Deadline:
January 10, 2025
Program Starts: September 08, 2025
Program Ends: September 26, 2025
Location(s)
Online United States of America
Luminate is a hybrid program meaning that companies are not expected to move to Rochester for the program. However, company leaders must attend 6-7 weeks (one week a month) in person for programming, pitches and events, and participate in virtual education the other weeks of the program.
Overview
Luminate is an accelerator and investment portfolio that awards $3 million annually to 10 - 12 companies from around the world that are developing emerging solutions in almost every industry.
Advance your startup at the only accelerator for optics, photonics, and imaging technology. Apply to Luminate by Monday, January 2025 for up to $100K initial investment and a chance to compete for up to $1M in follow-on funding.
Details
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 our 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
Luminate is the only international startup accelerator focused solely on next-generation optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI). Located in the world capital of imaging—Rochester, New York—Luminate is bringing visionary entrepreneurs from around the globe together with OPI pioneers and qualified investors to speed innovation and time to market. It’s also providing early-stage companies with the capital necessary to further develop their technologies, including $100,000 upon program acceptance, and a chance to win up to $2 million in follow-on funding.
You’ve identified the market need and have demonstrated proof-of-concept. Now you need help bringing your product to market. That’s where Luminate comes in. We help you succeed with capital, connections, and a community of resources. Each accepted company will receive a $100,000 convertible note and is eligible for follow-on investments. Our team will work closely with you to help make your company a success. We’ll connect you with our world-class advisors and partners so you can take advantage of their expertise and networks.
We’ll help you identify and get in front of customers and make introductions to the vast network of suppliers and potential partners within the Rochester, NY region. You’ll become a part of the Rochester optics and imaging community, and the entrepreneurial community at Sibley Square. Each program participant will be provided with working space, as well as access to the Luminate Optical Lab, NextCorps Prototyping Lab, and equipment and labs through local partners. We’ll also hold community and networking events, so you can grow your network. Throughout the program, we’ll be providing you with the resources, knowledge, and connections you need to succeed, as well as giving you opportunities to hone your story. At the end of the program, participants will pitch at Demo Day and will compete for a portion of $2 million in follow-on funding.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
We support teams with transformative ideas regardless of the nationality of the founders. However, you must be eligible to work in the U.S.
To qualify for Luminate’s highly competitive, 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.
* Cohort members are expected to participate in-person one week per month for meetings in Rochester, NY and/or investor pitches. (Prior cohorts have pitched in NYC, Boston, San Francisco, etc.) We understand COVID may impact travel, and we will remain adaptive.
Dates
Deadline: January 10, 2025
Program starts:
September 08, 2025
Program ends:
September 26, 2025
Program Starts: September 08, 2025
Program Ends: September 26, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Its 6-month program is based in the optics capital of the world--Rochester, NY. Its team and board work closely with the selected teams to scale their business, operations, pipeline, technology and improve their investment readiness.
Selected teams receive a $100,000 investment to attend the program. At the end of the 6-months, Luminate invests $1,000,0000 into the winning team, $500,000 to the second-place team, and $250,000 each to the third and fourth-placed teams.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
