Pitching 101: How to Present Your Startups and Technology Innovation to Potential Funders
2024-02-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
For CTL New Ventures Series, Kirsten Leute at Osage University Partners (OUP) will focus the session on how an entrepreneur or a faculty-entrepreneur can develop and deliver a pitch to gain interest and commitment from potential investors.
Pitching an early-stage science- and technology-based startup to potential funders can be intimidating. Learning how to tailor your presentation and understanding what motivates funders to say yes, or at least not give you an outright no, are important aspects of preparing for your initial pitch. This talk will be structured around OUP’s many years of experience in hearing pitches and reviewing pitch decks to provide insight on creating and presenting an initial startup pitch to funders.
Register now.

Annual Weill Cornell Medicine Startup Symposium & InvestConnect Conference
2024-02-28 10:00 - 17:00
You are invited to join the annual Weill Cornell Medicine Startup Symposium & InvestConnect Conference on Wednesday, February 28, 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. ET. This full-day program is an opportunity to celebrate innovation & entrepreneurship and engage with like-minded founders, investors and industry representatives. Featured presentations will include:
– An interview with Bruce R., Weill Cornell Medicine Board of Fellows member, and Adam Bonislawski, Editor with GenomeWeb, co-authors of Early Detection: Catching Cancer When It’s Curable. In addition to being a prolific NYC real estate developer and philanthropist, Mr. Ratner is the founder of the Michael D. Ratner Center for Early Detection of Cancer, a non-profit established in the name of his older brother who passed away from metastatic cancer. He also sits on the boards of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. This lunchtime interview will be moderated by John Leonard, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Innovation and Initiatives.
– A discussion on therapeutics with Barry Kappel, Ph.D. ‘06, Founder, President & CEO of Sapience Therapeutics, Inc.
– An update on a novel neurotech startup being formed by Nicholas D. Schiff, M.D. ’92, the Jerald B. Katz Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience and Professor of Neuroscience at the Brain and Mind Research Institute.
– A company update from Bernard Peperstraete, MD, MBA, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Acuamark Diagnostics, Inc., a liquid biopsy company that is optimizing qPCR and dPCR for early detection of cancer.
The conference takes place on-campus at Belfer Research Building, 413 E 69th St and will feature a startup expo and networking reception. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to meet WCM innovators and make impactful industry connections!
https://2024startupsymposiumwcm.splashthat.com/

Exploration of Venture Finances
2024-03-01 09:00 - 11:00 | CTL, 395 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
On March 1st, CTL is hosting Executive Director of Cornell’s Center for Regional Economic Development, Tom Schryver, who will be delivering a lecture to our current cohort of ignite Fellows for New Ventures on Exploration of Venture Finances.

Tri-Institutional Entrepreneurship Organizations: Helping to Launch Your Science to the Public
2024-03-15 18:00 - 20:00
Are you a graduate student or postdoc from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, or Weill Cornell Medicine who is interested in bringing your science to the public? Join us to meet the leaders helping to propel life science entrepreneurs ahead!
​Hosted by the startup venture group, Bioventure eLab, Life Sciences Technology and Innovation Fellows, Center for Technology and Licensing, and Postdoc Runway Startup Program, we invite you to learn about the incredible organizations that will help you along every stage of your entrepreneurial path.
​We will begin with an introduction from each organization followed by a Q&A from the audience. Following the Q&A, a fair-style approach in which each organization will be seated at a table to discuss more about the programs they offer with the audience will occur.
​Speakers representing each organization include:

Bioventure eLab – Loren Busby
​Life Sciences Technology and Innovation Fellows – Gregory Ray
​Center for Technology and Licensing – Lynda Inseque
​Postdoc Runway Startup Program – Tomer Joshua

​This is an incredible opportunity to learn about how to develop your science into a product that can directly impact the lives of others!
​Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided! Register now.

