The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) said Jan. 8 it has awarded about $1.3 million in grants to 17 startups through the fourth round of its Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant Program.
The awards will assist emerging companies accelerate development of their technologies and transform their discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable products and services. Since 2020, CSIT has approved 150 awards totaling $13 million to New Jersey companies working in the clean tech sector.
The former New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology was re-established by the Murphy administration as the CSIT in August 2018. It is composed of representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as academia. The commission is tasked with leading the way in promoting New Jersey as a home for academic and technological research, development, and commercialization.
“Funding New Jersey startups through grant programs like the Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant helps build a stronger economy for the future,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Cultivating companies within our state during their formative years helps them establish roots in New Jersey and position them for future financial growth, sustainability, and economic mobility for years to come.”
The Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant Program, which was jointly developed by CSIT and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, provides grants of up to $75,000 for R&D activities to very early-stage, New Jersey-based clean technology companies that will help them advance their development on products and services to a point where they can more readily appeal to outside investors and, in some cases, begin to generate revenue. Thirteen awardees have five or fewer employees, and 10 are certified as either minority- or women-owned.
“New Jersey’s startups are among the very best in the nation and truly place the State at the forefront of innovation,” said CSIT Chair and BioNJ Founding President and CEO Debbie Hart. “The Clean Tech Research & Development Seed Grant Program reinforces the state’s commitment to its small businesses and nurtures advancements across a range of innovation areas aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We have seen early-stage companies leverage CSIT funding 15X in follow-on funding and accelerate their development trajectory.”
The funding for the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program, which is being provided through the New Jersey Board of Public Utility’s Clean Energy Program, will advance innovation that will help the state achieve clean energy goals as outlined in New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan. The plan, created in 2019 and updated in 2024, puts New Jersey on a path toward 100% clean energy by 2035.
The companies awarded funding work in a range of technology areas including fusion, innovative solar technology, microgrids, fuel cells, and advanced materials and recycling. Here are the awardees: Canyon Magnet Energy Inc. – $75,000 (Newark); CarbonDots, LLC – $75,000 (Lawrence Township); Cecilia Energy, Inc – $75,000 (Newark); Cero NJ LLC – $75,000 (Edgewater); Coherent Photonics LLC – $75,000 (Plainsboro Township); CURBON LLC – $ $74,480 (Princeton); EV Buddy Inc. – $75,000 (Edison); Fundamental Carbon Co – $75,000 (Piscataway); Metal Light Inc. – $ 74,370 (Newark); NanoSepex Inc. – $75,000 (Bridgewater); Noble Geofurnace – $75,000 (Keyport); Novtech – $75,000 (Bridgewater); PFASolve Inc. – $75,000 (Jersey City); Queens Carbon, Inc. – $74,999 (Montville); SingletO2 Therapeutics LLC – $75,000 (Summit); Skyraptor LLC – $74,014 (Moorestown); and Zaic Design LLC – $75,000 (Princeton).
