In an academic research environment, gap funding provides critical support to promising technologies and innovations that have great commercial potential but are “too early” for licensing or investment to help validate the innovation and reduce risk.
What is Ignite?
Ignite: Cornell Research Lab to Market is a gap-funding series, managed by the Center for Technology Licensing, that helps promising Cornell technologies bridge the gap between early-stage research and licensing, startup formation or investment. It funds Cornell innovation through three signature programs: Innovation Acceleration, Fellow for New Ventures and Startup Projects.
With major expansion in FY2022, funding for the Ignite series increased to $3 million per year, with ambitious goals to grow the innovation pipeline for success and impact. The gap funding series is supported by the Provost’s office and a generous donation from Peggy J. Koenig ’78.
Ignite's Three Signature Programs
Ignite Program Overview
Under the Ignite umbrella, there are three signature programs and additional initiatives. While each is unique in its applications, all programs operate with common goals to increase value and reach the next inflection point by enabling proof-of-concept projects with clear results that lead to and justify further engagement and development from investors and corporate partners, and to help grow entrepreneurs and teams for startups.
The Ignite series is overseen and managed by the Center for Technology Licensing, Cornell’s tech transfer office.
Ignite's FAQs
What is Ignite gap funding?
Ignite: Cornell Research Lab to Market is a gap-funding series that provides critical early-stage support to Cornell technologies and innovations with strong commercial potential that are too early for licensing or investment. It’s overseen and managed by Cornell’s Center for Technology Licensing and supported by Cornell Research & Innovation.
What are Ignite's three signature programs?
Ignite offers three signature programs: Innovation Acceleration grants to the research labs to advance inventions at an early stage (12–16 projects funded annually); Fellow for New Ventures funding to hire entrepreneurial fellows to launch new technology ventures based on Cornell IP (3–5 fellows funded per cohort); and Startup Projects funding via SAFE notes to help early-stage startups reach proof of concept.
How much funding does Ignite provide?
Funding varies by program: Innovation Acceleration provides grants of up to $50,000 per research lab; Fellow for New Ventures provides up to $120,000 per year for fellow compensation and experiment expenses; and Startup Projects provides up to $75,000 per startup via SAFE notes.
Who can apply to Ignite?
Eligibility depends on the specific program. Innovation Acceleration and Fellow for New Ventures are open to faculty, research staff, and students with Cornell innovations from the Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses that have been disclosed to CTL. Startup Projects is open to active CTL startup licensees and members of Cornell’s incubator programs (Praxis, CLSV, Rev: Ithaca, Runway, and Cornell Tech’s startup studio program), generally pre-Series A.
When can someone apply to Ignite?
Timing varies by program. Innovation Acceleration runs two cycles a year (Spring and Fall), Fellow for New Ventures runs one cycle a year (Fall/Winter), and Startup Projects accepts applications on a rolling, open basis.
When are the next Ignite applications opening for each program?
The Innovation Acceleration Fall 2026 applications open September 7, 2026, and close November 6, 2026. The Fellow for New Ventures 2027 cohort opens November 2, 2026, and closes February 19, 2027.
Who should you contact about Ignite?
- For program-specific questions: Aaron Delahanty for Innovation Acceleration and Fellow for New Ventures, or Lynda Inseque for Startup Projects.
- To become a committee member: contact Lynda Inseque or Alice Li.
- For general questions: connect@ctl.cornell.edu.
Accelerate Cornell Innovation.
Ignite Commercialization and Venture.
