Startup Projects
Startup Projects supports early-stage Cornell-affiliated startups with proof-of-concept funding to advance promising technologies toward institutional investment or corporate partnerships.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: Rolling (Startup Projects applications)
Funding Amounts: Up to $75,000 per startup via SAFE notes for a 12-month project
Summary: Supports proof-of-concept projects at early-stage Cornell-affiliated startups to advance toward institutional investment or corporate partnerships.
Key Information: Companies must be incorporated as “Inc.” rather than “LLC”, and the Ignite SAFE note is non-negotiable.
Description
Startup Projects is one of three signature programs within Ignite: Cornell Research Lab to Market, Cornell University’s gap-funding series managed by the Center for Technology Licensing (CTL). It provides early-stage Cornell-affiliated startups with funding via SAFE notes to achieve proof of concept and increase opportunities to raise critical financing. Supported work aims to bring a startup to an inflection point that enables institutional investor funding or corporate partnerships.
Ignite supports promising Cornell technologies with strong commercial potential that are too early for licensing or investment. Its goals include reducing technology risk, increasing value, and producing clear project results that justify further engagement and development by investors and corporate partners. The series also helps grow startup entrepreneurs and teams, with support from Cornell Research & Innovation, the Provost’s office, and a donation from Peggy J. Koenig ’78.