MedTech Innovations: Leveraging Cornell Alumni Expertise
2024-04-25 11:30 - 13:30
Careers Beyond Academia and the Center for Technology Licensing bring together alumni in the medical device space to provide a holistic view of that industry. The objective is to explore how established corporations and startup companies push forward medical device innovations into the market.
Our panel of guest speakers—industry-experienced alumni and professionals, and Cornell-affiliated startup founders —will share their expertise and experiences to highlight the diverse avenues to commercialization. It is also an occasion to hear their individual journeys and lessons learned.
This hybrid event is open to all (students, postdocs, and faculty researchers in any discipline), and it includes a networking session where in-person attendees can connect with speakers following the panel discussion.
Location: BioTechG01 @‌11:30am-1:30pm. Lunch will be provided. Register now!
About the speakers:

Anthony D’Amato, Co-Founder of Anova Biomedical & Ignite Fellow
David A. Putnam, Associate Dean for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, College of Engineering, Samuel B. Eckert Professor in Engineering at the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering and the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Cornell University
Josue Santana MS’19, Biomedical Engineer at the FDA
Fahimeh Tabatabaei, Study Director, iFyber
Moderator: Charles (Chase) Webb, Senior Practicant and PhD

CTL@WCM Special Panel: Leveraging Alternatives to Animal Models to Transform Drug Development
2024-05-30 12:00 - 13:00
CTL@WCM Special Panel: Leveraging Alternatives to Animal Models to Transform Drug Development
Date: May 30th, 2024, from 12-1 PM EST
Description: A new generation of human model systems are coming to the forefront of drug development, including novel organoid, microphysiological, and in silico platforms. With the passage of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 in 2022, these cutting-edge systems and are poised to gain increasing scientific, commercial, and regulatory acceptance in replacing data traditionally sought from animal models. But just how far can these systems go in displacing animals, and what commercial and regulatory challenges stand in their path? Join us as we convene a panel of experts in alternative human model systems to discuss their changing role in science and business.
Panelists:

Lowry Curley, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Axosim
Krista Durney, Ph.D., Associate Director, Innovation & Business Development at Valo Health
Kristin Bircsak, Ph.D., Principal Scientist at MIMETAS
Iris Bica, Business Development & Licensing Associate at Weill Cornell Medicine (Moderator)

Register now!

CTL Practicum Info Session #1
2024-09-06 12:00 - 13:00
The Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University (CTL) has historically benefited greatly from working with Cornell’s bright, passionate, and creative students whose many contributions have helped CTL translate Cornell’s innovations into products and services for the benefit of society. We are also proud to know those who have worked with us in the past have successfully leveraged their CTL experience into promising and successful careers in, among other areas, technology licensing, patent law, startups and business development.
To further enhance this mutually beneficial relationship, CTL is proud to introduce the CTL Practicum for Cornell graduate students.
The CTL Practicum is a paid program open to STEM and MBA graduate students (all campuses). We are seeking candidates who are available to work with us for at least 1 year, at a maximum of 10 hours per week. The practicants will be paid at an hourly rate. For the 2025 cohort, we are specifically looking for practicants with a background in the physical sciences or chemistry.
Join us for an info session describing the program and its benefits

Lab to Impact: IP & Commercialization #1
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00
Series #1 “Understanding the Commercialization Process”,
IP module
Join the leadership at CTL for the first series, where we focus on intellectual property and guide you through the essential steps of the technology commercialization process. You will gain insights into the end-to-end process, from initial invention disclosure to IP protection, licensing, and ultimately, commercialization. Learn how CTL’s support can help you maximize the impact of your research by successfully navigating the complexities of the commercialization journey.
Why Attend?
Explore the tech transfer process: with the essential steps for transferring academic innovations to the marketplace. This session will highlight the role of the CTL, providing an inside look at the collaborative process between researchers and tech transfer professionals. Understand the fundamentals of IP: Gain an initial understanding of the key elements of intellectual property law, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Learn how these protections serve as the foundation for securing the rights to your innovation. Marketing of IP: Learn how CTL words on developing compelling IP narratives that resonates with potential licensees, investors, and collaborators.
Register here

Lab to Impact: Commercialization and Venture Module on Founder's Equity
2024-11-20 12:00 - 13:00
Join the Cornell Center for Technology Licensing leadership for the Lab to Impact series, where we focus on intellectual property and guide you through the essential steps of the technology commercialization process. You will gain insights into the end-to-end process, from initial invention disclosure to IP protection, licensing, and, ultimately, commercialization.
Join Nabil Ullah, Senior Investment Analyst at Osage University Partners (OUP), for an in-depth workshop on Founder’s Equity, tailored for new founders navigating equity allocation among co-founders, advisors, and early employees. This interactive session delves into venture capital perspectives on university startup formation, covering essential topics like timing and strategies for equity distribution, determining equity splits, and understanding the potential impacts of poor allocation choices. We recommend attendees read OUP’s Solving the Equity Equation before the session.

