FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Susan Bardack – 518.867.7940
Empire State Development-Supported Manufacturing Grants program awards $390,000 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.
“Modern manufacturing relies on innovation and collaboration. These grant recipients are on the front lines, pursuing big ideas with potential to move the sector forward,” said Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). “Their work will advance cutting-edge solutions while also strengthening our economy, creating jobs, and adding to New York State’s rich industrial history. Empire State Development is proud to support this round of awardees, and we’re excited to see the lasting impact of their projects.”
In addition, the Innovation Fund is used to help early-stage companies through FuzeHub’s annual Commercialization Competition, which takes place in the fall. The FuzeHub Commercialization Competition is intended to help small manufacturing and technology companies further develop their prototype to pursue additional investment and customers as well as strengthen their “go-to-market” strategies, as they move from new product/production method to marketplace.
The 2025 Commercialization Competition application period is currently open, and the deadline to apply is August 8 at 11:59EST. Finalists will pitch live at the 2025 New York State Innovation Summit, hosted by FuzeHub, which showcases the companies and researchers at the forefront of emerging technologies and new advancements in production capabilities.
“These six innovative projects represent the spirit of ingenuity and entrepreneurship that drives New York’s economy forward,” said Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund Manager at FuzeHub. “From breakthroughs in medical devices and assistive mobility, to smart infrastructure and sustainable building materials, these awardees will unleash positive impacts in communities everywhere, showcasing the strength and commitment of New Yorkers to a better future.”
FuzeHub is pleased to announce the grantees. Each awardee will receive $65,000:
STEAM Garden/ Emboa Medical (Capital Region)
Biomimetic Aspiration Thrombectomy Catheter
Albany’s STEAM Garden and startup Emboa Medical are teaming up to perfect a new stroke‑treatment device that removes dangerous blood clots faster and safer than today’s tools. The “TRAP” catheter uses small scale barbs inside its tip. These barbs latch onto the clot while gentle suction pulls it out, increasing the chance of removing a blood clot in the first pass, and without causing harm to delicate blood vessels.
The Long Island High Technology Incubator (LIHTI) / SuperClean Glass Inc. (Long Island)
Designing scalable laser manufacturing platform for solar industry
Solar photovoltaics are set to become the largest renewable source of energy by 2025. Approximately 60% of solar panels are being installed in dry, desert-like regions. In these regions, dust that settles on solar panels can reduce their output by more than 10%. The standard approach is to mechanically clean the panels, using vast quantities of potable water and significant manual labor. Instead, the SuperClean Glass team developed a waterless self-cleaning technology, which utilizes an Electrodynamic Shield (EDS) to repel dust particles. This project will create the very first manufacturing platform allowing mass production of this technology at scale.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Center for Architecture Science and Ecology / FibreWerks, Inc. (Capital Region/ New York City)
Pultrusion of Sustainable Microbar for Reinforced Concrete
FibreWerks, an RPI spinout company located in Brooklyn, is developing next-generation, low-carbon, natural-fiber biocomposite manufacturing technologies and products for construction. In this FuzeHub project, RPI will assist FibreWerks with manufacturing equipment improvements and material innovation for the company’s debut product: BioBar. This innovative microbar, made from yarns of hemp, bioplastic, and castor oil, is a sustainable product with good end-of-life options (e.g., compostable).
The hemp is originally grown and harvested by farmers, then infused with a bio-polyester resin derived from Lignin (a byproduct of papermaking), and plant-derived castor oil. BioBar will be used as an alternative to rebar to reinforce concrete for building and construction, infrastructure, and mining and tunneling applications.
Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Inc (MACNY) / Floe, Inc. (Central New York/ New York City)
Unlocking Full Commercial Readiness for Floe’s Smart Deicing System
MACNY, a Syracuse-based manufacturing group, has partnered with Floe, a climate tech startup spun out of MIT & Yale addressing a $11B market. The self-named Floe is a smart system that prevents ice dams – hazardous ice formations that develop along roof edges during the winter. These buildups can lead to serious issues, including interior leaks, roof damage, and safety risks from falling ice. The system uses sensors and real-time weather data to detect when conditions are right for ice to form. When needed, it automatically applies a safe, biodegradable deicing fluid to proactively manage buildup before it becomes a problem.
Unlike traditional methods that are unsafe, costly, and energy-intensive, Floe cuts operating costs by over 40% and carbon emissions by over 99%. This project funds critical manufacturing scale-up and the development of a zoning feature to serve large commercial customers more effectively.
CUNY Central, NYS Empire Corps / Chase Mobility LLC (New York City/ Capital Region)
ChaseWheel™ Motorized Wheelchair Attachment
The ChaseWheel™ is a motorized attachment for manual wheelchairs that is revolutionary in its capacity to manage both smooth and rough terrains. It is intuitive, affordable, and safe. The ChaseWheel™ will be the first device of its kind to be financially available for consumer-level sales, which bypasses insurance wait times and long repair queues. The device offers unbridled freedom for wheelchair users, allowing them to traverse steep hills, long distances, and off-road terrains, even with limited strength or energy.
Research Foundation of CUNY on behalf of Queens College, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences / NanoGold MedTech, Inc (New York City)
Development of an AI-Empowered Nanophotonics Sensor for Cancer Margin Detection
The Almeida Lab at Queens College is partnering with NanoGold MedTech, a NYC-based startup, to manufacture and test the NanoGold device – a new microchip sensor and optical system for real-time, high-resolution imaging of cancer margins.
Currently, surgeons cannot see where the cancer stops, and ofen have to guess during surgery. That can mean leaving cancer behind or removing too much healthy tissue. Many patients end up needing a second surgery. When the NanoGold sensor touches tissue, it changes color depending on whether the tissue is cancerous or healthy – a bit like how litmus paper works in chemistry class – creating a detailed, real-time map of what’s cancer and what’s not. NanoGold gives surgeons real-time answers during surgery — helping patients avoid second operations and heal faster.
This project will deliver and validate the first working prototype, paving the way for scalable manufacturing and clinical use.
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.