Apply for Luminate Startup Accelerator

Luminate is the only international investment fund and startup accelerator focused solely on next-generation optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI). Located in Rochester, NY — the optics and imaging capital of the world — Luminate brings visionary entrepreneurs from around the globe together for a hybrid 6-month business accelerator program that’s primarily remote with select weeks in-person for instruction, events, or meetings. During their time in Luminate, companies connect with OPI pioneers and qualified investors to speed innovation and time to market.

Why Apply?

• Luminate is a world renowned accelerator that invests $3 million every year into promising startups. If you are working to solve industry challenges with technology that uses optics, photonics, or imaging components, Luminate can help you scale.
• As a member of Luminate, you get:
  • $100,000 upon acceptance, and a chance to receive $1 million in follow-on funding at the end of the six-month program
  • Opportunities to pitch to 30+ investors, including Samsung, Sony, Corning, J&J, and Launchpad Ventures Boston
  • Mentorship from the world-class advisory board
  • Access to PitchBook, Zemax OpticStudio, and MATLAB
  • Access to the New York Photonics Cluster and its 150+ OPI companies
  • Connections to skilled talent, optical assembly and manufacturing facilities, state and federal research facilities, and other resources to grow your business
  • Weekly instruction on business topics from sales and marketing to IP protection and finance

Eligibility Criteria

• To qualify for Luminate’s cohort-based program:
  • Your company must be incorporated.
  • You must have proven your optics, photonics, or imaging enabled technology at least at the lab scale.
  • You must have a team of at least two members working on the business full-time.
  • You must have C-level team members able to locate in Rochester or participate in the hybrid-remote program for 6 months.

For more information, visit NextCorps.