Strategic Sectors Archives

TRENTON, N.J. (January 18, 2024) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced the inaugural cohort of the New Jersey Innovation Fellows (NJIF) program. The cohort consists of 10 new businesses, made up of 30 entrepreneurs, that will receive a total of $3.6 million in income replacement grants, as well as mentorship and training. The inaugural cohort marks an important milestone in the NJEDA’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting business ventures in their critical early stages.

“Governor Phil Murphy has been committed to growing our state’s innovation economy and ensuring entrepreneurs of all backgrounds have the tools to get their businesses off the ground,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The NJIF, a first-in-the-nation program, levels the playing field for first-time entrepreneurs by providing the funding and training needed to succeed. By supporting these 10 new, cutting-edge companies, New Jersey is firmly cementing itself as a national leader in innovation.”

The competitive program’s innovative approach of providing income replacement grants to diverse teams ensures entrepreneurs of all backgrounds can fully dedicate themselves to growing their ventures without the financial strain typically associated with the early stages of businesses development. This is particularly true for many first-time entrepreneurs, diverse entrepreneurs, and recent grad students, who may not be able to forego steady income, leaving a gap in the state’s innovation economy.

Each team receives an income replacement grant of $200,000. A bonus grant is available to teams located in designated opportunity zones. Additionally, bonus grants are available to teams with members who self-certify as a woman or minority or graduated from a New Jersey college or university. A team can receive a total of up to $400,000 in grants. This year’s cohort welcomes 20 first time entrepreneurs accumulating $1.7million in bonus grant funding.

Selected from a competitive pool of entrepreneurs, the inaugural round of NJIF companies will support ventures in the fields of life sciences, film, information technology, and professional services over a two-year period. In future NJIF cohorts, the NJEDA will look forward to that might additionally include infant and maternal health care and clean energy. Understanding the potential impact new businesses will have on innovation and the statewide economy, the NJEDA, through the NJIF program, will continue providing economic and social capital to underserved and under-resourced first-time entrepreneurs

“New Jersey has a long history of innovators and change-makers, and the NJIF program would make it so people from diverse backgrounds including first-time entrepreneurs, minorities, and women have a chance to demonstrate their potential,” said Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark). “By granting the fellows the financial freedom to focus entirely on their businesses, NJIF is providing an opportunity to accelerate their success.”

A cornerstone of the program is its robust mentorship initiative, designed to complement the financial support. Each startup will participate in a comprehensive mentorship program facilitated by the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) or The Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (RCIE). Mentorship and network support can help mitigate the risk business failure, which many first-time entrepreneurs experience, and can propel businesses to the next level.

The curriculum will provide training in subjects such as managerial finance, accounting, and financial statement preparations; human resources development and management; business model design; marketing and customer development; and more. The program will pair each startup with experienced mentors who guide them through the multifaceted challenges of building a business. Through their mentors, startups gain access to an expansive network of industry contacts, potential partners, and investors.

“New Jersey Innovation Institute is proud to partner with the NJEDA in this inaugural NJIF program and is well positioned to support this cohort of fellows through its Entrepreneurship program.,” said NJII President, Michael Johnson, Ph.D. “This initiative reflects NJII’s commitment to fostering innovation, supporting local entrepreneurs, and contributing to the economic development of New Jersey through collaborative efforts with organizations like the NJEDA.”

“Since its establishment in 2017, the Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has mentored dozens of startup companies who have created new products, services, and jobs as economic catalysts in our State,” said Dr. Michael Dominik, Professor at the Rowan University School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. “Rowan is thrilled to work with the NJEDA as part of the Innovation Fellows program to mentor these startups to become shining stars in the New Jersey entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Through the NJIF program, the NJEDA is demonstrating the power of diversity as a catalyst for business innovation and success. Diverse teams bring together varied viewpoints, leading comprehensive and creative problem solving. The inaugural cohort of startups showcase a rich tapestry of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, with many startups at the forefront of the current AI/technology revolution.

