Grant Awards Support the Goals Established by the Nurture NJ Strategic Plan

PRINCETON – First Lady Tammy Murphy and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) CEO Tim Sullivan today announced the Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) awarded a combined $1.7 million in grants to 23 New Jersey-based start-ups focused on developing technology, therapeutics, and other solutions to address maternal and infant health challenges. The grant funds support the research and development (R&D) of technologies, products, and services that will enhance the quality of care and service delivery activities to women, infants, and health care agencies. 

“New Jersey is home to some of the most innovative startups in the nation, and it is a privilege to acknowledge their exciting new developments in maternal and infant health,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “The startups receiving awards today will carry on our critical work to ensure New Jersey is the safest and most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby and ultimately, continue to transform the health care industry beyond the Murphy administration. And, with the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center currently in development in Trenton, our state’s capital city will serve as an innovation hub ensuring these types of businesses are fostered on a grander scale for years to come.”

“Under Governor Murphy and First Lady Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is exploring innovative solutions to make the Garden State the safest place to give birth, while addressing racial disparities in maternal and infant health,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “These grants will invest in vital programs, research, and services that will enhance the well-being of women and children, and reduce racial inequities in access to health care. Additionally, we are creating more opportunities for young, innovative businesses in the in the state, helping create jobs and a stronger, more diverse economy.”

The grants were awarded through Round 2 of CSIT’s Maternal and Infant Health R&D Grant Program. Through the program, CSIT will advance the innovation economy through the development of critically necessary research, products, and services designed to support maternal and infant health. This effort supports the goals established by the Nurture NJ Maternal and Infant Health Strategic Plan, which aims to make New Jersey the safest, most equitable state in the nation to deliver and raise a baby. 

In line with Governor Murphy’s vision to create the most diverse and inclusive innovation economy in the nation, the awardees announced today represent a diverse group of entrepreneurs focused on supporting maternal health in New Jersey. Nearly 29 percent of awardees are self-reported minority-owned startups and 46 percent are self-reported women-owned businesses. 

The following startups within New Jersey’s life sciences, technology, and non-retail food and beverage sectors were each awarded grants of up to $75,000:

1. Neoventech, LLC (North Brunswick)
2. PONS (Newark)
3. Pumpkin Baby, Inc. (Lawrenceville)
4. Primo Pharmatech, LLC (Somerset)
5. NeoGeneStar, LLC (Warren)
6. HeraNano Therapeutics (Sewell)
7. Vitruviae, Inc. (Nutley)
8. UCHU Biosensors, Inc. (Newark)
9. Smartbody, LLC (Teaneck)
10. Thrivo Health, LLC (New Brunswick)
11. Delphine Diagnostics, Inc. (Newark)
12. Gosia Genomics, Inc. (Kearny)
13. Mycsology Foods, Inc. (Princeton)
14. Ricovr Healthcare, Inc. (Princeton)
15. Quarks Advantage Group (Jersey City)
16. High Throughput Biology, Inc. (Short Hills)
17. Analytical Diagnostic Solutions, Inc. (Mount Laurel)
18. InteguRx Therapeutics, LLC (Califon)
19. Neoneur, LLC (Pennington)
20. Ability HUB, Inc. (Princeton)
21. AfsarTech, Inc. (Rutherford)
22. Within Health Technologies, LLC (Hopewell)
23. Medifvu, LLC (Somerset)

“We are honored to once again collaborate with First Lady Murphy and our partners across the state to support the vital and lifesaving efforts of the Nurture NJ initiative. We have seen great outcomes from Round 1 of the Maternal and Infant awardees and look forward to continuing this important work,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “By helping these startups move their products and services from concept to commercialization, we will create a lasting impact on the quality of care for New Jersey’s mothers and infants. The awardees are developing a range of drug, diagnostic, hardware, and software solutions to improve maternal and infant health.”

Launched in 2019 by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, Nurture NJ is a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and ensure equitable care among women and children of all races and ethnicities in New Jersey. A key component of this initiative is the establishment of the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC). Based in Trenton, the MIHIC is being developed in partnership with the NJEDA, the Office of First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA), which will oversee day-to-day operations of the Center.

