FuzeHub Commercialization Competition (Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund)
FuzeHub — New York State's Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Up to $150,000
NY tech/mfg startup commercialization grants
Annual pitch competition for pre-revenue manufacturing and technology startups in New York State. Up to $150,000 in non-dilutive grant funding for companies with a tangible prototype ready to move from lab to market. Finalists present at the New York State Innovation Summit in October. Open to for-profit manufacturers and tech companies at the pre-seed, pre-revenue stage — no prior FuzeHub relationship required. 2026 applications open July 6.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $150,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awardees receive between $50,000 and $150,000. Past competitions have awarded 5–7 companies per cycle with total pr…
- Deadline
- 2026 applications open July 6, close August 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
- Status
- active
- States
- NY
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- Company must be physically located and operating in New York State
- At least one founder must reside in New York State
- Company must be at pre-revenue AND pre-seed stage — no external investment or revenue-generating customers yet
- Must have an existing tangible prototype (not just a concept or business plan)
- Must be registered with Dun & Bradstreet with an eligible manufacturing or technology NAICS code
- If awarded, company must remain domiciled in New York State for at least 12 consecutive months following the award announcement
- Company must be a for-profit entity
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Location restriction: New York State
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Prototype improvement and further development
- Product testing, validation, and certification
- Go-to-market strategy development and execution
- Equipment necessary for prototype manufacturing scale-up
- Engineering services for product refinement
- Market research and customer discovery activities
- Intellectual property protection (patent applications)
Ineligible expenses
- General business operating expenses unrelated to prototype development or commercialization
- Salaries not directly tied to the funded project activities
- Equipment or activities incurred before grant agreement execution
- Activities outside New York State
- Lobbying or political activities
How to apply
-
1
Register on the FuzeHub SmApply portal
Create an account at fuzehub.smapply.io when the portal opens July 6, 2026. Complete the organizational profile including D&B registration and NAICS code confirmation.
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2
Submit written application and pitch materials
Complete the application describing your prototype, the manufacturing or technology innovation, target market, commercialization plan, and how the grant will be used. FuzeHub provides a PowerPoint template and guidance video to standardize submissions. Applications close August 10, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
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3
Reviewer screening and finalist selection
Applications screened by FuzeHub judges. Finalists notified late September 2026. Approximately 10–15 companies advance to finalist status from the full applicant pool.
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4
Prepare and deliver live pitch at NY Innovation Summit
Finalist companies must present their prototype and commercialization plan in person at the New York State Innovation Summit in Buffalo, NY on October 27–28, 2026. In-person attendance is mandatory — remote presentations are not accepted.
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5
Award announcement and grant execution
Winners announced at the Summit event. Grant agreements executed with FuzeHub/NYSTAR. Funds disbursed after agreement execution, typically as lump sum or milestone-based depending on award terms.
This is a pitch competition — the live presentation at the Summit matters as much as the written application. Prepare a physical demo of your prototype for the Buffalo event; judges favor companies that can put the product in reviewers' hands.
Deadline & timing
Finalists notified late September 2026. Live presentation at NY State Innovation Summit in Buffalo, NY on October 27-28, 2026. Applications open July 6, 2026. Competition is annual — next cycle expected in 2027.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.