The inaugural cohort includes the following startups:

AbilityHUB, West Windsor – $350,000
The company will facilitate collaboration among service providers, caregivers, disabled community members and their families by connecting, collaborating, predicting, and ensuring the delivery of services that impact whole person health for the disabled community. The company’s proposed technology infrastructure will be built upon a combination of powerful and scalable technologies that ensure a robust and reliable platform from front to back-end development and management.

AntaMed, East Orange – $350,000

The medical device company is developing a one-of-a-kind durable back brace which also enables rehabilitative movements to innovatively treat patients with core and back pain. With remote patient monitoring in the device, the company’s goal is to aid healthcare professionals in preventing and alleviating back pain while increasing compliance and convenience for patients.

Fire Start Productions, Gloucester Township – $250,000
This start-up film and digital media company specializes in virtual production technologies. The company will focus on delivering comprehensive digital production and creative services that will streamline the production process of traditional film and other video production models. The company aims to forge new pathways in storytelling, animation and content delivery leveraging technology.

Helloboss, Jersey City – $350,000
The company aims to provide small businesses with high-quality professional services that are offered through their digital mobile marketing application. The range of services will include design, marketing, research, analytics, consulting, and engineering.

Klick Studios, Burlington City – $400,000
The digital content creation studio will provide high quality visual media production content for marketing and advertising purposes for its clients. The company aims to fuse innovative digital media technologies with traditional video and content marketing tools to create interactive, immersive experiences.

Liv Again Wellness, Vineland – $350,000
The company offers mobile IV hydration services through IV Hydration therapy, and will focus on immediate, personalized, nutritional support, beyond traditional medical settings. Moreover, the company will utilize integrative therapies to make clients feel restored, exhilarated, and energetic and will focus on helping clients achieve optimal health with preventative care.

My FitPlate, Jersey City – $400,000
The company is developing a digital mobile fitness and nutritional wellness application that will integrate virtual reality technology into client wellness plans as well as the gamification of home workout programs, meditation, and stress management strategies. The innovative application will embrace cutting edge technology to connect users across its platform.

Planthopper Corp, Keansburg – $350,000
The bio-controls company is designed to defend and protect food security, which is under threat by the spotted lanternfly infestation in at least 14 states in the Eastern United States. The business is developing, modifying, and scaling production and dispersion methods for entomopathogenic fungus that are maximally pathogenic to and selective for the spotted lantern flies.

Quarks Advantage, Jersey City – $400,000
The high-tech digital consulting firm will focus on helping small businesses achieve their goals through the use of artificial intelligence tools. The company will focus on building their digital proprietary platform and easy to use digital application.

Thrivio Health, North Bergen – $400,000

Thrivio Health offers an AI-driven health care platform and digital therapeutics for primary care, urgent care, mental health, and pediatric care. The company aims to provide accessible and affordable health care solutions by leveraging AI and data analytics.

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

NEWARK, N.J. (January 18, 2024) –The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission (NJMPTVC), which is part of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), today announced that seven productions filmed in New Jersey will appear at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The festival’s 40^th anniversary event will feature I Saw the TV Glow, Your Monster, Rob Peace, Ponyboi, Presence, Exhibiting Forgiveness, and A Different Man. Filming took place in locations across the state including in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, and Union Counties.

“New Jersey is honored to be the staging location for several films being screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Garden State offers an array of diverse landscapes and backdrops, and under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey’s commitment to protecting and bolstering civil liberties has enhanced an already compelling case for filming in New Jersey. We look forward to welcoming even more productions in the months and years to come as we become an East Coast hub for the film industry.”

The 2024 Sundance Film Festival will take place January 18-28.

Several other productions recently filmed in New Jersey have also received awards and accolades. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, filmed partly at Princeton University, won five Golden Globes including the award for Best Motion Picture. HBO’s Succession received an Emmy as Best Drama Series and two Golden Globe Awards. Extensive filming for Season 4 of the hit television show took place at CNBC in Englewood Cliffs and in Jersey City.

The following films will appear at the Sundance Film Festival:

I Saw the TV Glow

A24’s newest horror film I Saw the TV Glow follows two teenagers (Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine) who bond over their love for a scary television show that gets mysteriously canceled. The movie is directed by Jane Schoenbrun and produced by Emma Stone and Dave McCary under the Fruit Tree banner.