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Information Session
2024-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
One of the four signature programs of Ignite Cornell Research Lab to Market gap fund series. Launched in 2022, Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program funds and trains Ph.D. and master’s holders with entrepreneurial outlooks to start technology ventures.
The program aims to build new solid businesses, grow entrepreneur scientists and engineers, advance technology commercialization, and enrich Cornell’s venture ecosystem by creating high-value startup companies based on the partnership of an Ignite candidate and faculty inventor.
Join this information session to learn more.

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Information Session #3
2025-01-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar

Lab to Impact: How a Supreme Court Ruling Impacts Patents
2025-01-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Online Webinar
Are you an inventor or entrepreneur that has patent applications? The rules of the game just changed.

A recent Supreme Court ruling has put a spotlight on the enablement requirement—a critical, but often overlooked, aspect of patenting. What is the enablement requirement? It is the need for patents to clearly and fully explain how to make and use the invention, ensuring the claims are understandable and replicable by others in the field.

Now, patents must fully explain the scope of their claims and innovators with CTL must adjust their strategies accordingly.

Join us for an insightful webinar with Yvonne Shyntum, Partner at Pabst Patent Group, where you’ll gain practical insights into the ruling and how to stay ahead in this evolving landscape.

What you’ll learn:

What the Supreme Court’s new interpretation of enablement means for your patents.
Practical strategies for crafting strong, compliant patent applications.
Insights from a seasoned expert in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents.

About the speaker: Dr. Yvonne Shyntum is a leading IP attorney with extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
About the Host: Dr. Gene Masters directly with Cornell innovators in protecting their IP on behalf of Cornell and is a registered patent attorney with extensive expertise in patent filings in the life sciences innovation.

Don’t miss this learning opportunity on future-proof your patents (RSVP)

Ignite Connect 2025
2025-02-04 12:00 - 14:00
We are delighted to extend an invitation for the Ignite Connect: Accelerating Impact, one of the new signature events of the Ignite Cornell Lab to Market program series. This virtual event serves as a unique venue to connect investors, industry partners, and stakeholders with technology innovations and companies that have benefited from the Ignite Gap Funding Program.
Date: February 4, 2024
Time: Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Online (Register here)
About the event:
Ignite Connect is an opportunity to explore and engage with researchers and founders around their technologies and ventures emerging from Cornell University.
This dynamic virtual experience aims to create connections and serves as a catalyst, bridging innovative technologies with resources and opportunities for meaningful impact.
Agenda Highlights:

12-12:10p: Welcome by Alice Li

12:10-12:30p: DeRisking Spotlight

12:30-1:30p: Pitch Sessions

1:30-3:00p: Networking

Find Your Track:
Therapeutics
MedTech
Energy and Environment
Engineering and Digital
Five to six technology or startup presentations per track. Visit our website for more details.

Lab to Impact Health Module: From Discovery to Diagnostics, Navigating Biomarker Commercialization
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:00
Wednesday, February 19 | 12 – 1 p.m. ET | Virtual
Interested in understanding the journey from biomarker discovery to real-world healthcare applications? Researchers and innovators are invited to this insightful discussion on navigating the path from discovery to commercial success in the biomarker and diagnostics space.
Industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs will share practical insights on identifying commercially viable biomarkers, early-stage validation, test development, regulatory pathways, and integration into clinical practice. Whether you’re considering commercialization or actively developing diagnostic solutions, this panel offers valuable perspectives on turning promising research into market-ready products.
Moderated by Iris Bica, a Business Development and Licensing Associate for the Center of Technology Licensing at Weill Cornell Medicine, the panel will feature:

Dan Klass, Senior Director of Emerging Technologies, Freenome

Marieke Spaan, Senior Director Corporate Development, SkylineDx

Daniel Lunz, CEO & Co-Founder, Previse

RSVP here

Lab to Impact Health Module: Thought Leader Series at Cornell Tech
2025-03-10 18:00 - 21:00 | Cornell Tech, New York City, 2 West Loop Road, New York, NY, 10044, United States
Monday, March 10 | 6- 9 p.m. ET | Tata Innovation Center, Cornell Tech
Unlocking the Future of Blockchain with Emin Gün Sirer
Join us for a dynamic in-person event at Cornell Tech as part of the Lab to Impact: Thought Leader Series – where visionaries share their insights into the future of innovation.
The Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell is thrilled to host Emin Gün Sirer, Founder and CEO of Ava Labs, for a fireside chat on the latest trends in blockchain technology and its transformative impact on the world. The conversation will be moderated by Martin Teschl, the Director of Business Development and Licensing for CTL.
The event will take place in the Tata Innovation Center, Room 123. The fireside chat will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a networking reception to follow at 7:30 p.m. Register for the event.

Translating Your Discoveries into a Powerful Preclinical Data Package
2025-03-25 12:00 - 13:30
Weill Cornell Medicine Enterprise Innovation will be hosting a virtual panel focused on the critical aspects of preclinical drug discovery. The panel will feature experienced biotech investors and industry scientists who will provide guidance on the key steps involved in de-risking a novel drug development idea. This program will be useful to Weill Cornell researchers interested in starting a drug discovery project or optimizing existing compounds for the purpose of attracting commercial partnership or investment interest.
What you’ll learn:

Criteria for choosing therapeutic target, drug modality, and clinical indication with significant unmet need
Key stages of drug discovery, including high throughput screening, hit finding strategies, and choosing a lead compound
Understanding the differences between small molecule and biologics discovery campaigns
Assessing the target product profile (TPP), including safety liabilities, efficacy benchmarks, dose finding, pharmacokinetics, and appropriate “therapeutic benchmarks”

Register for the virtual event.

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Information Session
2025-03-28 12:00 - 13:00
Ignite Innovation Acceleration provides grant funding to Cornell labs that are working to advance their innovations toward licensing, startup formation, or industry partnerships. The program is open to inventions disclosed to CTL from Ithaca, Geneva, or Cornell Tech.

Funding up to $50,000 is provided in the form of project-specific grants with no payback requirement.
Attend this information session to learn more about the opportunity. Register for the info session.

Weill Cornell Medicine Biomedical Innovation Conference
2025-04-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Uris Auditorium, 1300 York Avenue, New York, 10065, United States
The 2025 Weill Cornell Medicine Biomedical Innovation Conference brings together academic founders with investors, industry representatives, entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners with the expressed goal of finding opportunities to connect and collaborate. The conference is a rare opportunity to meet a diverse group of life science inventors and spinout companies across therapeutics, device, digital health and diagnostic sectors. All Weill Cornell Medicine-affiliated inventors are encouraged to participate. In addition, select startup companies from the Upper East Side ecosystem, including Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and surrounding hospitals, as well as startups where faculty serve as CMOs and Scientific Advisors, are also in attendance.
Over the years, this event has been a proven catalyst for direct investment from early-stage investors, co-development relationships with industry, and introductions to experienced management teams. Please contact Loren Busby (lob4002@med.cornell.edu) for more information.
Register for the event.

Lab to Impact: Medical Device Commercialization - A Journey from Breakthrough Research to Patient-Ready Technology
2025-04-08 13:00 - 14:00
Check out the recording for this event here.
Join the Center for Technology Licensing for a virtual session focused on medical device innovation and regulation.
Bringing groundbreaking medical devices from concept to patient care is no small feat. It requires a careful balance of scientific ingenuity, strategic development, and regulatory compliance. Join us for an exclusive panel discussion featuring top experts who have successfully navigated this complex landscape.
This session will provide invaluable insights into the journey from idea to market-ready medical technology, covering key aspects such as:

Navigating the FDA approval process

Balancing innovation with regulatory requirements

Strategies for successful device development

Emerging challenges in the medical device industry

Whether you’re considering a new idea, commercialization, or actively developing medical device solutions, this panel offers valuable perspectives on turning promising research into market-ready medical devices.
Meet the expert panelists:

Mark Melkerson – Former FDA Deputy Director, Office of Health Technology / CDRH / ODE; Principal, MNM Consulting

Thomas Roueche – President & CEO, Fesarius Therapeutics

Jason Spector, MD – Chief, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine; Co-Founder, Fesarius Therapeutics

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Information Session
2025-04-11 12:00 - 13:00
Ignite Innovation Acceleration provides grant funding to Cornell labs that are working to advance their innovations toward licensing, startup formation, or industry partnerships. The program is open to inventions disclosed to CTL from Ithaca, Geneva, or Cornell Tech.