“The startups being recognized today will help strengthen New Jersey as an innovation hub while driving improvements in maternal and infant health across the state,” said MIHIA Chief Executive Officer & President Lisa Asare. “These grants represent a significant step forward in advancing cutting-edge solutions that will ensure more equitable access to care for women and infants, especially in underserved communities. By supporting these startups, we are laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable improvements in maternal and infant health in New Jersey, and continuing our work to make NJ the safest and most equitable place to give birth and raise a child.”

“CSIT is thrilled to continue our partnership with First Lady Murphy, the Maternal and Infant Health Authority, and the NJEDA on this vital initiative that will support babies and their families by leveraging the innovative capabilities of New Jersey startups to tackle critical maternal and infant healthcare challenges,” said CSIT Board Chair, Debbie Hart. “In Round 2 of the program, 23 companies have received $1.7 million in funding to advance their projects, creating solutions where they are urgently needed.”

“On behalf of Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs, I would like to thank First Lady Tammy Murphy, NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan, and other State and local officials for hosting this year’s Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology Maternal and Infant Health R&D Seed Grant Awards here among our scientific entrepreneurship community,” said Melina Blees, Director of Business Operations and Strategy at the BioLabs for Advanced Therapeutics. “This award ceremony shines a well-deserved light on maternal and infant health — a critical scientific and social issue with both acute individual and long-term public health implications. Here at Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs, we partner with Princeton University to provide equipment, space, support, and community to world-class scientists and entrepreneurs, supporting our dozens of member startups who are hard at work on a wide range of groundbreaking technologies, from photonics to preeclampsia detection. Tackling these challenges and driving both scientific progress and social change holds critical importance for our families, our communities, our health care systems, and for the next generation.”

“The NJCSIT Seed Grant will provide vital capital, to move our CrossCare application from the proof of concept phase, to a usable minimum viable product. It has been extremely difficult to obtain seed funding and we were very close to giving up,” said Dr. Alexandria Massey, DNP, MPH, MBA, Founder of SmartBody LLC. “NJCSIT has given us the opportunity to create a grass-roots solution born from the ground up, not pushed from the top down.  We can now bring to market, a solution based in community level engagement and lived experiences, to effect change in the care of women and babies throughout the state.”

“This grant represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges parents face with breastmilk storage and preservation. Through innovative research and community partnerships, PumpKin Baby aims to provide families with the tools and knowledge they need to successfully navigate their breastfeeding journey,” said Justin Silpe, Co-Founder of PumpKin Baby Inc. “Supporting my wife through our breastfeeding journey left me not only concerned as a partner but deeply dissatisfied as a scientist with the lack of data and evidence-based information available surrounding household practices. We are deeply indebted to our NJ friends, partners, employees, and most importantly, the milk donors who continue to show up across New Jersey—their contributions are essential to our mission of helping more families among the 60% who currently don’t meet their breastfeeding goals achieve success.”

About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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TRENTON, N.J. (January 3, 2025) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) awarded over $500,000 in funding to seven New Jersey startups under the Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program. The funding will support startup companies in the development of commercially viable technologies that combat food insecurity, helping to increase access to nutritious foods and alleviate food deserts.

“CSIT continues to provide robust support to early-stage startups in New Jersey, creating an unrivaled innovation ecosystem that strengthens the state’s economic competitiveness,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “The grant awardees announced today are developing technologies and products that will promote New Jersey’s food security initiatives, keeping the state at the forefront of innovation.”

“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey’s startup companies are developing important technologies that exemplify the state’s position as a national leader in innovation,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The ingenuity of the state’s entrepreneurs compliments the food security efforts of the NJEDA, supporting innovative solutions to eradicate food deserts and increase access to healthy, affordable food.”

The Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program supports the development of technology and other solutions to address food insecurity in New Jersey. Awardees are developing new technologies in target areas including agricultural innovation and pesticide efficiency.

“Congratulations to the seven grant awardees,” said CSIT Chair and BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. “Through initiatives such as the Food and Agriculture Research & Development Pilot Seed Grant Program, CSIT is proud to play a pivotal role in supporting early-stage start-ups in New Jersey, cultivating a vibrant innovation ecosystem that fuels economic growth and competitiveness. We commend these companies for their work in developing potentially groundbreaking technologies and innovative solutions to address food insecurity and related issues across the State and that could become solutions for the world.”