Filming took place at Verona and Cedar Grove High Schools, The Saint in Asbury Park, Keansburg Amusement Park, Funplex in East Hanover, Pump It Up in Roselle Park, Camp Lewis in Rockaway Township, Corrado’s Supermarket in Wayne, and at other locations in Cedar Grove, East Rutherford, Kinnelon, Succasunna, Verona, Wayne, and West Caldwell. A24 and Fruit Tree reported spending over $7 million in New Jersey for labor, goods, and services.

Your Monster

Your Monster, based on Caroline Lindy’s 2019 short film of the same name, depicts a depressed woman (Melissa Barrera) who returns home to find the monster that lived inside her closet as a kid is still alive and well. The movie was filmed at East Orange General Hospital and at various locations in Elizabeth, Hoboken, and Newark. Bombo Sports and Entertainment reported expenditures of $3 million during the course of production.

Rob Peace

Rob Peace, based on a true story, focuses on an inner-city kid (Jay Will) from Newark who attends Yale, only to succumb to harsh economic realities and the demons of his past. Written and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, the movie stars Ejiofor, Jay Will, and Mary J. Blige.

Filming took place on various locations in Newark including the Lower Roseville section, Newark Penn Station and St. Benedict’s Preparatory School. Additional locations included the Essex County Jail, Sandy Hook, New Jersey City University in Jersey City, and a site in East Orange. The production company, Hill District Media, spent over $11 million in New Jersey and hired 290 cast and crew members and 650 extras for the filming of Rob Peace.

Ponyboi

Ponyboi, based on the groundbreaking short of the same name, follows an intersex sex worker (River Gallo) who must fight for survival after a drug deal gone south. The feature was executive produced by Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson, and shot at the L&P Laundromat in Palisades Park, the Chalet Motel in Ocean Township, the Bridgeview Diner in Kearny, the Kearny-Belleville Elks Lodge and the Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park. Dream Queen Productions reported expenditures of $5 million while working in the state.

Presence

Presence takes place in a suburban house inhabited by an unknown force. Shot on a DSLR camera, this feature from director Steven Soderbergh was written by David Koepp. Starring Lucy Liu and Julia Fox, the movie was filmed entirely in Cranford. Over $2 million was spent in state during its production.

Exhibiting Forgiveness

Exhibiting Forgiveness follows a Black artist (André Holland) on the path to success, only to be derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. This movie was filmed in Allendale, Bayonne, East Orange, Hillside, Kearny, Montclair, Orange, Paterson, and West Orange. The production company, Homegrown Pictures, spent over $7 million in state and hired 125 cast and crew members and 200 extras.

A Different Man

A Different Man tells the story of Edward (Sebastian Stan) who, after undergoing facial reconstructive surgery, becomes fixated on an actor in the stage production based on his former life. Scenes were filmed in Maplewood and Montclair.

About the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission

The NJMPTVC, which is part of the NJEDA, is staffed by industry professionals and serves as a resource for production companies. The Commission promotes film and television production in New Jersey.

www.film.nj.gov

About the NJEDA

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

###

TRENTON, N.J. (June 21, 2023) – In May, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved five grant applications totaling more than $3.7 million under the Authority’s Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge (Grant Challenge). With this funding, recipients will launch innovative training programs focused on strengthening and diversifying the state’s offshore wind workforce, with a particular emphasis on serving Overburdened Communities.

The Grant Challenge is part of NJEDA’s Wind Institute for Innovation and Training’s (the “Wind Institute”) efforts to coordinate and deploy resources to advance offshore wind workforce development, research, and innovation in the state.

“As offshore wind grows in New Jersey, we must have a well-trained and qualified workforce that meets the needs of the industry,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Under Governor Phil Murphy’s leadership, the NJEDA is committed to ensuring high-quality workforce development training programs are available so that all New Jerseyans, especially those living in minority and low-income communities, have equitable access to this emerging industry. This is another step towards achieving 11GW of offshore wind by 2040 while creating a better future for the next generation.”

