Ignite Innovation Acceleration Info Session 3
2024-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Applications Open for the 2024 Spring Cycle of Ignite Innovation Acceleration!
The Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Cornell University recently announced the opening of the Ignite Innovation Acceleration Spring 2024 Cycle, designed to propel Cornell University research innovations from the lab bench to the marketplace. As part of the Ignite: Cornell Research Lab to Market gap funding series, this program is dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientific breakthroughs.
Don’t miss one of our upcoming information sessions to learn about the program and the application process.
Register for Info Session 3 here.
Key Highlights

Selected projects will be awarded up to $50,000 in grants, aiming to bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world application.
This funding is tailored to advance your inventions towards vital milestones, including licensing, startup formation, and industry partnerships.
pen to research labs across Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses, focusing on disclosed, active CTL inventions.

Applications open on April 1, 2024, and will be accepted until May 17, 2024.

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

Ignite Fellows for New Venture Info Session #4
2025-02-12 12:00 - 13:00
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) at Cornell University has launched the Ignite Postdoc for Ventures program–one of the four signature programs of Ignite Cornell Research Lab to Market gap fund series–in January 2022 to fund and train candidates with entrepreneurial outlooks to start technology ventures based on groundbreaking Cornell invention portfolios.
For this fourth annual recruitment, the program will accept master graduates, PhDs and candidates. The goal of the program is to build strong new businesses, grow entrepreneur scientists and engineers, advance technology commercialization, and enrich Cornell’s venture ecosystem by creating high-value startup companies based on the partnerships of an Ignite candidate and faculty inventor. With the strength of Cornell based on its founding principal “… any person … any study”, this program allows any aspiring entrepreneurs to find the right innovation among the broad range of great discoveries made in the lab and the diversifying body of faculty innovators. The program de-risks the entrepreneurship journey by providing a funding package of up to $120,000 which includes salary compensation of the fellow and funding to conduct basic experiments. As a Cornell employee, the fellow will be eligible to the benefits accessible to any Cornell employees.
We are looking for candidates who dream big and take risks, want to become a CEO, CSO, or CTO founder, and want to take their entrepreneurial skills to the next level.
Register for the info session 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.

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.

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Info Session 2
2025-12-17 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/ignite-fellow-for-new-ventures-info-session-2-december-17

Ignite Connect 2026: Accelerating Impact
2026-01-29 12:00 - 14:00
Join us for Cornell’s annual virtual forum spotlighting investment-ready university technologies and venture teams. Ignite Connect features a curated lineup of startups backed by gap-funding programs that have advanced beyond early validation and are actively seeking investment, strategic partnerships, or licensing opportunities.
Ideal for pre-seed/seed investors, corporate venture teams, and innovation scouts, the event includes a spotlight address, four thematic pitch tracks, and opportunities to schedule one-on-one meetings with founders and faculty innovators.
Register here.

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Info Session 3
2026-01-30 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/ignite-fellow-for-new-ventures-info-session-3-2

Ignite Fellow for New Ventures Info Session 4
2026-02-20 12:00 - 13:00 | https://ctl.cornell.edu/event/ignite-fellow-for-new-ventures-info-session-4-2026

Ignite Innovation Acceleration Spring 2026 Information Session
2026-03-13 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 March 13 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 2
2026-03-27 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 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.
