Session Dates:

• September 8, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• September 11, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• September 18, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• October 2, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Applicants should be focused on research Advancing Photonics Technologies (APT) has identified as technical and translation challenges that our region is uniquely suited to tackle.  Each of these advances national strategic priorities such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, semiconductor manufacturing, and domestic supply chain resilience and represents IP and market opportunities for researchers, startups, and mature companies.   The three areas are:

• Energy-Efficient Optically Integrated Hardware for Information Processing
• Optical Sensors
• Advanced Materials and Optical Components

For more information, kindly visit this link: https://advancingphotonics.org/our-focus-areas.  In your application, detail how your research aligns with one or more of these topic areas. 

Our four-session Propelus program helps researchers explore the customer perspective to inform how a discovery or innovation can become the basis of a successful startup or venture.

Through the program, we provide training and grants to support team-based customer research aimed at investigating the viability and societal impact of scientific and technological discoveries.

To apply to attend the Propelus program, researchers must form a team of at least two people involved with the scientific or technological discovery. The team must include:

• an entrepreneurial lead (often a postdoctoral researcher, graduate student or undergraduate) and
• a technical lead (usually a faculty member)
  • Please note: Non-university teams are also eligible if they have a tech- enabled innovation. 

Benefits

Training: Three sessions introducing the Lean LaunchPad methodology, which focuses on customer discovery research to evaluate the potential of your idea to solve problems and provide value.

Funding: Stipends of up to $1,500 are provided to each selected team and can be used to fund expenses related to customer discovery research, including conferences and marketing tools.

Resources: Selected teams will receive mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators. Teams may also utilize many other programs offered by the Hub-affiliated institutions.

Follow-on opportunities: Upon completion, academic teams are eligible for the national NSF I-Corps Teams program which provides an intensive 7-week training course and a $50,000 grant.

Join us for an optional, and highly encouraged, networking and showcase session, hosted by APT Photonics. The session will be on Thursday, October 2 from 5:30-7 pm at Princeton University's Bowen Hall, home of the Princeton Materials Institute (PMI). Teams who participate in Princeton's Propelus Program, successfully completing their Propelus milestones, will have the opportunity to network and showcase their technologies with APT Photonics' network at the in-person reception.  Attend to share learnings, continue customer discovery, and explore potential collaborations as well as participate in an optional Clean Room and Facilities tour. 

Photonics Networking Event

• Date & Time: October 2nd 5:30-7 pm
• Location: Bowen Hall Auditorium
• 70 Prospect Ave, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Lab Tour of The Micro/Nano Fabrication Center (MNFC)

• Date & Time: October 2nd at 6:30 pm
• Location: Princeton Materials Institute (PMI)
• Bowen Hall 70 Prospect Avenue

Princeton, New Jersey 08540