Forward Faster: Recent Episodes
NextCorps
Bite-sized insights for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and the leaders who are helping to shape our future.
It can be tempting to chase the latest trend—from new social platforms to AI. But the key to digital marketing success lies in a solid foundation. Peter Platt, president of […]
Sharon Samjitsingh struggled with asthma since birth, an experience that inspired her to launch Health Care Originals (HCO) with her husband, Jared Dwarika. Their solution—the Nightingale Virtual Respiratory Care Program—combines […]
Paul Guglielmo is a former radio DJ turned food business entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle transformed into the launch of Guglielmo’s Sauce and, later, Craft Cannery, a no-minimum […]
Being successful as a photographer or other creative professional in the fashion/beauty industry isn't just about producing good work. It requires fostering connections and selling that work. Kavyar, a long-time member of NextCorps' startup incubator, is all about making those connections easier, bringing together people who have creative opportunities and professionals who would be perfect for them. Today, over 430,000 creatives are members of the Kavyar platform. NextCorps' Director of Startup Incubation, Matt Foley, talks with Kavyar Co-Founder, Sean Charles Morris, about Kavyar's growth strategy and recent milestones hit, his experience launching a mobile app, what he sees for the future of his company, and his advice for startups and entrepreneurs.Creative professionals, learn more and check out active calls for work at Kavyar.com.RELATED: Spotlight on Kavyar (January 2021)
AI has revolutionized almost every industry and the world of climate tech has not been left out. Three climate tech AI founders come together on Forward Faster to share their […]
Heating and cooling old buildings is one of the largest emitters when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. Hydronic Shell is addressing these older buildings head-on with its patented HVAC […]
Active Surfaces envisions a future where any surface can be solar. The proprietary, MIT-patented technology makes it possible to apply flexible, light-weight solar panels to any surface. The technology is […]
Optimax Systems, Inc. was a small startup operating out of a barn in the mid-90s, and today it's America's largest precision optics manufacturer. Optimax employs 460 people and counting in Rochester, NY, supplying complex optics for NASA, key programs in government research and defense, and many commercial applications. Rick Plympton, CEO of Optimax, talks with Luminate's Director of Technology Integration, Damon Diehl, about the company's roots, the shift to an employee ownership trust, and the many ways Optimax continues to create a great environment for people to work.Addressing the critical shortage of optics technicians; Alexis Vogt, 3 October 2022: https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/12213/122130C/Addressing-the-critical-shortage-of-optics-technicians/10.1117/12.2633117.full?SSO=100:00 - Intro 01:08 - How Rick Plympton got started at Optimax01:56 - Why Optimax formed an employee owned trust (EOT), its primary tenets04:06 - Building corporate culture through values; empowering people with organic leadership07:31 - Providing continuous training and education opportunities09:23 - Hiring for attitude not aptitude10:33 - The path ahead — for Optimax, its employees, and the place they call home12:57 - Rick's final advice for startups and growing businesses
In the boutique fitness industry, the ability to form personal connections matters more than a resume or list of credentials. Traditional job posting platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed are not […]
Meet two key members of the team that’s building the world’s first seamless 360° camera. Circle Optics‘ Chief Operating Officer, Ian Gauger, and Director of Marketing, Jennifer Sertl, sit down […]
What trends are exciting to the Chief Technology Officer of the world’s leading optics and photonics association? Dr. Jose Pozo, CTO of Optica, met up with Luminate’s Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan […]
Startup businesses less than five years old are now the greatest generator of new jobs. Launch NY’s mission is to identify, support, and fund these high-growth-potential startup businesses, and it […]
VPIphotonics of Berlin, Germany recently relocated its U.S. office from Boston to Rochester and now shares a building with NextCorps and the Luminate accelerator. Chris Maloney, Managing Director of the […]
There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses looking to work with the government — on the local and federal levels, as well as with branches of the military. […]
To have a successful career in science, you must be able to convince strangers to give you enormous sums of money. Unfortunately, many scientists miss the mark and write terrible […]
When Tanya Mooza Zwahlen’s neighborhood playground disappeared overnight, she was inspired to develop a solution that would give people insight into projects going on in their communities. Hear from […]
After more than a century, the world’s leading champion for optics and photonics has a new name. Optica (formerly The Optical Society of America) is a reflection of the society’s […]
Manufacturers of mission-critical components like facial implants and aircraft engine pieces are currently using metal printing to produce multiple parts to get one good one. It’s a problem that costs […]
Multifocal corrections in the form of contact lenses or intraocular lenses are the best options for an expanding number of patients with presbyopia and cataracts. However, multifocal vision is a […]
Custom, high-precision optical components are found everywhere, but getting them produced at mass comes with astronomical lead times and costs that are out of reach for many companies.
