NY NYSTAR
New York
Description
NYSTAR (New York State Division of Science, Technology and Innovation) advances technology innovation and commercialization across New York State. As part of Empire State Development, NYSTAR provides approximately $70 million annually to support over 80 centers offering direct assistance to companies. Key programs include the Innovation Matching Grants Program (up to $200K for SBIR/STTR recipients), Centers for Advanced Technology, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and business incubators.
For ZHC builders in New York or willing to establish operations there, NYSTAR offers substantial non-dilutive funding to complement federal grants, plus access to world-class technology infrastructure, expertise, and commercialization support across the state's innovation network.
Eligibility
Program Types
Innovation Matching Grants Program
- Up to $200K matching for federal SBIR/STTR awards
- Launched May 2024, highly competitive
- Supplements federal programs with commercialization support
- Covers marketing, legal, IP protection, investor outreach
- 60 businesses awarded nearly $7.8M through 3 rounds (as of Sept 2025)
- Must have successful federal SBIR/STTR award
Strategic Technology Areas Supported:
- Additive/Manufacturing Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence
- Energy Storage/Battery Technologies
- Life Sciences/Biotechnology
- Advanced Materials
- Sensors and Hardware
- Cybersecurity
- Clean Energy
Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs)
- University-based research and commercialization centers
- Direct technical assistance and expertise
- $1M annual funding per center (10-year designations)
- Focus on translating academic research to commercial products
New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP)
- Manufacturing and technology adoption support
- Process improvement and innovation assistance
- Access to technical resources and expertise
NYS-Certified Business Incubators and Innovation Hot Spots
- Physical space and support services
- Mentorship and business development
- Access to funding and investor networks
Matching Grants Leverage Program
- Strengthen proposals to federal agencies and foundations
- Attract more federal R&D funding to New York
- NYSTAR coordinates matching grants and support letters
- Monthly application cycles (deadline 20th of each month)
Requirements
- New York State-based business or operations
- Technology or innovation focus
- For Innovation Matching Grants: Must have federal SBIR/STTR Phase I or II award
- Demonstrated commercialization potential
- Job creation and economic development impact
ZHC-Specific Fit
✅ Excellent for:
- New York-based tech companies
- Companies with federal SBIR/STTR awards
- Manufacturing and advanced technology businesses
- Startups needing commercialization support beyond R&D
- Companies leveraging university partnerships
- AI, biotech, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing ventures
- Businesses in all 10 NY regions (Capital Region, Central NY, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, NYC, North Country, Southern Tier, Western NY, Mohawk Valley)
❌ Poor fit if:
- No New York presence or unwilling to establish operations
- No federal SBIR/STTR award (for Innovation Matching Grants)
- Outside technology/innovation sectors
- Pure service businesses without technology component
Application Process
Application Process
Innovation Matching Grants Program
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Obtain federal award | - | Must have SBIR/STTR Phase I or II |
| Application opens | Multiple rounds/year | Check ESD website for current round |
| Submit application | Varies by round | Online application through NYSTAR |
| Review | 4-6 weeks | NYSTAR evaluation committee |
| Award notification | 2-3 weeks | Conditional on federal award success |
| Grant agreement | 2-4 weeks | Negotiate and execute agreement |
| Funding | After agreement | For eligible commercialization activities |
Matching Grants Leverage Program
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare federal proposal | - | For agencies, foundations, grant-makers |
| Submit to NYSTAR | By 20th of month | Monthly review cycle |
| NYSTAR review | 2-3 weeks | Coordination and evaluation |
| Support letter | Before federal deadline | Strengthens federal proposal |
| Matching commitment | Conditional | Based on federal award success |
Centers for Advanced Technology / MEP
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Identify relevant center | - | Find center matching your technology area |
| Initial consultation | 1-2 weeks | Discuss needs and services |
| Project scoping | Varies | Define technical assistance needed |
| Engagement | Ongoing | Access expertise and resources |
Business Incubators
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Find incubator | - | Locate NYS-certified incubator in region |
| Application | Varies by facility | Submit business plan and needs |
| Review | 2-4 weeks | Incubator selection process |
| Admission | Varies | Space, services, and support access |
Funding Details
- Innovation Matching Grants: Up to $200K per company (supplements federal SBIR/STTR)
- Matching Grants Leverage: Amount varies based on federal proposal
- Total NYSTAR Investment: ~$70M annually across 80+ centers
- Recent Impact: 60 businesses, $7.8M awarded in Innovation Matching Grants (first 3 rounds)
Innovation Matching Grants - Recent Awardees
Awards span all NY regions and strategic sectors:
- Life Sciences/Biotech: Anova Biomedical, ARMA BIO, BiRed Imaging, Brooklyn InnoSeq, Ergami Endoscopy, Hebbian Bio, iHealthScreen
- AI/Software: QAS.AI, Nearabl, VoiceLove, Calyx Systems, BeamFeed
- Energy/Battery Tech: ecoLong, Mission Power, Natrion, NoMIS Power
- Manufacturing/Hardware: ANDRO Computational Solutions, KLAW Industries, Sunrise Technology
- Other Advanced Tech: Astrabeam, PlasmaChem Solutions, SynchroPET
Contact
- Official Website
- Innovation Matching Grants Program
- Matching Grants Leverage Program
- Innovation Development Support
- Empire State Development: (800) 260-7313
- Email: pressoffice@esd.ny.gov
- Find your regional center or incubator through NYSTAR website
- 10 regional offices across New York State