Cornell’s Ignite Innovation Acceleration program supports inventors, early-stage innovations

Six Cornell inventors have been selected for the spring 2025 cycle of the Ignite Innovation Acceleration program, a gap funding initiative that helps researchers advance early-stage technologies to the next inflection point on the path toward commercialization, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.

Managed by Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing (CTL), the program provides funding to prepare early-stage technologies for licensing, startup formation or industry collaboration. Since its launch four years ago, the Innovation Acceleration program has helped execute 29 licenses and options for technology advancement.

“Too often, high-potential technologies stall before reaching the marketplace because of a lack of gap funding for translation,” said Alice Li, executive director of CTL. “The Ignite Innovation Acceleration program provides that critical boost at just the right moment, helping our inventors build protypes for potential impactful products.”

This spring’s cohort includes projects in robotics, advanced materials, agriculture, biotechnology, AI for medical education and veterinary medicine.

Learn more in the Chronicle.

Cornell Ignite fellows bring lab discoveries closer to market impact  

Three new research projects — a treatment for childhood ear infections, an AI-powered tool to link databases and a novel gene editing method for therapeutics — will receive funding and training to transform university research into new ventures and products that can benefit society.

These projects and the Cornell inventors behind them were selected for the Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program, which helps transform promising technologies into startups that can benefit society. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported 15 research-based projects and graduated six startups. More projects are expected to graduate to form new ventures in the coming months. 

The program is managed by Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing (CTL), which supports researchers and innovators in translating discoveries into startups. “Cornell researchers are dedicated to tackling critical problems for the greater good,” said Alice Li, executive director at CTL. “This program accelerates their way into society where they can truly make a difference.” 

The 2025 Ignite Fellows and their projects include:

Middle Ear Immune Therapy

Wenjing Tang

Fellow: Wenjing Tang, Postdoctoral Associate

Faculty: Rong Yang, Associate Professor at R.F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Middle ear infections are one of the most common reasons children are prescribed antibiotics, but standard oral treatments can cause side effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance. This project is developing a new method for delivering antibiotics directly and non-invasively into the middle ear, using specially designed particles to target the infection site in a single dosage. This approach aims for safer, more effective treatment with fewer systemic side effects and no negative impact on auditory function. Yang received Cornell’s Ignite Innovation Acceleration funding in 2024, which helped advance the technology’s early-stage research toward commercialization.

SwellDB

Victor Giannakouris Salalidis

Fellow: Victor Giannakouris Salalidis, Ph.D. student 

Faculty: Immanuel Trummer, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science

In large organizations, analysts often struggle to analyze data that is scattered across different formats — from structured databases to raw files, documents or webpages. Identifying relevant sources, integrating them and extracting insights can be a time consuming and technically complex process. SwellDB, a generative AI-powered data system, addresses this challenge by using large language models to simplify the way users interact with disparate data sources. The system allows users to pose natural language questions and, in response, autonomously finds, retrieves, and organizes relevant data across formats and locations. By making data analysis more intuitive and accessible, SwellDB supports faster and more confident decision-making in fields ranging from healthcare to business intelligence.

RNA-Guided Transposons

Robert Wingo

Fellow: Robert Wingo, Ph.D. student

Faculty: Joseph Peters, Department Chair and Professor of Microbiology at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)

Precise DNA editing is critical for developing new therapies and improving agriculture. However, most current gene-editing tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, cut both strands of DNA, which can lead to unintended mutations or cell damage. This team is developing a safe and accurate tool inspired by natural bacterial systems, called transposons, capable of delivering new, complex genes to precise locations without cutting the DNA in two. The technology could lead to more effective treatments for genetic diseases, improved cancer therapies, and advancements in biotechnology and agriculture. Peters also received Ignite Innovation Acceleration funds in 2024 and 2025, which helped the team pursue venture creation. 

This story was originally published in the Cornell Chronicle.

 

Blockchain platform securely digitizes public records 

Ava Labs, a Cornell-licensed startup and global leader in blockchain technology, is powering the largest deed tokenization project in U.S. history. Through a partnership with Balcony, a real estate infrastructure company, Ava Labs’ Avalanche blockchain platform will be used to digitize 370,000 property records valued at $240 billion across Bergen County, New Jersey. This project showcases how Avalanche’s secure, energy-efficient, and customizable blockchain can modernize critical public infrastructure, cutting deed processing time by over 90% while reducing fraud and administrative errors. 

Originating from research in the lab of former Cornell professor Emin Gün Sirer, Avalanche was licensed through Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing and became the first startup to join the Praxis Center for Venture Development. With applications already extending into DMV services, disaster management, and digital media, Ava Labs continues to demonstrate the real-world impact of Cornell-born innovation in transforming legacy systems and advancing trust, transparency, and efficiency across sectors. 

Read the story here. 