Funding up to $50,000 is provided in the form of project-specific grants with no payback requirement.
Attend this information session to learn more about the opportunity. Register for the information session.

Venturium '25 - Academic Venture Showcase
2025-04-23 11:30 - 14:30
Venturium’25 is a virtual, half-day showcase for spinouts from several academic institutions across the USA. The selected companies are actively raising a pre-seed or seed round to drive development and commercialization.
​Why Attend? This one-of-a-kind event allows our audience of venture capital, venture studios, accelerators, incubators, and industry to explore a curation of companies and innovation technologies.
​Attend to meet academic spinouts from Cornell University, Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, Northeastern University, Rutgers University, University of Connecticut, University of Louisville, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University St. Louis.
​A full agenda for Venturium’25 containing the company names and contact information will be published in the coming weeks. The event will be split into two sessions that run in sequence: Physical Sciences & Life Sciences.
​Timing of event:

​11:30-11:45 | Meet the Academic Instituions Powering Venturium’25
​11:45-12:35 | Physical Sciences Showcase
​12:35-12:45 | Break
​12:45-2:25 | Life Sciences Showcase
​2:25-2:30 | Closing Remarks

​Join us to have the opportunity to discover new ventures, form strategic partnerships, and contribute to the growth of these companies. This event is a valuable platform for networking, learning, and fostering meaningful collaborations.
Register for the event.

Lab to Impact: Intellectual Property Module - Navigating AI-Assisted Innovation: Best Practices for Academic Researchers
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00
Join the Center for Technology Licensing for a virtual session focused on the practical implications of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools into academic research and innovation.
As AI becomes an integral part of research methodologies, it is essential for researchers to understand how to properly document and manage AI’s role in the invention process, ensuring intellectual property (IP) rights are protected.
This session will provide valuable guidance on how to navigate the evolving landscape of AI-assisted research, covering key topics such as:

Strategic approaches to incorporating AI tools in your research workflow
Best practices for documenting AI assistance during invention conception and development
Practical guidelines for maintaining transparent records of AI interactions (prompts and outputs)
Protecting IP potential while leveraging AI capabilities
Understanding the concept of hybrid inventorship in the AI era

Guest speaker:

David Sanker: Founder of Sanker IP
David will provide actionable insights and practical frameworks for researchers looking to optimize their use of AI while safeguarding their intellectual property interests.

Hosted by Martin Teschl, Director of Business Development and Licensing at CTL.
Whether you’re considering a new idea, commercialization, or actively developing a technology, this event offers valuable perspectives on turning promising research into market-ready solutions.

Lab to Impact: Healthcare Module - From Bench to Market: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Drug Commercialization
2025-06-04 12:00 - 13:00
Join the Center for Technology Licensing for a dynamic panel on the real-world path from innovation to therapeutic impact.
Industry leaders and biotech entrepreneurs, including Weill Cornell inventors and founders of licensed startup Convergent Therapeutics, will share an insightful discussion on navigating the path from the laboratory to the patient in the drug development space. Whether you’re considering commercialization or actively developing potential new drugs, this panel offers valuable perspectives on turning promising research into new therapies.
Our expert panelists will share practical insights from every stage of the process—from discovery and development, preclinical research, and clinical trials to FDA review and post-market safety monitoring. You’ll gain a better understanding of how regulatory strategy and market access shape the journey, and how successful teams overcome common barriers to bring therapeutics to market.
What to expect:

Key insights into regulatory and market access strategy
Lessons from successful therapeutic launches
Real-world examples of collaboration and adaptation
Expert perspectives across the full drug development lifecycle

Guest speakers:

Alexander Brown, COO of Convergent Therapeutics
Dr. Neil Bander, CSO, Co-Founder of Convergent Therapeutics
Dr. Philip Kantoff, CEO, Co-Founder of Convergent Therapeutics
Dr. Scott Tagawa, Professor of Medicine in Urology at Weill Cornell Medicine

Hosted by Brian Kelly, Director of Technology Licensing, CTL at Weill Cornell Medicine
Whether you’re considering a new idea, commercialization, or actively developing a technology, this event offers valuable perspectives on turning promising research into market-ready solutions.

