FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Susan Bardack
Phone: (518) 867-7940
Patty Rechberger/FuzeHub
Empire State Development (ESD) supported program will award $500,000 to startups to bring their technologies closer to market
Watch the announcement here.
(Albany, NY – September 26, 2024) – FuzeHub, a not-for-profit organization that supports small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York State, is excited to announce the finalists for its eight annual Commercialization Competition, to be held October 28-29, 2024, at the Syracuse Oncenter Convention Center. The Commercialization Competition takes place yearly as part of the ESD-supported FuzeHub Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. Twelve entrepreneurs from across New York State have the opportunity to win $50,000 by pitching their business plan before a panel of judges and a live audience. One lucky company will receive the $150,000 grand award.
The New York State Innovation Summit celebrates New York State leadership in technology-led economic growth. Companies and researchers at the forefront of emerging technologies and new advancements in production capabilities will be showcased while current technology convergence opportunities, ways to accelerate commercialization, and issues of manufacturing sustainability will be explored.
During the Summit, finalists will demonstrate the commercialization potential of their product or technology and compete against each other for one out of seven awards. Award funds must be used to improve an existing prototype or go-to-market strategy, enabling the company to pursue additional investments and customers, and leading to the successful commercialization of their product.
“I would like to take a moment to celebrate our twelve outstanding finalists” said Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund Manager at FuzeHub. “It is a significant accomplishment to reach this stage. These companies have proven that they have what it takes to break through the noise and the tenacity required to turn their innovative ideas into reality. I cannot wait to work with them to get ready for their live pitches at the Summit.”
This event creates numerous opportunities to learn, connect with entrepreneurs, potential customers, investors, and support service professionals, and see how FuzeHub continues to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. Registration is still open, and full agenda details are available on the NYS Innovation Summit website.
FuzeHub is pleased to announce the finalists:
Addinex Technologies, Inc. New York City
Remote Medication Monitoring System to Reduce Prescription Drug Misuse
Addinex Technologies developed a novel system that controls access, monitors patients, sends reminders if drug doses are missed, collects treatment progress, provides ongoing feedback to the patient, alerts doctors and caregivers when treatment goes off track, and makes disposal of excess pills easy. The system uses a patented medication-dispensing device paired with a smartphone app.
Anova Biomedical, Inc. Southern Tier
The First Self-Transforming Fully Biodegradable Vascular Grafts
As part of their treatment, some dialysis patients must undergo surgery to create “vascular access.” Current vascular access grafts are made of porous Teflon, the same material used in non-stick pans, and they perform terribly. Anova Biomedical is making a new form of vascular access graft made from a novelty material that slowly degrades over time as the body regenerates. This technology will help prevent excess hospitalizations and premature patient deaths.
AlbaNYlabs LLC Capital Region
Field Trial of SARS-CoV-2 SMART Assay, a New Type of COVID-19 Detection Test
Current standard COVID-19 tests give positive results long after the patient has stopped replicating the virus. AlbaNYlabs is working on a new type of COVID-19 detection test that identifies a patient actively replicating the virus for the first time. This test will help prevent the overtreatment of most patients, and more accurately treat immunocompromised patients, as well as avoid unnecessary segregation of patients.
Ergami Endoscopy, Inc. New York City
Low-Cost Robotic Colonoscope Insertion Device to Reduce Physician Injury and Improve Productivity
Ergami Endoscopy is developing a low-cost robotic colonoscope insertion solution to improve procedure productivity; reduce patient pain and need for sedation; and reduce endoscopy-related injuries in endoscopists and nurses.
Eutrobac, LLC New York City
The Nutrifilter™ Affordably Removes Nitrogen Pollution from Water
The Nutrifilter™ directly removes nitrogen from pig farm manure lagoons, using bacteria to transform nitrogen in the water into nitrogen gas, a harmless form of nitrogen. This solution is passive, affordable, and indefinitely offsets nitrogen pollution, solving a big pain point for pig farmers all over the U.S.
IsoGuardian, LLC Capital Region
Commercialization of Reusable Medical Isolation Gowns
Traditional medical gowns are hot, brittle, and expensive. IsoGuardians(Iso) revolutionary gowns protect and outlast every other product bringing an 89% savings to hospitals while providing enhanced safety and comfort for medical professionals. Its special material and manufacturing process creates an impenetrable barrier to liquids, pulls, and abrasions while remaining breathable, allowing medical professionals to feel safe and comfortable while providing critical care.
Lupo Inventions LLC Long Island
Just Right Baby Bottle Maker, the Only Portable Bottle-Making Device Combining Heating/Mixing into One
The Just Right Baby Bottle Maker provides a baby bottle with advanced mixing technology, precise temperature controls, and portability and convenience all in one! This rechargeable (via USB portal) and portable invention, fitting within cup holders for the car, stroller, etc., blends and warms baby formula/breast milk with temperature control. The bottle is properly blended with two temperature control options (room temperature and 98.6F), offering virtually no bubbles or chunks that would often otherwise lead to health problems for babies. The invention allows customers to warm only, blend only, or, warm and blend simultaneously.
Innovative Neurons LLC Mid-Hudson
Fast Access Safety Syringe Saves Clinicians Time During Injections
FASS (Fast Access Safety Syringe) is an innovative solution designed to streamline the injection process, enhance safety, and reduce waste. This syringe features a unique rotating mechanism that integrates two needles into a single device, eliminating the need for manual switching of needles while reducing needlestick injuries.
Never Miss Inc., DBA Andiem New York City
Pivot – The First True Solution to Ankle Sprains, Which Is the Most Common Orthopedic Injury
Andiem solved basketball’s ankle epidemic and they’re positively impacting players’ lives (on and off the court) at all levels of the game. The Pivot is an athletic shoe that protects ankles better than anything on the market to help athletes extend their careers. Designed with orthopedic surgeons and shoe industry vets, it has several features that help prevent injury, boost performance, provide additional foot control, and still looks good.
Parker Isaac Instruments, DBA FormaPath Southern Tier
nToto Automated Tissue Handling and Visualization System to Gross Small Biopsies
FormaPath has proven their concept combining robotics and computer vision to automate small biopsy grossing. Labs are under significant pressure to meet turnaround time and limited resources; manual processes are inherently inconsistent. nToto quickly delivers high-confidence reports to guide appropriate treatment for all patients.
SynchroPET, Inc. Long Island
A Pre-Clinical Small Animal PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scanner
SynchroPET has commercialized a new way to build PET scanners in which they eliminate thousands of wires and components associated with processing PET data and replaced them with an ASIC microchip. This patented design enables them to build PET scanners that have same as or higher performance and are much smaller, cheaper, MRI compatible, and more flexible. They can create configurations of the scanner for unique use cases no one else can in both the pre-clinical and clinical markets.
Triton Bio, Inc. Central New York
Scalable Manufacturing of a “Smart” Incubator for Automating Microbial Analysis
Triton Bio is building Mira, an incubator with AI computer vision to automate microbial analysis and supercharge research. Mira automatically captures images of samples (such as Petri dishes) over time. This will automate laborious tasks for microbiologists and give them unprecedented access to biological characteristics and activity. Real-life application examples are the identification of drug resistance characteristics, the study of the effects of preservatives on food shelf-life, and the effects of insecticides in real time.
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, consisting of over $1 million annually, supports a set of activities designed to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. FuzeHub is administering this fund as part of its role as the Empire State Development designated statewide MEP center. For more information about the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, contact Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund Manager, at [email protected] or visit the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund.
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.
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 www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.