The demand for portable power is constantly growing, and there’s currently no solution for lightweight, portable power generation. Mesodyne, a startup in the Luminate accelerator’s fourth cohort, is developing a […]
Current autonomous vehicles rely on Global Navigation Satellite System sensors. In GPS-denied environments, like parking garages or tunnels, the vehicle may get misguided, increasing the chance of collision. One Silicon […]
Today’s automotive safety systems are designed to either avoid or respond to collisions. PreAct Technologies, a startup in cohort 4 of the Luminate accelerator, is focused on detecting car crashes […]
For professional athletes, every move matters. And for those training to reach the pro level, more information can help them achieve their goals. Organic Robotic Corporation‘s wearable Light Lace™ sensors […]
If you’re looking for a way to make a difference and create change in your own life, one startup has a unique solution. DIEMlife offers a simple online platform for […]
Inefficient windows account for about $52 billion in wasted energy every year. Smart glass solutions help, but current products have external wires that make them challenging or impossible to implement […]
In this episode, we spotlight our New York Neighbors at Rev Ithaca Startup Works and their Director, Ken Rother. Rev Ithaca Startup Works has a long history of serving entrepreneurs. […]
High-tech greenhouses — the only way to grow fruits and vegetables without pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides — are evolving quickly. While many companies are focused on advancing greenhouses through automation […]
Cuff-based devices, which have been used for more than a century to measure blood pressure, are largely inaccurate. Even if you manage to get an accurate reading, cuffs cannot provide […]
Dan O’Connell, now plant manager for Plug Power, has launched several companies rooted in his passions for environmentalism, cars, and Rochester. Dan was previously the co-founder and CEO of American […]
Environmental responsibility is becoming a more important consideration for consumers, but it can be intimidating for companies looking to get started. Kim Bawden, Senior Pollution Engineer with the NYS Pollution […]
What started as a father-son operation in a garage is now a booming family business with nearly 90 employees. Sydor Optics carved out a niche in ultra precision flat optics, […]
Teri Dankovich, Co-Founder of Folia Materials, and Bertha Jimenez, Co-Founder of Rise Products, not only started new businesses and participated in cohort 2 of the Scale For ClimateTech program, but […]
Optics is the industry of the future, revolutionizing everything from the smart phones in our pockets to our national security. But there are more jobs for optical technicians than there […]
In-person dog training classes can be helpful, but they’re not for everyone (especially during a pandemic). Sniffy Labs has developed an app that packages professional training plans, in-depth video tutorials, […]
Supply chains affect everything we buy, sell, and use, and have taken center stage in the news between COVID-19 vaccine rollout, ketchup shortages, and ships stuck in the Suez Canal. […]
How do you empower your customers and company with the information to make sustainable and healthy decisions? How do you make celebrating differences a core characteristic of your company? Rasha […]
The Finger Lakes Region and its urban core, Rochester, are undergoing a fundamental economic transformation. Finger Lakes Forward, a strategic plan developed by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council […]
Meet Zoe Welz. Zoe got her start as a CEO and Co-founder in the AgTech sector with her company, Drovr, using smart-movable fences to help transform livestock management. From there […]
Almost everyone has some form of inconsistency or “aberration” with the shape or surface of their eyes. Some have more complex vision errors called higher order aberrations (HOAs), such as […]
For Aaron Newman, chasing the bleeding edge has paid off time and time again. Executive Chairman and Founder of CloudCheckr, Aaron also founded and sold three other successful startups: Techrigy, […]
The impact on the healthcare system can be up to $45,000 to treat a single bedsore, and some pay the ultimate price. 60,000 people in the U.S. alone die each […]
