Luminate Accelerator

Big news for Luminate cohort 7 company, VoxelSensors! ?? They’ve been selected for funding by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, standing out among 1,211 applicants in the most competitive round yet.

It’s always exciting to see Luminate alum making big moves! NanoPattern Technologies, Inc. , Luminate cohort 6, has been awarded nearly $75,000 through the Innovation Voucher Program from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Congrats, NanoPattern! ?? https://lnkd.in/ewzi5W9Z

It’s this kind of curiosity and commitment that makes our team so strong. While Luminate's financial analyst Anjali Boriya didn’t have to dive into the technical side of things, her interest in learning more about optics reflects her genuine passion for our mission and her dedication to understanding the technologies our startups are developing. Way to go, Anjali!?And great plug for the phenomenal teacher we have in Dr. Damon Diehl.

In keeping with the core principles of Luminate’s mission to help startups succeed and elevate women in STEM, we proudly kicked off the Women Founders Forum yesterday. This new series offers founding and C-suite women from Luminate portfolio companies opportunities to hear from accomplished women who are forging new possibilities in optics, photonics, and imaging. Deepest thanks to our inaugural guest speaker, Marisa Edmund, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Edmund Optics. Mari—who has helped grow the company from 200 to over 1,300 employees during her tenure—shared her unique perspective as a third-generation leader of a family business with a global presence. She fielded questions on topics from managing brand integrations and hiring, to navigating family dynamics and finding time for self-care. Thank you for sharing your insights and advice, Mari! Shout out to Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan for leading our first-ever forum, and to our partners at Bell Collaborative for helping bring this important initiative to life.

Congratulations to iLoF, a Luminate cohort 7 company, for being named one of the winners of Founders Games 2025! With over 4,800 applicants from 150 countries, this recognition is a testament to the impact of their AI-driven work in personalized drug discovery. We look forward to seeing what’s next.

Bounce Imaging, a Luminate cohort 1 company, has been named a 2025 Inno Fire Award winner. ?? The award recognizes startups making a significant market impact through partnerships, growth, and customer acquisition. Congrats to the team!

Reflecting on an Incredible Experience at SPIE Photonics West 2024 A bit late in sharing this, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to talk about an amazing experience! This January, SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics Photonics West brought together the brightest minds in optics, photonics, and imaging in San Francisco. It’s always inspiring to see cutting-edge innovations from across the globe, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Luminate Accelerator team for enabling me to be part of it. Thank you NextCorps for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful team! From forging valuable industry connections to engaging with some of the most forward-thinking professionals in the field, the event was nothing short of transformative. A special thank you to Sujatha Ramanujan for introducing me to Women in Optics—a fantastic forum of accomplished, like-minded women shaping the future of our industry. And of course, a huge shoutout to Veronica LoCurcio—the energy and engagement at the Luminate booth wouldn’t have been the same without her support and expertise! I had the privilege to attend Introduction to Optics course taught by Damon Diehl, but that definitely deserves a separate focused post! Stay tuned for that. Congratulations to Alexander Kostenko and Magdalena Kurzyp, PhD the Photosynthetic team, for winning the 2nd place in the Start-up Challenge. Looking forward to continuing these conversations and collaborations. If you were at Photonics West, I’d love to hear about your key takeaways! Drop a comment below. #PhotonicsWest #Optics #Photonics #Innovation #Networking #WomenInOptics #LuminateAccelerator

As we recognize International Women's Day 2025, we're showcasing some of the groundbreaking women founders in the Luminate fold—women who are accelerating action in STEM, breaking barriers, and forging paths for future generations. Read up on their work, and join us in celebrating the contributions of women everywhere: https://lnkd.in/g3_uBFJU #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

International Women’s Day falls on this Saturday. In a guest article to the Rochester Beacon, Luminate’s Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan shares a personal story that illustrates the power of diversity in driving innovation. She leaves businesses with a cautionary message: If you fail to support different perspectives at all levels from inside your company, you're decreasing your pipeline to the fresh ideas and creativity that can keep your brand relevant to more people externally. Don't miss out on business opportunities and potential. https://lnkd.in/gJUpjjZc #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

Looking for help scaling your hardware? Applications are open for the next round of NextCorps’ Manufacturing Accelerator. The free, nine-week program provides startups and early-stage companies with the resources, connections, and expertise needed to scale manufacturing efficiently and affordably. Participants gain access to industry experts for hands-on guidance, trusted manufacturing partners to streamline production, and funding opportunities to support growth. Learn more and apply by April 17: https://lnkd.in/dpan-2mh