A full list of awardees can be found below:

1. AGEless Biotechnologies (Bergen County): Developing applications for a multi-functional protein modification platform, which offers functional improvements to various protein-based products in the biomedical and food sectors.
2. Fork & Goode, Inc. (Hudson County): Creates cultivated pork by using a patented process that maximizes yield.
3. Gather Agriculture, Inc. (Hudson County): Develops food resiliency on farms by building simplified robotic tools for farms and farmworkers to increase harvest efficiency and farmworker safety.
4. Hydronos Labs LLC (Mercer County): Developing and providing a key structured data layer for the global weather and climate risk transfer market via its TerraCognos software platform, which uses the complementary strengths of satellite observations, ground-based sensor networks, computational climate reanalysis, advanced hydrologic modeling, and short-term to seasonal weather forecasting.
5. Inspired Growing, Inc. (Hudson County): Harnesses cutting-edge indoor vertical farming technology to directly combat food insecurity in New Jersey while fostering healthy eating habits.
6. Mycsology Foods Inc. (Mercer County): Developing a solid-state fermentation technology platform to produce nutrient-dense, high-protein ingredients, unlocking previously indigestible and inaccessible nutrients from legumes and grains to create sustainable ingredients and foods.
7. Neoventech LLC (Mercer County): Improving pesticide application efficiency to ensure more effective pest control, leading to increased crop and fruit yields, increased overall food availability, and reduced risk of shortages.

About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Expanded website showcases massive volume of research being conducted statewide

TRENTON, N.J. (December 18, 2024) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced the expansion of the website for ResearchwithNJ from five to eight leading research institutions, resulting in more than 365,000 pieces of research output and close to 7,000 researcher profiles. The robust platform, used globally, connects companies, faculty, and entrepreneurs with the goal of growing more academic research and business collaborations.

The recent site expansion adds participation by all New Jersey urban research university and medical schools spending greater than $5 million in research and development funding annually. Stevens Institute of Technology was added to the site in late 2023. With the recent expansion, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine has been added to the platform, and Kean University will be added to the site in December 2024.

The expanded ResearchwithNJ site offers details about research taking place at Kean University, Hackensack Meridian, Montclair State, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Princeton University/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Rowan University, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

The expansion of ResearchwithNJ’s website will add hundreds of research outputs, faculty profiles, research facilities, grants, and award publications to the site. The site provides local, national, and international innovation communities with insight into groundbreaking research being conducted at New Jersey universities.

The free, online portal offers more than 365,000 pieces of research output and profiles close to 7,000 investigators that commercial enterprises, from startups to global corporations, can use to fuel their growth. Topics range across a broad spectrum of disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, and others.

“Our close ties to both the startup community and the state’s many academic institutions made the management of ResearchwithNJ by CSIT a natural fit,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “We anticipate this expansion of ResearchwithNJ, combined with our ongoing efforts to expand outreach to emerging companies and academic professionals, will help strengthen connections between New Jersey’s research universities and the industry.”

ResearchwithNJ highlights the Garden State’s leading research experts and facilities, enhancing the visibility of research output. It also increases opportunities for users to create partnerships and build innovative new businesses and products based on the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs. Businesses can gain access to relevant areas of expertise, facilitating the transfer of technology to the marketplace. This includes information on subject matter experts, facilities, publications, intellectual property, news, and events. Investors considering investing in a startup can also leverage ResearchwithNJ to learn about research done by members of the company prior to investment.

“One of New Jersey’s greatest assets is our vast network of globally recognized universities, including all of the academic institutions that are a part of the ResearchwithNJ portal,” said CSIT Vice Chair Debbie Hart. “Through ResearchwithNJ, we are harnessing the brainpower of our state’s highly talented researchers and providing their intellectual data, free of charge, to individuals worldwide in order to help propel our innovation ecosystem forward.”

To date, the ResearchwithNJ platform has sourced nearly 365,000 outputs from all participating universities, incorporating more than 6,800 individual profiles, over 160 core facilities, and grants/projects topping 12,700.

