Ignite Cornell Lab to Market
Internal — Cornell University only
Ignite Cornell Lab to Market supports research labs, entrepreneurial scientists and engineers, and early-stage companies with proof-of-concept and venture development funding to advance commercialization.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: November 6, 2026 (Innovation Acceleration application) | December 10, 2026 (Recorded presentation) | February 19, 2027 (Fellow for New Ventures application) | Rolling (Startup Projects)
Funding Amounts: Innovation Acceleration: up to $50,000 for 12 months; Fellow for New Ventures: up to $120,000 per year; Startup Projects: up to $75,000 via SAFE notes for 12 months
Summary: Gap funding helps Cornell innovations advance toward proof of concept, licensing, startup formation, industry partnerships, and investment.
Key Information: Innovation Acceleration and fellowship technologies must be disclosed to CTL and originate from Ithaca, Geneva, or Cornell Tech.
Description
Ignite Cornell Lab to Market is a gap-funding series managed by Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing (CTL). It supports technologies with strong commercial potential that are still too early for licensing or investment, helping validate innovations and reduce risk. Its goal is to enable proof-of-concept projects with clear results that justify further development and engagement from investors and corporate partners.
Three signature programs support different commercialization stages. Innovation Acceleration funds research labs to validate or develop initial proof of concept. Fellow for New Ventures pairs entrepreneurial scientists and engineers with faculty inventors to develop Cornell intellectual property and launch technology ventures. Startup Projects finances early-stage Cornell-affiliated companies seeking proof of concept and an inflection point for institutional investment or corporate partnerships.
