Luminate
luminate.orgLuminate awards $3 million annually to 10 companies developing emerging solutions enabled by optics, photonics, and imaging technologies. The program targets startups across AR/VR, cybersecurity, defense, healthcare, IoT, quantum computing, autonomous vehicles, and other industries.
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See If You're a MatchInvestment Thesis
Luminate is the world’s largest accelerator focused exclusively on optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI)-enabled technologies across nearly all industries. The organization believes in providing early-stage companies with proven lab-scale technologies the capital, expertise, and ecosystem access needed to bridge the ‘valley of death’ between laboratory innovation and global commercialization. Their approach emphasizes deep integration with the world-class Rochester OPI ecosystem, providing not just funding but strategic mentorship, investor connections, and access to specialized facilities.
What Sets Them Apart
- Only international startup accelerator focused exclusively on optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) technologies
- Located in Rochester, NY—home to the highest concentration of OPI patents per capita, 150+ OPI companies, and $3B in annual OPI sales
- Access to University of Rochester Institute of Optics (produces 60% of US Optics PhDs), RIT's Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, and AIM Photonics headquarters
- Hybrid 7-month program model with primarily remote participation and select in-person weeks in Rochester
- Deep integration with the most robust optics, photonics, and imaging supply chain in the nation
- Matched mentorship from an advisory board of 16+ industry pioneers and leaders
- Multiple investor exposure—30+ pitch opportunities including Samsung, Sony, Corning, J&J, and Launchpad Ventures Boston
- On-site lab facilities including fully-featured R&D optics lab, electronics lab, fabrication lab with 3D printers, and wet labs
Portfolio Highlights
SeeTrue Technologies
Ar Vr
Labby Inc.
Agtech
Double Helix Optics
Materials Metrology
Bounce Imaging
Defense
Circle Optics
Imaging
EmGenisys
Agtech
iLof
Imaging
Oculi
Ar Vr
+ 31 more companies in their portfolio
Investment Team
8 Partners at Luminate
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