“ResearchwithNJ is bridging academia and industry to amplify the impact of institutional research being done across New Jersey,” said Dr. Brian Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education. “By showcasing our researchers and intellectual capital, it positions the state as a hub for innovation and collaboration, fosters opportunities for students and faculty to engage impactful industry-relevant projects, and showcases how higher education is actively working to solve real-world challenges.”

“We are excited to launch Research with Hackensack with the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology and the State of New Jersey. The platform will be piloted with data from the Center for Discovery Innovation and the School of Medicine. The global platform will showcase our renown researchers, research outputs, grants/projects, and research units with the aim of building research/business collaborative and partnerships,” said Dr. Sandra Elliot, Vice President, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. 

“Kean University is proud to join ResearchwithNJ, a global site that will highlight the rich and robust STEM-based research outputs, faculty, facilities, grants/outputs at the university. As the university strives toward R2 status, implements on recent prestigious Federal Grants to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Sciences and computational science fields, and builds greater commercialization pathways for research entrepreneurs, our inclusion onto Research with NJ further validates the academic rigor of our university,” said Dr. Keith Bostian, Associate Provost, Science and Technology, Kean University, CEO, Institute for Life Science Entrepreneurship.

“Stevens Institute of Technology’s integration into ResearchwithNJ reflects our commitment to making transformative research accessible to industry partners and entrepreneurs,” said Ed Synakowski, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at Stevens Institute of Technology. “With our research spanning artificial intelligence, climate resilience, sustainable energy and healthcare innovation, Stevens is experiencing unprecedented growth in research funding under our Strategic Plan. This partnership with ResearchwithNJ creates new pathways for companies to tap into our expertise and accelerates the translation of academic discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit New Jersey and beyond.”

ResearchwithNJ was developed under the leadership of an Advisory Board consisting of the participating research universities and industry representatives from the NJEDA, OSHE, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Choose New Jersey, BioNJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, the R&D Council of New Jersey, and TechUnited. The Advisory Board provides oversight and recommendations to ensure the portal’s sustainability and success.

About CSIT
In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.com and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Since 2020, over $21M awarded to nearly 370 businesses across both grant programs

TRENTON, N.J. (October 15, 2024) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) has awarded a combined $3 million in grants to 41 New Jersey startups through its Round 3 Catalyst Seed Research and Development (R&D) Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant programs. The awards will help young companies accelerate the development of their technologies and transform discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable products and services.

“Supporting New Jersey startups through grant initiatives like the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and the Clean Tech Seed Grant will help create a robust economy for the future and advances Governor Murphy’s vision for the state,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Nurturing companies in their early stages allows them to establish a foundation in New Jersey, setting the stage for long-term financial growth, sustainability, and economic mobility.”

Companies awarded grant funding are developing innovations in medical devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), software development, film and digital media, and non-retail food and beverage. Since 2020, CSIT has awarded 368 companies grants totaling over $21 million.

“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has dedicated significant resources to help young, innovative companies get their products to the marketplace, allowing the state to emerge as a premier destination for startups,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “These CSIT grant programs enable entrepreneurs to obtain funding for essential research and technologies that enhance our society, generate high-paying jobs, and strengthen New Jersey’s standing as a leader in equitable, diverse, and transformative innovation.”

CSIT’s Round 3 Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program has awarded 26 early-stage startup companies a total of $1.95 million in funding through grants of up to $75,000 for companies developing innovations in various fields, including manufacturing, transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences, non-retail food and beverage, finance and professional services, and technology sectors. These sectors have all been identified as targeted industries in Governor Murphy’s economic development plan. Of those receiving awards from CSIT, 70 percent of awardees have six or fewer employees, 22 percent are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 19 percent of the awardees are located in an Opportunity Zone.

“New Jersey’s startups are amongst the best in the nation and place the State at the forefront of innovation and conservation,” said CSIT Chair and BioNJ Founding President and CEO Debbie Hart. “The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant Programs reinforce the State’s commitment to its small businesses and nurture advancements in a range of innovation areas, including life sciences, technology, and clean tech sectors. We have seen early-stage companies leverage CSIT funding 15.5X in follow on funding thereby advancing and accelerating their development trajectory.”

