CSIT Awards $3M to 41 New Jersey-Based Start-Ups through Round 3 Catalyst and Clean Tech Seed Grant Programs

Since 2020, over $21M awarded to nearly 370 businesses across both grant programs

TRENTON, N.J. (October 15, 2024) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) has awarded a combined $3 million in grants to 41 New Jersey startups through its Round 3 Catalyst Seed Research and Development (R&D) Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant programs. The awards will help young companies accelerate the development of their technologies and transform discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable products and services.

“Supporting New Jersey startups through grant initiatives like the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and the Clean Tech Seed Grant will help create a robust economy for the future and advances Governor Murphy’s vision for the state,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Nurturing companies in their early stages allows them to establish a foundation in New Jersey, setting the stage for long-term financial growth, sustainability, and economic mobility.”

Companies awarded grant funding are developing innovations in medical devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), software development, film and digital media, and non-retail food and beverage. Since 2020, CSIT has awarded 368 companies grants totaling over $21 million.

“Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has dedicated significant resources to help young, innovative companies get their products to the marketplace, allowing the state to emerge as a premier destination for startups,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “These CSIT grant programs enable entrepreneurs to obtain funding for essential research and technologies that enhance our society, generate high-paying jobs, and strengthen New Jersey’s standing as a leader in equitable, diverse, and transformative innovation.”

CSIT’s Round 3 Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program has awarded 26 early-stage startup companies a total of $1.95 million in funding through grants of up to $75,000 for companies developing innovations in various fields, including manufacturing, transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences, non-retail food and beverage, finance and professional services, and technology sectors. These sectors have all been identified as targeted industries in Governor Murphy’s economic development plan. Of those receiving awards from CSIT, 70 percent of awardees have six or fewer employees, 22 percent are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 19 percent of the awardees are located in an Opportunity Zone.

“New Jersey’s startups are amongst the best in the nation and place the State at the forefront of innovation and conservation,” said CSIT Chair and BioNJ Founding President and CEO Debbie Hart. “The Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant Programs reinforce the State’s commitment to its small businesses and nurture advancements in a range of innovation areas, including life sciences, technology, and clean tech sectors. We have seen early-stage companies leverage CSIT funding 15.5X in follow on funding thereby advancing and accelerating their development trajectory.”

A total of $1.1 million in funding has been awarded to 15 companies chosen in Round 3 of the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program. The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program, which was jointly developed by CSIT and the NJEDA, provides grants to early-stage, New Jersey-based clean technology companies to help them advance the development of their products and services so they can begin finding investors and generate revenue. 87 percent of awardees have five or fewer employees. Additionally, 27 percent of the awardees are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 47 percent of the awardees are located in an Opportunity Zone.

Funding for the Clean Tech Seed Program is provided through the Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Program to advance clean energy innovation and help New Jersey achieve our goals of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 and an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

A full list of awardees can be found below:

Catalyst Seed Grant Awardees:

1. AlphaROC Inc. (Essex County): Built a suite of AI-powered tools leveraging unique data sets to help investors gain customized, unbiased insights into a business’ present and future economic health.
2. ANJO.AI INC. (Bergen County): Pioneered a revolutionary technology for the early detection of life-threatening allergic reactions, specifically Anaphylaxis.
3. Balcony Technology Group, Inc. (Hudson County): Developing groundbreaking shift in managing and safeguarding real estate data.
4. BioNanoTech, LLC (Mercer County): Developing new class of IMAC nanoresins that provide high purity in a single-step separation of both cytosolic and membrane proteins.
5. Conduiit (Hudson County): Building a film and television tax incentive rule engine that will give a variety of stakeholders the ability to better audit their qualified expense spending.
6. ConductInk, LLC (Burlington County): Developing technology provides the end-user the flexibility to design and create specific diseased-state models tailored to their drug candidate.
7. Dandelion Science Corp (Hudson County): Developing a novel therapeutic to apply AI-generated algorithms to visually stimulate the brain and retrain it to compensate for central vision loss.
8. EnaChip, Inc. (Somerset County): Developing a groundbreaking innovation revolved around a proprietary high frequency electroplated multilayer magnetic alloy, which is highly versatile and tailored to diverse applications.
9. Endomedix, Inc. (Essex County): PlexiClot™ is designed for use as an absorbable hemostat, initially for use in brain and spinal procedures.
10. Fuceltech (Mercer County): Developing a special type of lasers for atomic and quantum sensors including quantum computing applications.
11. Heal R World, LLC (Somerset County): Developing an innovative fintech card program pilot.

