Center For Technology Licensing

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Spring 2026 Information Session 2
2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
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 March 2 to April 24, 2026.
Who Should Apply?

Cornell faculty

Postdoctoral researchers

PhD innovators

Research teams developing technologies with commercial potential

Join our next info session on March 27 at noon. 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.

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Spring 2026 Information Session 3
2026-04-10 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 March 2 to April 24, 2026.
Who Should Apply?

Cornell faculty

Postdoctoral researchers

PhD innovators

Research teams developing technologies with commercial potential

Join our next info session on April 10 at noon. 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: The Rocky Road to Instant Ice Cream
2026-04-29 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/lab-to-impact-the-rocky-road-to-instant-ice-cream
Join us for a discussion on the journey from scientific breakthrough to commercial success in food technology.
Using the evolution of instant ice cream as a case study, this session explores what it takes to move from lab innovation to a product people trust, adopt, and buy.
Our speakers—spanning academia, entrepreneurship, and industry—will share firsthand perspectives on navigating regulatory requirements, scaling production, and building a viable business around novel food technologies.
We’ll cover:
• Bridging research and commercial viability
• Navigating food safety regulations
• Scaling production while maintaining quality
• Building consumer trust
• Securing investment and partnerships
Speakers: Syed Ruzvi, professor at Cornell CALS, and Aris Despo, seasoned tech entrepreneur. Hosted by Marie Donnelly, Business Development and Licensing Manager at CTL.
Register here.

Lab to Impact: The Hard Reality of Building a Biotech Startup - A CEO's Perspective
2026-05-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/lab-to-impact-the-hard-reality-of-building-a-biotech-startup-a-ceos-perspective
What does it take to build a biotechnology company that advances early academic assets into a therapy used at the bedside, while overcoming the scientific, clinical, and financial hurdles along the way?
In this session, Laurence Blumberg, MD, MBA, a physician and serial biotech entrepreneur, shares a candid perspective drawn from decades of experience founding biotechnology companies and advancing scientific discoveries into clinical development. As founding CEO of Syntimmune, he guided the company through early clinical development before its acquisition by Alexion in 2018 for up to $1.2 billion. Earlier, he co-founded Syntonix Pharmaceuticals, where his early strategic vision helped shape a protein engineering platform later acquired by Biogen in 2007. That platform ultimately enabled the development of Eloctate and Alprolix, long-acting therapies for hemophilia A and B that have significantly improved care for patients with bleeding disorders.
This conversation examines the operational and strategic realities of building a therapeutics company. Topics will include:

Understanding the structure of the biotechnology ecosystem
Developing a rigorous Target Product Profile and market thesis
Deciding when to build internal capabilities versus leveraging external partners such as CROs and CDMOs
Securing the capital and strategic partnerships required to advance therapies through development

Researchers, physicians, and aspiring bioentrepreneurs are invited to join this candid conversation.
Hosted by Lynda Inseque, director of Technology & Venture Initiatives and Engagement at CTL.
Register here.

Bearers of Innovation 2026
2026-05-20 11:30 - 13:45 | NY
Bearers of Innovation: A One Cornell Celebration is an annual, invitation-only celebration recognizing Cornell researchers and inventors who took a meaningful step forward in the technology commercialization journey — whether by disclosing a technology for the first time or reaching a licensing milestone.
This year’s celebration honors inventors from FY2024 and FY2025 across Cornell’s Ithaca and New York City campuses, bringing together the broader Cornell innovation community to recognize the work that moves discoveries from the lab toward real-world impact.
Attendance is by invitation only. Invitations are extended directly to recognized inventors by CTL leadership and the Business Development and Licensing team.