Cornell-licensed startup Bactana acquired by Kemin Industries to accelerate global impact in animal health 

Bactana Corp., a Cornell-licensed biotechnology startup developing postbiotic solutions to improve intestinal and metabolic health, has been acquired by global ingredient manufacturer Kemin Industries. The acquisition positions Bactana to expand the reach of its microbiome-based innovations, particularly in the animal health sector, and brings its research-driven technology closer to global commercialization. With a foundation in Cornell research and support from the UConn Technology Incubation Program, Bactana has made significant strides in isolating beneficial anaerobic bacteria and developing sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in livestock and companion animals. 

This acquisition marks a major milestone in Bactana’s journey from lab to market, highlighting the value of academic innovation and early-stage incubation in driving breakthrough technologies. With Kemin’s global footprint and manufacturing expertise, Bactana is now poised to scale its impact and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for animals — and potentially humans — worldwide. 

“We are incredibly grateful to our employees, advisors, and shareholders for their continued support and confidence in our vision over the past six years,” said John Kallassy, CEO of Bactana Corp. “This agreement, coupled with Kemin’s global reach, will help us better position our technology for global application—particularly in the animal health sector—and improve the well-being of animals, and potentially people, around the world for years to come.” 

Read the news here. 

Cornell-licensed Ecolectro partners with Re:Build Manufacturing to expand renewable hydrogen production 

Ecolectro, a Cornell-licensed startup advancing clean energy innovation, has announced a strategic partnership with Re:Build Manufacturing to scale production of its breakthrough anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers. The collaboration will enable rapid assembly of Ecolectro’s systems in New York and Pennsylvania, supporting deployment across the U.S. and significantly reducing the cost of producing renewable hydrogen, an essential fuel for decarbonizing heavy industry, transportation, and chemical sectors. 

Based on a decade of Cornell research, Ecolectro’s technology eliminates the need for costly precious metals and PFAS “forever chemicals,” lowering hydrogen production costs and environmental impact. The company’s on-site production model has already proven successful in pilot projects, achieving hydrogen costs well below the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2030 target. With support from NYSERDA and deep ties to Cornell’s innovation ecosystem, Ecolectro is helping lead the transition to a more sustainable hydrogen economy while driving clean tech manufacturing and job creation in the Appalachian region. 

“Renewable hydrogen is essential for decarbonizing industries, but high production and distribution costs have been a significant barrier to adoption,” said Dr. Gabriel G. Rodríguez-Calero, CEO and co-founder of Ecolectro. “This partnership with Re:Build accelerates manufacturing, helping us deploy our electrolyzers at sites across the U.S. to make renewable hydrogen a scalable, cost-effective solution for industrial use, fueling stations, and energy storage. The partnership will allow us to deliver electrolyzers today, while maintaining a customer-driven and disciplined approach to manufacturing.” 

Read the news here. 

Cornell emerges as a leader in semiconductor innovation  

Gallox Semiconductors, a Cornell-licensed startup, is pushing the boundaries of power electronics with its gallium oxide-based semiconductor technology — and gaining global recognition in the process. The company recently won the 2025 Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge in the Advanced Computing & Electronics category, affirming the potential of its innovation to power more efficient, compact, and environmentally sustainable devices. 

Gallox’s chips could transform sectors such as space tech, aviation, and electric vehicles by replacing silicon carbide with more energy-efficient gallium oxide. As the first company in the world to commercialize this technology, Gallox represents the leading edge of a growing cluster of semiconductor startups emerging from Cornell labs.  

Founded by Jon McCandless, Ph.D. ’23, with faculty co-founders Debdeep Jena and Huili Grace Xing, Gallox commercialized research conducted at Cornell and scaled through CTL’s Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program and Praxis Center for Venture Development incubator. With support from the Department of Defense, partnerships like NORDTECH, and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility, Cornell is cementing its position as a national hub for deep tech innovation in microelectronics. 

Read the story here. 

 

Kanvas Biosciences harnesses the power of the microbiome

Kanvas Biosciences, a Cornell-licensed startup founded during the early days of the pandemic, is pioneering a new class of microbiome-based therapeutics that could transform cancer treatment. Co-founded by Hao Shi, Ph.D. ’20, biomedical engineering professor Iwijn De Vlaminck, and microbiologist Matt Cheng, the company is built around a Cornell-developed imaging technology, HiPR FISH, that maps the microbiome in unprecedented detail. Licensed through the Center for Technology Licensing, the innovation is now powering a new generation of live biotherapeutic drugs aimed at boosting the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. 

“As we’re building this company, we found that this technology we developed was ideally suited as a platform to develop microbiome therapeutics,” said  De Vlaminck, associate professor of biomedical engineering in Cornell Engineering. 

