Empire State Development Announces Winners Of 2026 New York State Commercialization Competition
Four New York Companies Awarded $430,000 to Help Bring New Technologies and Products to Market
Competition Supported Through ESD’s NYSTAR Division and FuzeHub’s Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund
Under Governor Hochul’s Leadership, New York Continues to Support Entrepreneurs and Early-Stage Businesses Across the State
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the four winners of the 2026 New York State Commercialization Competition, awarding a total of $430,000 to early-stage companies developing new products and technologies in industries ranging from medical devices and emergency response to food and environmental technology. Hosted by FuzeHub as part of the New York State Innovation Summit, the annual competition supports entrepreneurs working to bring promising ideas to market. The competition is supported through ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the FuzeHub Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, with additional funding under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership allowing for increased award amounts this year.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is making strategic investments to help entrepreneurs turn promising ideas into successful businesses. This year’s Commercialization Competition winners represent the creativity and talent driving our state’s economy, developing new technologies that can improve lives, address real-world challenges and create new opportunities for growth. By helping these companies take the next steps toward commercialization, we’re supporting the next generation of New York businesses and the jobs they will create.”
Empire State Development Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) Executive Director Ben Verschueren said, “New York State innovators are building companies that will create jobs and strengthen our economy for decades to come. This year’s Commercialization Competition winners are great examples of the potential existing in industries like biotechnology, food and clean tech. We’re proud to back them with investments to help bring their promising ideas to market.”
FuzeHub Innovation Fund Manager Patty Rechberger said, “Every year, I’m amazed by the ingenuity and tenacity of New York’s innovators. This year’s winners have developed exciting technologies with tremendous potential, and we’re proud to help them move closer to market. It’s a privilege to have a front-row seat as their companies grow and their innovations begin to make a difference in the world.”
Nine entrepreneurs from across New York State competed for four awards during the 10th annual Commercialization Competition. The grand prize-winning company received $150,000, the runner-up received $110,000, and two additional companies were awarded $85,000 each.
The first-place team and the winner of the $150,000 grand prize is CaroRhythm (New York City)
CaroRhythm First-in-Patient Prototype Validation
One in four stroke survivors will have another stroke. That next stroke is often more severe. Survivors are most vulnerable in the first month after discharge, and have only a single virtual follow-up during that time. CaroRhythm makes continuous, at-home stroke risk monitoring possible through a wearable medical device, CaroSense. This device is designed to track blood flow and notify survivors, care partners, and clinicians to stroke onset. This allows survivors to reach the hospital in time for life-saving treatment. Around 1.9 million neurons die every minute due to stroke. CaroRhythm makes each minute count.
The runner-up team was awarded $110,000: Lucent EMS Solutions (Long Island)
Lucent EMS Solutions
Emergency medical responders may spend an hour transcribing patient care reports after a single 911 call, keeping ambulances off the road and draining crews after long shifts. An average agency pays thousands of dollars in overtime weekly to crew members for hundreds of hours of paperwork. Lucent EMS Solutions solves this with a hands-free sidekick that captures clinical data in real time, immediately logs treatments, and drafts complete, highly accurate reports for crew review. By cutting documentation time to under 10 minutes per run, Lucent eliminates transcription errors, saves substantial administrative costs, and gets ambulances back in service faster.
The two additional teams will receive $85,000 each toward their startup ventures:
Eggstraordinary (Southern Tier)
Commercialization of Eggiyo by Eggstraordinary
Busy mornings often force a choice between convenience and nutrition, pushing many people toward sugary cereals or skipping breakfast altogether. Eggstraordinary is changing that with Eggiyo, an egg-based breakfast cereal designed to deliver the nutrition of a whole egg — without having to crack one. Eggiyo is gluten-free and dairy-free, delivering complete protein and fiber in a familiar breakfast format. The product has already shown its potential, winning the 2025 Eggcelerator competition. Rather than empty carbs, Eggiyo is poised to introduce a new breakfast category, where busy families can trust what’s in the bowl.
CarbonCLAIR (New York City)
Commercial Metal Scale-Up of CarbonCLAIR’s Mobile Air Treatment Platform
Construction and infrastructure work creates dust, fumes, and odors that can affect workers, nearby communities, and project schedules. CarbonCLAIR is building mobile, electric air-treatment systems for contractors, municipalities, and facility operators. Its equipment captures polluted air near the source and removes dust and selected fumes, including in tight workspaces. During a pilot with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection, the system reduced airborne dust by 70% and removed 95% of vapors and odors passing through it. CarbonCLAIR is developing a durable metal platform to make this low-energy approach easier to deploy repeatedly across New York.
The New York State Innovation Summit celebrates New York State leadership in technology-led economic growth. Companies and researchers at the forefront of emerging technologies and new advancements in production capabilities were showcased while current technology convergence opportunities, ways to accelerate commercialization, and issues of manufacturing sustainability were explored.
During the Summit, finalists demonstrated the commercialization potential of their product or technology and competed against each other for one out of four awards. Award funds must be used to improve an existing prototype, enabling the company to pursue additional investments and customers, and leading to the commercialization of their product.
About Jeff Lawrence
During his more than 20 years at the Center for Economic Growth, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate in the Capital Region where he served as executive vice-president and MEP center director, Jeff Lawrence directed programs of direct assistance to manufacturers and technology companies to increase their competitiveness. He is remembered for being an invaluable and generous mentor to many in the area’s business community and a tireless advocate for manufacturing innovation throughout New York.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
About FuzeHub
FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York’s small and mid-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York’s robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR).
For more information on FuzeHub, visit FuzeHub.
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