Cornell’s ongoing commitment to nurturing science-based startups was recently recognized when two of its incubator-affiliated ventures became Activate Fellows for 2025. The Activate Fellowship, now in its 11th year, supports transformative hard-tech entrepreneurs with direct funding, mentorship, and access to leading national innovation communities. This year’s cohort selection saw a record number of applicants, underscoring the growing intensity and prestige of national hard-tech accelerators.
Participating startups join Activate’s robust network, gaining not just funding ($100,000/year + $100,000 R&D per project), but also custom-built mentorship, a dynamic peer community, and access to commercial partners across the U.S. The program’s no-fee, no-equity model democratizes innovation, helping fellows retain IP and maximize growth. Notably, Activate’s alumni have consistently demonstrated high rates of survival and growth: 97% are still operating, raising more than $4B and creating thousands of jobs since 2015.
As research universities seek to build world-changing ventures, the Activate model offers timely insights for decision-makers:
Key Takeaways (Best Practices):
•Embed Hard-Tech Commercialization in University Incubators: Partnering with national fellowships like Activate accelerates commercialization, widening access to “smart money,” expert mentorship, and industry networks.
•Focus on Cohort-Based, Deep Support Structures: Activate’s two-year structure with tailored coaching and community engagement fosters leadership development and peer-driven resilience, which are essential for market entry at the earliest stages.
•Cultivate Impactful Partnerships: By linking federal programs (like NSF’s CHIPS R&D), philanthropic sponsors, and leading labs, universities multiply venture support and maximize societal impact.
For universities and partners, scaling these practices positions institutions to launch next-generation innovators who tackle real-world problems in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and beyond.
Full story: Cornell incubator startups become Activate Fellows | Cornell Chronicle