A total of $1.1 million in funding has been awarded to 15 companies chosen in Round 3 of the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program. The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program, which was jointly developed by CSIT and the NJEDA, provides grants to early-stage, New Jersey-based clean technology companies to help them advance the development of their products and services so they can begin finding investors and generate revenue. 87 percent of awardees have five or fewer employees. Additionally, 27 percent of the awardees are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 47 percent of the awardees are located in an Opportunity Zone.

Funding for the Clean Tech Seed Program is provided through the Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Program to advance clean energy innovation and help New Jersey achieve our goals of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

A full list of awardees can be found below:

Catalyst Seed Grant Awardees:

1. AlphaROC Inc. (Essex County): Built a suite of AI-powered tools leveraging unique data sets to help investors gain customized, unbiased insights into a business’ present and future economic health.
2. ANJO.AI INC. (Bergen County): Pioneered a revolutionary technology for the early detection of life-threatening allergic reactions, specifically Anaphylaxis.
3. Balcony Technology Group, Inc. (Hudson County): Developing groundbreaking shift in managing and safeguarding real estate data.
4. BioNanoTech, LLC (Mercer County): Developing new class of IMAC nanoresins that provide high purity in a single-step separation of both cytosolic and membrane proteins.
5. Conduiit (Hudson County): Building a film and television tax incentive rule engine that will give a variety of stakeholders the ability to better audit their qualified expense spending.
6. ConductInk, LLC (Burlington County): Developing technology provides the end-user the flexibility to design and create specific diseased-state models tailored to their drug candidate.
7. Dandelion Science Corp (Hudson County): Developing a novel therapeutic to apply AI-generated algorithms to visually stimulate the brain and retrain it to compensate for central vision loss.
8. EnaChip, Inc. (Somerset County): Developing a groundbreaking innovation revolved around a proprietary high frequency electroplated multilayer magnetic alloy, which is highly versatile and tailored to diverse applications.
9. Endomedix, Inc. (Essex County): PlexiClot™ is designed for use as an absorbable hemostat, initially for use in brain and spinal procedures.
10. Fuceltech (Mercer County): Developing a special type of lasers for atomic and quantum sensors including quantum computing applications.
11. Heal R World, LLC (Somerset County): Developing an innovative fintech card program pilot.

12. Innovations Unlimited LLC (Camden County): Developing an alarm that alerts caregivers of a pending or actual dislodgement or decannulation of a tracheostomy tube.
13. MIRAKARE INCORPORATED (Middlesex County): Developing a platform that integrates both quantitative and qualitative health data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the care recipient so that the caregivers can better care for them.
14. NeuroPair, Inc. (Mercer County): Technology can provide the necessary environment for guided neuron regrowth.
15. Next Breath, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing innovative technological approach to managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and anxiety in a unique, user-friendly mobile application.
16. Novara Solutions Group, LLC (Monmouth County): Developing groundbreaking Emergency Tourniquet device that seamlessly integrates a GPS call-out system with a biosensor to provide a comprehensive solution for critical situations.
17. Oculomotor Technologies Inc. (Mercer County): Developing medical diagnostic software utilizing commercially available virtual reality headsets with integrated eye trackers for diagnosing various vision problems.
18. Plumeria Therapeutics Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing diagnostics for chronic pain.
19. Serdiuk Industries, LLC (Atlantic County): Developing specialized technology market catering to Drone/UAV/Air Taxi Launching and Landing Operations on marine vessels.
20. SNOChip, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing disruptive optical components and sensors by leveraging innovative metasurface technology.
21. TacIton, LLC (Monmouth County): TacIton is a data management platform that automates manual work and increases financial analyst productivity.
22. Talon Biomarkers (Morris County): Flow cytometry assesses cell-associated proteins, determining the quantity of various cell types.
23. TLA Innovation, Inc. dba BoomID (Bergen County): Developing SAAS Platform for ensuring proper authorization, fraud prevention, and good, healthy user interactions.
24. VINYO (Camden County): Developing a mobile learning and engagement app helping to make wine more approachable, accessible, and inclusive for the next generation of wine lovers.
25. Vital Start Health, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developed the first reproductive and maternity mental health platform (COURAGE) using Virtual Reality for evidence-based care.
26. ZSX Medical, LLC (Burlington County): Developed a breakthrough surgical closure platform with a focus on women’s health, specifically for closing internal surgical incisions in laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Clean Tech Grant Awardees