The grant recipients will use the funding to provide skill development, workforce training, job placement, and other related services to develop, implement, or expand workforce development initiatives in offshore wind. All programs are either led by or partner with a community-based organization serving a New Jersey overburdened community. The provision of wraparound services including transportation, career coaching, and other supports is a core component of the awarded programs to expand access and address barriers to entry. The funded training will support the needs identified in an offshore wind workforce assessment, which projected that the offshore wind industry will result in 20,000 new jobs in 2030 across numerous sectors in the state, including construction, manufacturing, and professional services.

The following organizations were approved for grants:

Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center – $1,000,000
Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College – $987,124
New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance – $700,000
Apex Solutions Foundation – $612,720
Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association – $425,155

“We look forward to working closely with the grantees to ensure a diverse pool of workers with the skills, competencies and credentials needed to thrive in this growing industry sector. Wind energy is our future. With these grants, we are helping ensure equal opportunities for these sustainable careers are available to all workers in our state,” said New Jersey Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.

“New Jersey’s burgeoning offshore wind industry will not only provide New Jerseyans with new, clean energy to help improve the air we breathe and mitigate the impacts of climate change, but will provide a significant boost to the state’s economy by creating thousands of jobs,” said Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. “The latest EDA grant awards provide an important step forward for training and skill development so the jobs that are being created in a growing industry can be filled by New Jerseyans.”

“The organizations that were awarded grants clearly demonstrated their ability to develop and implement an effective workforce training program, with an emphasis on serving New Jersey’s overburdened communities,” said NJEDA Vice President of Offshore Wind Jen Becker. “These training programs will provide a pathway to high-skilled, good-paying job opportunities and position individuals for long-term career success.”

Governor Murphy’s economic development plan, “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer NJ Economy,” identifies offshore wind as one of the strategic sectors for accelerating growth in New Jersey’s economy. Offshore wind represents a unique opportunity to meet the State’s clean energy goal of reaching 100 percent clean energy usage by 2035. Funding for the Grant Challenge is allocated under the Offshore Wind Sector Initiatives Memorandum of Understanding between the NJEDA and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that was executed in 2021 to support offshore wind workforce development.

About the NJEDA

###

PUBLIC INPUT INVITED AT UPCOMING SESSIONS ON POSSIBLE INVESTMENTS FOR NEXT RGGI FUNDING CYCLE

(March 30, 2023) TRENTON — Following through on the Murphy Administration’s recent outline of six pillars that will serve as the foundation for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced $70 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceed awards to help reduce the upfront costs of electric trucks, buses, and equipment in overburdened communities. The state agencies also announced a series of sessions in April for the public to comment on possible future investments with RGGI funds.

The $70 million investment will fund the purchase of 156 electric vehicles, including 114 school buses, eight garbage and dump trucks, 26 shuttle and transit buses, and four forklifts, all operating in approximately 20 overburdened communities across the state. The auction proceeds will also fund four projects, led by Via, Blink, Envoy and Zipcar, to bring electric ride-sharing options to communities that lack access to reliable transportation.

Today’s announcement builds on more than $240 million awarded statewide since 2019 for nearly 3,000 electric vehicle charging stations, 700 electric trucks and buses, and 12,000 electric passenger vehicles.

Drawing on the success of RGGI proceeds spent to date, New Jersey also announced the release of the 2023-2025 RGGI Auction Proceeds Scoping Document to outline potential initiatives that NJDEP, NJBPU, and NJEDA could each sponsor during the 2023-2025 funding cycle. The three state agencies are seeking feedback from the public on the prospective initiatives described in the scoping document and for other possible investments with RGGI proceeds. A series of interactive public workshops will be held on April 4, 11, 13 and 18 to collect input that will be considered in finalizing the RGGI Strategic Funding Plan for years 2023-2025.

The NJDEP, NJBPU, and the NJEDA jointly released the first RGGI Strategic Funding Plan in April 2020, detailing how auction proceeds would be invested in climate change, clean energy, and environmental justice projects for the years 2020-2022. More than $100 million from auction proceeds was dedicated across the state during that time. The Strategic Funding Plan is reviewed every three years and updated to ensure that investments are aligned across agencies to meet the Murphy Administration’s clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.

