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.
This grant was recently updated
No changes to Startup Projects are shown; the deadline extension applies only to Innovation Acceleration.
Funder: Cornell University
Due Dates: Rolling (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 accept a non-negotiable SAFE note.
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 supports early-stage Cornell-affiliated startups with proof-of-concept funding via SAFE notes, helping companies reach an inflection point for institutional investment or corporate partnerships.
The program focuses on promising Cornell technologies and innovations with strong commercial potential. Within the wider Ignite series, the goals are to reduce technology risk, increase value, and generate clear results that justify further investor and corporate engagement. Ignite also helps develop startup entrepreneurs and teams. Startup Projects serves active CTL startup licensees and eligible Cornell-affiliated incubator companies.