1. 4.0 Analytics (Essex County): Developing machine learning based predictive analytics for use on fleet and consumer vehicles to identify potential vehicle engine and emissions component failures.
2. Biodome, Inc. (Burlington County): Developing sustainable, modular indoor farming units.
3. CargoFish, LLC (Salem County): Developing energy-efficient, network capable “capillary” gage “encapsulated” system of “tracks” for delivery of consumer goods and a “containerized parcel” utility system.
4. Energy Research Company (Union County): Developing an instrument that will increase the efficiency of converting renewable biomass feedstocks.
5. Gendell Associates P.A (Hudson County): Develop a compact pop-up emergency solar power generator.
6. Grid Discovery (Essex County): Developing SaaS platform to automate and standardize the traditionally complex and time-consuming microgrid planning process.
7. HiT Nano, Inc. (Burlington County): Developing a full cell SIB system for use in low-cost electric vehicles (EVs).
8. Materium Technologies, LLC (Union County): Develop technology for development of materials and techniques that can extend the lifespan and enhance the performance of solar panels and semiconductor devices.
9. Oceanomics, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developed a suite of metabolite, protein, and DNA-based biomarkers that are diagnostic of thermal stress in corals.
10. PureLi, Inc. (Somerset County): Developing a sustainable and cost-effective extraction technologies for lithium from saline water sources such as Produced Water, brines, and post-processing waste streams.
11. Redi Farms, LLC (Union County): Repurpose underutilized buildings into vertical, hydroponic farms that serve local communities.
12. RenewCO2, Inc. (Union County): Developed a cutting-edge electrocatalytic carbon utilization technology (eCUT) that forms C-C bonds at exceptionally low overpotentials so that the energy requirement is substantially reduced relative to competing technologies.
13. Shutterbug Exchange, Inc. (Hudson County): Revolutionizing the solar industry by revitalizing outdated solar panels through advanced upcycling methods.
14. Singlet02 Therapeutics, LLC (Union County): Developing a water disinfection technology for use in aquaculture.
15. Sunray Scientific, Inc. (Monmouth County): Developing a unique multifunctional material/product that utilizes a magnetic field system during the manufacturing process.

About CSIT

In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the State as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization. Visit www.njeda.gov/csit/ for more information about CSIT incentive programs.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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$2M+ in Grant Funding will be Available to Startups Developing Food and Agriculture or Drug Therapeutic Innovations

TRENTON, N.J. (May 31, 2023) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) will open applications on June 5 for two seed grant programs. Both the Food and Agriculture Research & Development (R&D) Pilot Seed Grant Program and Round 2 of the Catalyst R&D Seed Grant Program are designed to help New Jersey startups accelerate their R&D from the research stage to commercially viable products and services.

Governor Phil Murphy’s economic development plan, “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer NJ Economy,” identifies life sciences and food and beverage (non-retail) as two of the strategic sectors for accelerating growth in New Jersey’s economy. These seed grants programs will support New Jersey startups in these vital sectors. 

WHAT: CSIT plans to open applications for the following programs on June 5 at 9:00 a.m. EDT:

• The Food and Agriculture R&D Pilot Seed Grant Program is a $750,000 competitive grant program supporting innovative technological solutions designed to improve food security statewide. The program will offer grants of up to $75,000 to startups working on food and/or agriculture-related innovation in the life sciences, technology, and food and beverage (non-retail) sectors. Complete eligibility requirements can be found here. The application will be available here until July 14, 2023.
  
• The $1.5 million Round 2 of CSIT’s Catalyst R&D Seed Grant Program will provide grants of up to $150,000 to New Jersey startups that are developing life sciences therapeutics. The grant funds should enable applicants to make significant progress and have a meaningful impact on their commercialization outcomes. Complete eligibility requirements can be found here. The application will be available here until July 14, 2023.