To meaningfully address present and future impacts of the climate crisis, diverse leaders, perspectives, and voices are critical for sustainable solutions. Chante Harris, Sr. Manager of Venture For ClimateTech, highlights […]
Manufacturing accelerators, M-Corps administered by SecondMuse and Hardware Scaleup administered by NextCorps, have formally partnered up under one name as Scale For ClimateTech to fully capitalize on climate tech manufacturing […]
President of global technology group Jenoptik Optical Systems, Jay Kumler got his start in the defense industry designing and building reconnaissance lenses and has since been on both the buy- […]
There has never been a better time to launch, invest in, or work for a climate tech company. Our future depends on the speedy adoption of climate tech solutions to […]
For photographers and creatives in the fashion and beauty industry, getting published is everything. Sean Charles Morris, Co-Founder of Kavyar, shares how his company pivoted from a portfolio network to […]
By 2022, counterfeit goods will drain trillions of dollars from the economy and cost millions of jobs. Haqean, a Luminate cohort 3 startup, is helping to combat counterfeiting in the […]
Looking for new products for your organization and information about the latest technology? Sujatha Ramanujan, PhD, Managing Director of Luminate NY, speaks with Simin Cai, President and CEO of Go!Foton, […]
As the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, cataract surgery presents minimal patient risk. However, the visual outcome is not always optimal due to dislocations of premium intraocular […]
NextCorps Marketing Director, Holly Barrett, speaks with Founder and President of Solutions by Sloane and NextCorps Events Consultant, Sandy Sloane, about the ins and outs of networking. Making connections can […]
The light and noise environment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has important effects on the health and development of premature infants. NICU nurses currently place fabric blankets over […]
Black Button Distilling is now eight years in the making, the fastest-growing distillery in the northeast, and second in the nation. With expansion from three to 14 states suddenly put […]
Claudio Mazzali, Sr. Vice President and CTO of the Corning Optical Communications Sector, Corning, Inc., USA, Optical Society (OSA) Fellow, and Co-Chair of this year’s Frontier in Optics + Laser […]
As an entrepreneur, being able to quickly adjust in the face of an unforeseen challenge can be crucial. Holly Barrett, NextCorps Marketing Director, welcomes back Jennifer Young, Founder of What’s […]
Darius Sankey, Luminate Board Member and Advisor, General Partner at Moore Ventures, and former President of Ocean Tomo China, explains the importance of having an intellectual property strategy, what it […]
Darius Sankey, Luminate Board Member and Advisor, General Partner at Moore Ventures, and former President of Ocean Tomo China discusses the importance of patenting. He shares his insights on patenting […]
Nordetect, a Denmark-based company and Luminate cohort III startup, is working to transform the future of the agriculture industry through chemical analysis systems for agricultural and environmental testing that would […]
When the COVID-19 pandemic began to hit the U.S., the food industry was undoubtedly going to face repercussions. While medical institutions were at the top of the list for receiving […]
Embracing data is a challenge for many organizations. It requires accountability from leadership and a culture of change. Amy Gurske, Director of Client Strategy at Cause+Effect Strategy, talks with NextCorps […]
In 2019 alone, the Business Insight Center (BIC) at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County saved the community $1.5 million in market research costs. Kate Meddaugh, Manager of […]
There are only five Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs) in New York State, and 85 in the entire country. The Carlson Center for Intellectual Property at the Central Library […]
A typical person goes to their physician once a year, which provides just one set of data points around their personal health. ExPrimary, a Luminate cohort III startup, is working […]