Kanvas’ lead candidate, KAN-001, acts like a synthetic stool transplant, mimicking the microbiome of “super donors” who respond exceptionally well to immunotherapy. Early studies in mice have shown that the drug outperforms actual donor material in enhancing treatment response, with human clinical trials on the horizon. The startup is also advancing a second candidate to manage colitis, a common side effect of immunotherapy. With roots in Cornell research and early support from the Center for Life Science Ventures, Kanvas exemplifies how academic innovation can shape new therapeutic frontiers and improve patient outcomes. 

Read the story here. 

Cornell-licensed startup DRYFIBER partners with AGC Chemicals to launch sustainable textile repellent 

DRYFIBER, a startup based on patented polymer chemistry developed at Cornell University, has partnered with AGC Chemicals Americas to commercialize the first non-fluorinated oil and water repellent for nonwoven fabrics and technical textiles. This breakthrough coating provides a high-performance, sustainable alternative to conventional fluorinated repellents and is expected to enter full commercialization in 2026. The technology offers a safer, more environmentally friendly solution for industries such as automotive, healthcare, filtration, and industrial fabrics. 

The new coating technology works by creating a microscopically rough surface on textiles that repels oil-based stains and fluids, allowing for easy cleaning. DRYFIBER’s collaboration with AGC is a major step toward replacing traditional chemistries with sustainable innovations — aligning with growing global demand for greener materials. As a Cornell-licensed company, DRYFIBER exemplifies the impact of university research when coupled with industry partnerships and CTL’s mission to bring science-based innovation to market. 

“Developing a working relationship with AGCCA has been instrumental in launching this innovative, patented technology. It addresses a critical industry need for non-fluorinated repellents that deliver exceptional performance. Together, we’re setting a new standard for stain resistance and leading the industry in the transition to a more environmentally friendly future,” added Jack Roe, managing director, DRYFIBER. 

Read the news here.

Cornell Researchers Launch Vaccine Startup After Ignite Programs

Cornell researchers recently published a study on a proprietary new vaccine platform that could provide better protection from COVID-19 and different strains of influenza. In the study, mouse models showed no visible signs of illness and no cellular damage to tissues after vaccination with the new platform. 

Senior author Hector Aguilar-Carreno’s lab received two $25,000 Ignite Innovation Acceleration grants from the Center for Technology Licensing to develop the vaccine platform. 

David Buchholz, a former graduate student in the lab, formed a startup called VIVA Viral Vaccines, Inc. around the innovation. He launched the company after graduating from the Ignite Fellow for New Ventures program, which provides Ph.D. and master’s holders a $120,000 annual funding package to pursue ventures based on Cornell-licensed technologies. Buchholz graduated from the program in January 2025. 

Read the full story on the Cornell Chronicle. 

Anova Biomedical Secures Top Prize at FuzeHub Competition

The grand prize winner of the Fuzehub 2024 Commercialization Competition, held during the New York State Innovation Summit, was Anova Biomedical Inc., a current Center for Life Science Ventures member and a former Life Science Technology Innovation Fellow and Ignite Fellow. Among the seven prize winners, five were Cornell-supported entrepreneurs. 

Anova Biomedical Inc., a startup developing the first fully synthetic and bioresorbable vascular grafts to improve the standard of care of patients, was the grand prize winner of $150,000. 

“This award enables us to work with the Center of Excellence in Advanced and Sustainable Manufacturing at RIT to build a new, cutting-edge graft manufacturing device that will improve our manufacturing scale and quality. The award will also fund our next round of preclinical studies with grafts made using this new device, said Anthony D’Amato, Co-founder and CEO of Anova Biomedical. “Together, this award represents a significant maturation of the company where we can focus on operating with the rigor, quality, and attention to detail that the development of a life-saving medical device requires. 

D’Amato, is a recent graduate of the Center for Technology Licensing’s Ignite Fellows program. The program pairs Cornell faculty inventors with fellows to merge cutting-edge research with practical implementation. Upon graduation, Anova Biomedical joined the Center for Life Science Ventures to continue progressing in hopes of outside investment and ultimately achieving self-sufficiency.  

“The team at the Center for Life Science Ventures and their continued support and mentorship helped me polish the business and commercialization aspects of my pitch. Their experience and advice are a tremendous enabler for Anova’s recent successes”, said D’Amato. 

FuzeHub, a not-for-profit organization that supports small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York State, hosted its eighth Commercialization Competition this year. Twelve startups competed for the chance to win $50,000 by pitching their business plans to a panel of judges with the opportunity to win the $150,000 grand prize.   

During the Summit, finalists pitched the commercialization potential of their startup’s product or technology to a panel of judges. The award funds must be used to improve an existing prototype, enabling the company to pursue further investments and customers, leading to their product’s commercialization. Anova Biomedical’s commitment to remaining in upstate NY and creation of quality jobs in the medical device field, an underdeveloped sector for the region, set them apart in the competition.