To further those efforts, New Jersey recently accepted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s offer to participate in the historic Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant Program, through which the state will receive $3 million for green initiatives. Specifically, the federal funds may be used to accelerate climate pollutant emissions reduction programs that will improve air quality and public health and better serve communities.

New Jersey is also committed to decarbonizing residential and commercial buildings to improve indoor air quality and public health, while leveraging federal rebates and grants through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to reduce costs to ratepayers.

New Jersey is especially vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, many of which are already familiar to residents due to increasingly mild winters, hotter summers, more extreme precipitation, increasing inland flooding across the state’s watersheds, and sea-level rise resulting in more “sunny day” tidal flooding along the Atlantic coast.

RGGI is a cap-and-trade pact among 11 northeastern states dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generating sector. New Jersey invests its RGGI auction proceeds in programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, drive forward projects that boost clean energy and create jobs, protect the health of residents in environmental justice communities, and increase the resiliency of coastal communities.

For a list of projects to be funded with the $70 million in RGGI auction proceeds, visit NJ DEP- StopTheSoot.org

For more information on New Jersey’s vehicle electrification goals and strategies, visit www.drivegreen.nj.gov

For more information on New Jersey’s RGGI Strategic Funding Plan, visit NJDEP | Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) | Strategic Funding Plan | Air Quality, Energy and Sustainability (AQES)

To sign up to attend RGGI Scoping Document Stakeholder Events, visit https://www.nj.gov/rggi/engage.html

If you are interested in receiving updates from NJBPU on RGGI funded programs, visit https://www.nj.gov/bpu/about/contact/subscribe.html.

###

Webinar will Help Potential Applicants Secure Funding of up to $175,000 for Zero-Emission Vehicles

TRENTON, N.J. (March 17, 2023) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host a webinar to offer details of the expanded New Jersey Zero-Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP) on Thursday, March 23. Specifically, the webinar will provide business owners with important information on expanded eligibility, updated application processes, and technical assistance services in advance of the opening for Phase 2 of NJ ZIP. The application for NJ ZIP – Phase 2 will open to businesses and institutions statewide on April 18 and will be available at http://www.njeda.gov/njzip.

NJ ZIP provides vouchers of $20,000 to $175,000, based on vehicle class, to business and institution owners to support the purchase of new, zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Additional bonuses will also be available. The $45 million enlargement of the program for Phase 2 includes expanding eligibility statewide and the purchase of heavy-duty in addition to medium-duty vehicles.

NJ ZIP first launched in 2021 as a pilot program available only to businesses and institutions in the greater Newark and Camden areas, and subsequently expanded to the greater New Brunswick and greater Jersey Shore areas. Phase 1 of the program only supported medium-duty vehicles. More than $39 million in vouchers has been approved through Phase 1 of the program to date.

In line with Governor Phil Murphy’s recent pledge to convert to 100 percent zero-emission vehicles statewide by 2035, NJ ZIP aims to expedite the adoption and use of clean-energy vehicles for business owners to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and bolster the state’s clean energy economy.

Complete program eligibility and details can be found at https://www.njeda.gov/njzip/

The webinar is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. on March 23. Those interested can find out more about the program and register for the webinar at https://njeda.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lJ8tDiYyRmS8IQIO74sfRg. A recorded version of the event will be posted at https://www.njeda.gov/njzip/ following the webinar.

About the NJEDA

###

CSIT Begins Managing Newly-Expanded Platform That Showcases Massive Volume of Research Being Conducted Statewide

TRENTON, N.J. (November 28, 2022) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) today announced the expansion of ResearchwithNJ.com to provide local, national, and international innovation communities with insight into groundbreaking research being conducted at five New Jersey universities – Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT); Princeton University; Rowan University; and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. The Commission also announced that it has taken over management of the portal from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) due to its close ties to both the startup and academic communities.

The free, online portal, which can be accessed at www.researchwithnj.com, offers more than 250,000 pieces of research output that commercial enterprises, ranging from startups to global corporations, can use to fuel their growth. Topics range across a broad spectrum of disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, mathematics, psychology, sociology, and others. The newly-expanded Research with NJ portal now has search capabilities for specific subject matters that align with NJ’s strategic industry sectors through the site’s “strategic pillar” tabs.

