FuzeHub now accepting applications for its 2019 Commercialization Competition

FuzeHub 2017 winners

Application opens July 15, 2019 and closes August 14, 2019 (at 4 p.m. EST).  Apply on-line here:  https://fuzehub.com/commercialization-competition/

As part of the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, FuzeHub will hold a New York State Commercialization Competition on November 18 and 19, 2019.  Finalist companies will compete in person to demonstrate the commercialization potential of their technology or product and win up to $150,000.  This competition is intended to help small-to-medium size manufacturing and technology companies strengthen their “go-to-market” strategies as they move from new product/production method to marketplace.

FuzeHub is entering its third year hosting the Commercialization Competition, part of the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. The $400,000 Commercialization Competition is a two-day event in Albany, NY that will feature a pitch competition showcasing innovative early stage companies, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

SU startup SparkCharge was an inaugural 2017 FuzeHub winner, winning funds to help its mission to revolutionize the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry by commercializing the first portable electric vehicle charging station that will enable EV owners to charge anytime and anywhere they want.  (SparkCharge Founder Josh Aviv ’15, G’17 pictured above, far left).

FuzeHub finalists “pitch” at a two day event in Albany, organized into sessions such as: Energy & Clean Tech, Bio/Life Sciences, and Process Performance & Efficiency. Companies present their ideas to demonstrate the commercialization potential of their product or technology.

FuzeHub’s Commercialization Competition was developed to support pre-revenue businesses and to target to a specific phase in a company’s product development. Funds must be used to produce, or improve upon, a working prototype or beta phase to enable the applicant to pursue additional investment and customers, leading to the commercialization of their product concept.

The Jeff Lawrence Manufacturing Innovation Fund, consisting of $1 million annually for five years, supports a set of activities designed to promote technology development and commercialization across New York State, including Manufacturing Innovation Grants, a Commercialization Competition, challenges, strategic memberships, training programs, and other resources serving small and medium sized manufacturers and companies.

FuzeHub is administering this fund as part of its role as the Empire State Development (ESD)-designated statewide Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. For more information about the Jeff Lawrence Manufacturing Innovation Fund, visit https://fuzehub.com/manufacturing-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.