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer today, a pathologist will look at a tumor sample and attempt to suggest the best treatment based on what they see in the […]
With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, small businesses are facing unprecedented disruption. NextCorps President, Jim Senall, talks with Virginia Smith, Branch Manager for the Small Business Administration in Buffalo and Rochester, […]
You’ve heard of WiFi, but what about LiFi? Chao Shen, PhD, CTO and Technical Leader of SaNoor Technologies, sits down with Luminate Technology Program Manager, Dr. Damon Diehl, to share […]
Outside of art festivals and the public market, it can be challenging for local artists and small businesses to get discovered. ShopLocalli is an online marketplace for printmakers, jewelers, furniture crafters, […]
Despite advancements in cancer therapies, testing is performed inside a patient’s body with no lab standard to determine which treatment will work best. Sanatela Medical is helping doctors get closer […]
Wearable health monitoring solutions can be extremely valuable to both physicians and patients, but only if there is compliance. VPG Medical is reducing the need for behavior change by putting […]
Patient monitoring typically takes place in hospital or clinical settings, meaning doctors lack a complete picture of their patients to be able to effectively individualize care and prevent rehospitalizations. Think […]
5G has been in development for years, and we are now on the cusp of dramatic changes in terms of capacity, speed, timeliness, and reliability of wireless communications. Osmund deSouza, […]
Many consumers want to shop from environmentally and socially conscious brands, but they are limited by choice and challenged by inconvenience. Jennifer Young, Founder of What’s Good, talks about some […]
Dr. Nish Sonwalkar, Founder and CEO of SunDensity, has developed a Photonic Smart Coating (PSC™) technology that improves the efficiency of solar panels as well as electronic devices and architectural […]
What do investors look for in a company? NextCorps President, Jim Senall, sits down with Don Golini, founder of SANICA Ventures and QED Technologies International, successful entrepreneur, startup mentor, chairman […]
Mindfulness teaches us to ground ourselves in the moment and direct our attention in ways that refresh us. Mindfulness coach, Sabrina Vogler, CPC, CEC, joins us to describe the many […]
In part three of his conversation with Luminate Managing Director, Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Dr. Milton Chang gives his thoughts on how and when to exit a business and tips for […]
In part two of a three-part conversation with Luminate Managing Director, Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Dr. Milton Chang describes the different types of investments and misconceptions around the challenges of raising […]
Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director of the Luminate accelerator, sits down with Dr. Milton Chang, Managing Partner of Incubic Management, author of Toward Entrepreneurship, and Luminate Board Member. In part […]
Scott Root, Professional Development Manager from Wegmans’ IT Department, shares how to get involved with Wegmans’ Flower City Pro-Am Hackathon, a 24-hour hackathon taking placing March 28-29, 2020. Focused on […]
Ameet Bhattacharya, Co-Founder and CEO of Gian, shares how HealthCart, his company’s innovative health software platform and application, empowers grocery shoppers to make healthy choices online and in-store based on […]
David K. Hou, Partner at Boylan Code, shares his expertise in copyright and trademark law with Holly Barrett, NextCorps Marketing Director. David describes what makes a strong trademark, how to […]
Ben Zombek, Founder and Principal of BZDesign, discusses the tenets of good design that puts the end user first with Kate Leonard, Digital Marketing Manager at NextCorps. Ben talks through […]
Damon Diehl, PhD, Technology Program Manager at the Luminate accelerator program, speaks with Ben Guerrero, Digital Media Manager at NextCorps, about his start in optics and how this enormous field […]
Andy Simon, Client Engagement Manager at NextCorps, interviews Matt Foley, Director of Startup Incubation at NextCorps. Matt explains the difference between business incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces, discusses some of […]