NextCorps and SecondMuse launch programs to help clean energy startups accelerate hardware manufacturing

NextCorps, a business incubator for early-stage through growth-stage startups and manufacturing businesses, and SecondMuse today launched programs that will help clean energy hardware innovators successfully scale their technology, from product prototype to mass production. The programs will ensure startups and local manufacturers have the resources to produce emerging clean energy technologies in New York State. Rochester-based NextCorps’ Hardware Scaleup program will serve businesses in upstate New York, while New York City-based SecondMuse’s M-Corps program will serve businesses downstate.

Manufacturing is the most misunderstood step in launching a new hardware product. It’s also the most complex, time-consuming and costly phase in commercializing new technologies. The Hardware Scaleup and M-Corps programs will help startups and manufacturers work closely together to overcome the manufacturing obstacles that keep emerging technologies from fulfilling untapped market demands for cleaner, more efficient, and less-costly energy use.

Founded in 1987, thee New York-based NextCorps, also known as High Tech Rochester,  helps tech startups and existing manufacturers grow their businesses through a variety of programs and mentoring opportunities. NextCorps provides a suite of services, including technology commercialization support for very early-stage opportunities, business incubation for high-growth potential startups, and growth services, for manufacturing companies seeking to improve their top- and bottom-line performance.

SecondMuse a collaboration agency that works with visionary cities, governments, organizations and startups to build future economies. Over the past five years, SecondMuse’s New York City team has worked with New York City Economic Development Corporation to build the city’s hardware ecosystem through Futureworks. The program has supported more than 100 early- and growth-stage hardware startups as well as a network of a dozen prototyping spaces.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has provided $4 million in support for the programs, which will help develop, launch, and scale innovation among startups while helping advance the state’s clean energy and emission reduction goals.

Inspired by the National Sciences Foundation I-Corps program and world-class hardware accelerators, Hardware Scaleup and M-Corps will provide entrepreneurs with a rigorous process, immersive training and the necessary support over 12 to 18 months. The manufacturing readiness roadmap they develop will allow startup teams to quickly and cost-effectively move their clean energy hardware into production.

Startups with clean energy hardware prototypes are encouraged to apply to the program nearest to their location by Oct. 11, 2018 (by 11:59 EDT) for Hardware Scaleup and Oct. 8, 2018 for M-Corps. A limited number of startups will be selected to participate in the first cohort, with programs starting in November.

Interested startups can apply to or learn more about SecondMuse’s M-Corps program by visiting manufacturenewyork.com.