12. Innovations Unlimited LLC (Camden County): Developing an alarm that alerts caregivers of a pending or actual dislodgement or decannulation of a tracheostomy tube.
13. MIRAKARE INCORPORATED (Middlesex County): Developing a platform that integrates both quantitative and qualitative health data, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the care recipient so that the caregivers can better care for them.
14. NeuroPair, Inc. (Mercer County): Technology can provide the necessary environment for guided neuron regrowth.
15. Next Breath, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing innovative technological approach to managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and anxiety in a unique, user-friendly mobile application.
16. Novara Solutions Group, LLC (Monmouth County): Developing groundbreaking Emergency Tourniquet device that seamlessly integrates a GPS call-out system with a biosensor to provide a comprehensive solution for critical situations.
17. Oculomotor Technologies Inc. (Mercer County): Developing medical diagnostic software utilizing commercially available virtual reality headsets with integrated eye trackers for diagnosing various vision problems.
18. Plumeria Therapeutics Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing diagnostics for chronic pain.
19. Serdiuk Industries, LLC (Atlantic County): Developing specialized technology market catering to Drone/UAV/Air Taxi Launching and Landing Operations on marine vessels.
20. SNOChip, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developing disruptive optical components and sensors by leveraging innovative metasurface technology.
21. TacIton, LLC (Monmouth County): TacIton is a data management platform that automates manual work and increases financial analyst productivity.
22. Talon Biomarkers (Morris County): Flow cytometry assesses cell-associated proteins, determining the quantity of various cell types.
23. TLA Innovation, Inc. dba BoomID (Bergen County): Developing SAAS Platform for ensuring proper authorization, fraud prevention, and good, healthy user interactions.
24. VINYO (Camden County): Developing a mobile learning and engagement app helping to make wine more approachable, accessible, and inclusive for the next generation of wine lovers.
25. Vital Start Health, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developed the first reproductive and maternity mental health platform (COURAGE) using Virtual Reality for evidence-based care.
26. ZSX Medical, LLC (Burlington County): Developed a breakthrough surgical closure platform with a focus on women’s health, specifically for closing internal surgical incisions in laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Clean Tech Grant Awardees

1. 4.0 Analytics (Essex County): Developing machine learning based predictive analytics for use on fleet and consumer vehicles to identify potential vehicle engine and emissions component failures.
2. Biodome, Inc. (Burlington County): Developing sustainable, modular indoor farming units.
3. CargoFish, LLC (Salem County): Developing energy-efficient, network capable “capillary” gage “encapsulated” system of “tracks” for delivery of consumer goods and a “containerized parcel” utility system.
4. Energy Research Company (Union County): Developing an instrument that will increase the efficiency of converting renewable biomass feedstocks.
5. Gendell Associates P.A (Hudson County): Develop a compact pop-up emergency solar power generator.
6. Grid Discovery (Essex County): Developing SaaS platform to automate and standardize the traditionally complex and time-consuming microgrid planning process.
7. HiT Nano, Inc. (Burlington County): Developing a full cell SIB system for use in low-cost electric vehicles (EVs).
8. Materium Technologies, LLC (Union County): Develop technology for development of materials and techniques that can extend the lifespan and enhance the performance of solar panels and semiconductor devices.
9. Oceanomics, Inc. (Middlesex County): Developed a suite of metabolite, protein, and DNA-based biomarkers that are diagnostic of thermal stress in corals.
10. PureLi, Inc. (Somerset County): Developing a sustainable and cost-effective extraction technologies for lithium from saline water sources such as Produced Water, brines, and post-processing waste streams.
11. Redi Farms, LLC (Union County): Repurpose underutilized buildings into vertical, hydroponic farms that serve local communities.
12. RenewCO2, Inc. (Union County): Developed a cutting-edge electrocatalytic carbon utilization technology (eCUT) that forms C-C bonds at exceptionally low overpotentials so that the energy requirement is substantially reduced relative to competing technologies.
13. Shutterbug Exchange, Inc. (Hudson County): Revolutionizing the solar industry by revitalizing outdated solar panels through advanced upcycling methods.
14. Singlet02 Therapeutics, LLC (Union County): Developing a water disinfection technology for use in aquaculture.
15. Sunray Scientific, Inc. (Monmouth County): Developing a unique multifunctional material/product that utilizes a magnetic field system during the manufacturing process.

About CSIT

In August 2018, Governor Murphy signed legislation re-establishing the former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology as the CSIT. Comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia, the Commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting the State as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization. Visit www.njeda.gov/csit/ for more information about CSIT incentive programs.

About the NJEDA

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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