Informational Webinar: CSIT will host an informational webinar about both of these programs on June 5 at 4:00 p.m. Registration for the webinar can be found here. A recording of the webinar will be available on each program’s website.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov/csit and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Total includes over $500K recently awarded to 17 startups

TRENTON, N.J. (February 16, 2023) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) has awarded a total of $2.425 million in matching grants to more than 80 startups since 2020 through its NJ Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Direct Financial Assistance Program. The program supports startups that are receiving funding from highly competitive federal research and development (R&D) grant programs as they work toward commercialization. The $2.425 million in funding includes $525,000 that was awarded 17 startups through the program’s fourth funding round.

The federal SBIR and STTR grant programs provide more than $3 billion each year to small businesses in a variety of technology and life sciences arenas that propose innovative ideas that meet specific federal R&D needs as they explore their technological potential. Thirteen of the 17 awardees announced today are currently in Phase 1 of, or have received a Fast-Track or Phase II designation from, the federal SBIR/STTR programs. Each of these awardees will receive up to $25,000 through the NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program. The grants are intended to help awardees increase intensity of research, strengthen commercialization plans, cover operational expenses, and become more competitive for Phase II funding. These awardees include:

• Atux Iskay Group LLC (Princeton, Mercer County)
• AuresTech Incorporated (Bridgewater, Somerset County)
• Dina Pharma, Inc (Peapack-Gladstone, Somerset County)
• Enalare Therapeutics (Princeton, Mercer County)
• Farm to Flame Energy Inc. (West Orange, Essex County)
• Innovative AI Technologies LLC (Newark, Essex County)
• Mallika Ashwin Maya Corporation (Bridgewater, Somerset County)
• Misram LLC (Holmdel, Monmouth County) 
• Neutroelectric, LLC (Camden, Camden County)
• Paragon Flavor, Inc (Princeton, Mercer County)
• Regenosine Inc (Princeton, Mercer County)
• ShockTech (Mahwah, Bergen County)
• SingletO2 Therapeutics LLC (New Providence Borough, Union County)

The other four awardees announced today have each completed Phase I or more of the federal SBIR/STTR programs and have applied for Phase II federal funding. Each of these awardees will receive bridge grants of up to $50,000 through CSIT’s Bridge Funding program.  

• Bezwada Biomedical, LLC. (Hillsborough, Somerset County)
• Impact Business Information Solutions, Inc (Princeton, Mercer County)
• Optimeos Life Sciences, Inc (Princeton, Mercer County)
• Venarum Medical, LLC (Eatontown, Monmouth County)

“New Jersey startups are creating cutting-edge technologies that will have both far-reaching and long-lasting effects on the worldwide stage and we are proud to connect them with access to the capital they need to succeed,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Our state’s blend of highly talented workforce and proximity to both a high concentration of scientists and research universities make us an attractive location for startups looking to scale their operations. The NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program is a perfect complement to those assets.”

Awardees in the latest round of NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program funding range from clean technology startups to companies focused in such areas as aerospace, gene therapy, drug discovery, and sustainability and nutrient content of packaged foods. Sixteen of the 17 awardees had fewer than 10 employees at the time of application. Twelve out of the 17 awardees had fewer than five employees.

“This grant program is specifically designed to support the smallest of startups competing in the global marketplace,” said CSIT Chair Debbie Hart. “By helping grantees maximize their federal funds, we are enabling them to scale their operations and focus on commercializing their products. This, in turn, will lead to grantees expanding their presence and creating good paying jobs in the Garden State.”

State Senator Robert W. Singer and Assemblyman P. Christopher Tully played critical roles in securing the funding needed to support startups through the NJ SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program.

“As our innovation ecosystem continues to emerge from COVID-19, it’s more important than ever that we provide our startups the tools they need to compete in the global economy,” Senator Singer said. “This is a great step in helping New Jersey be a leader in technology.”

“An economy fueled by innovation is never just about ideas or human ingenuity alone. It’s about fostering an ecosystem where these ideas can transform into something tangible,” said Assemblyman Tully. “From our groundbreaking medical research to our technological advancements, these grants further demonstrate New Jersey is a proven home for small startups to grow and prosper.”

About CSIT

In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the state as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.

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