Lab to Impact: Understanding the Technology Commercialization Process
2025-09-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join the leadership at CTL for the first series, where we focus on intellectual property and guide you through the essential steps of the technology commercialization process. You will gain insights into the end-to-end process, from initial invention disclosure to IP protection, licensing, and ultimately, commercialization. Learn how CTL’s support can help you maximize the impact of your research by successfully navigating the complexities of the commercialization journey.
Register here.

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Fall 2025 Information Session
2025-10-10 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-03 12:00 - 13:00
Ignite Innovation Acceleration is a gap funding program offering up to $50,000 to help Cornell research teams advance disclosed inventions toward commercialization. Funding supports work that moves technologies toward licensing, startup formation, or industry partnerships.
Applications are open from September 22 to November 7, 2025.
This session will provide an overview of:

Program goals and funding scope

Application process and timeline

Eligibility and selection criteria

How this program fits into the Ignite: Lab to Market funding series

Register here.

Lab to Impact: From Idea to Prototyping and Design in Medical Devices
2025-10-29 12:00 - 13:00
Prototyping is a critical step in translating medical device concepts into real-world solutions. Whether you’re working in a university lab, building a startup, or managing development inside a large company, understanding how to prototype effectively can reduce risk, save time, and guide better design decisions.
This one-hour virtual panel will explore the strategic role of prototyping across stages of development, from early testing to scalable production. Panelists will share experiences from both clinical and industry perspectives.
Speakers:

Audrey Beckman – Medical device executive with 35+ years of experience in product design leadership

Mohammed Fouda, MD – Clinician-innovator at Weill Cornell Medicine, developing a novel medical device

Moderator:Donna Rounds, PhD – Associate Director of Business Development and Licensing, CTL at Weill Cornell Medicine
Register for the October 29 panel discussion.

Lab to Impact: The Path to Commercializing Semiconductor Technology
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/lab-to-impact-the-path-to-commercializing-semiconductor-technology
Join leading experts from industry and academia as they explore the critical pathway from semiconductor innovation to commercial success.
This panel will address key challenges and opportunities in bringing new semiconductor technologies to market, including scaling challenges, manufacturing partnerships, and funding strategies. Speakers will share insights on bridging the gap between academic research and industrial applications, securing strategic partnerships, and navigating the complex landscape of chip fabrication and testing.
Register here.

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Info Session 1
2025-11-21 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/ignite-fellow-for-new-ventures-info-session-1-2025-26
Ignite Fellows for New Ventures is the flagship PhD & master’s‑level fellowship in Cornell’s Lab‑to‑Market gap‑fund series. Since its 2022 launch, the program has supported entrepreneurial scientists and engineers ready to turn research into high‑impact startups.
We’re now recruiting our 5th annual cohort, open to master’s graduates, doctoral candidates, and PhD holders. Fellows are matched with a Cornell faculty inventor and receive up to $120,000 in funding. They join as full‑time Cornell employees, working in the lab and engaging with our incubator network for business development.
This is your opportunity to build a business, lead as a founder, advance technology commercialization, and enrich Cornell’s venture ecosystem. Whether your ambition is to become CEO, CSO or CTO—or to apply your entrepreneurial mindset to bold new discoveries—Ignite is designed for you.
What we look for:

Big‑vision innovators who take calculated risks

Scientists or engineers ready to lead a venture

Partners who want to work alongside a Cornell faculty inventor

What you’ll get:

Funding up to $120 K to support you and your early‑stage work

Mentorship and training through Cornell’s startup ecosystem

Access to faculty lab resources, the incubator network, and startup infrastructure

Register here.
