturing facility is a 150,000-square-foot standalone building intended to expand the company’s precision machining operations.”

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Rochester region sees semiconductor growth from CHIPS Act investments

“Four years after the CHIPS & Science Act was signed into law, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is highlighting Rochester and other Upstate New York communities as key players in the nation’s effort to rebuild domestic semiconductor manufacturing.”

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NSF Energy Storage Engine Launches Scholars Initiative to Grow Next-Generation Battery Talent Pipeline

“Binghamton University, the Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University and the University at Buffalo will lead four regional coalitions spanning the NSF Engine’s service region, creating a connected talent pipeline from K–12 through university training into industry placement.”

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Students graduate from six-week Bridge to Manufacturing program

“Nine Syracuse City School District students are celebrating the completion of a six-week summer program designed to prepare them for college and careers in Central New York’s growing advanced manufacturing industry.”

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