Governor Phil Murphy announced the launch of Research with NJ in the summer of 2018, at the same time he announced the establishment of CSIT. Research with NJ was originally developed as a collaborative effort by the NJEDA and the OSHE to forge stronger connections between New Jersey’s research universities and the industry. Given CSIT’s goal of expanding partnerships between early-stage companies, entrepreneurs, and universities, the Commission assumed management of the portal and will work closely with the participating universities to ensure the continued support and growth of the online site.

“Our close ties to both the startup community and the state’s many academic institutions made the management of Research with NJ by CSIT a natural fit,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “We anticipate the expansion of Research with NJ, combined with our ongoing efforts to enhance outreach to emerging companies and academic professionals, will help strengthen connections between New Jersey’s research universities and the industry.”

Research with NJ highlights the Garden State’s leading research experts and facilities, enhancing the visibility of research output. It also increases opportunities for users to create partnerships and build innovative new businesses and products based on the latest scientific and technological breakthroughs. Businesses can gain access to relevant areas of expertise, facilitating the transfer of technology to the marketplace. This includes information on subject matter experts, facilities, publications, intellectual property, news, and events. Investors considering investing in a startup can also use Research with NJ to learn about research done by members of the company prior to investment.

“One of New Jersey’s greatest assets is our vast network of globally-recognized universities, including all of the academic institutions that are a part of the Research with NJ portal,” said CSIT Chair Debbie Hart. “Through Research with NJ, we are harnessing the brainpower of our state’s highly-talented researchers and providing their intellectual data, free of charge, to individuals worldwide in order to help propel our innovation ecosystem forward.”

To date, the Research with NJ platform has sourced nearly 268,000 outputs from all participating universities, incorporating more than 4,500 individual profiles, over 150 core facilities, and grants/projects topping 6,200.

“New Jersey already has a tremendous story to tell when it comes to the breadth of innovation stemming from our world-class universities and the impact researchers and innovators are having on the global stage,” said Dr. Brian Bridges, the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education. “Research with NJ will continue to strengthen the state’s ability to promote the high quality and volume of research produced by our researchers to an even broader audience.”

Research with NJ was developed under the leadership of an Advisory Board consisting of the participating research universities and industry representatives from the NJEDA, OSHE, New Jersey Business & Industry Association, Choose New Jersey, BioNJ, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, and TechUnited. The Advisory Board provides oversight and recommendations to ensure the portal’s sustainability and success.

“The Research with NJ portal offers a glimpse into the groundbreaking developments and discoveries being made at our state’s esteemed research universities,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “I am confident that this expanded resource will foster new opportunities for innovators and companies at every stage of growth and will help us achieve Governor Murphy’s goal of recapturing New Jersey’s role as a national leader in innovation.”

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.

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

###

TRENTON, N.J. (August 8, 2022) – The New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation, and Technology (CSIT) today announced that it has awarded a combined $3.9 million in grants to 45 startups statewide through its Catalyst Seed Research and Development (R&D) Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant programs. The awards will help these young companies accelerate development of their technologies and transform their discoveries from the research stage into commercially viable products and services.

“Funding New Jersey startups today through grant programs like the Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and the Clean Tech Seed Grant helps to guarantee a strong economy in the future and furthers Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for the state,” said CSIT Executive Director Judith Sheft. “Cultivating companies within our state during their formative years helps us to promote financial growth, sustainability, and economic mobility for years to come.”

CSIT’s Catalyst Seed R&D Grant Program has awarded 27 early-stage startup companies a total of $2.6 million in funding through grants of up to $150,000 for life sciences startups focusing on drug development and therapeutics and up to $75,000 for R&D. Emerging companies receiving awards for R&D are involved in technological innovation across manufacturing, transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences, non-retail food and beverage, finance and professional services, and technology sectors, all of which are identified as targeted industries in Governor Murphy’s economic development plan. Of those receiving awards from CSIT, 95 percent (25) of awardees have five or fewer employees, 43 percent (12) are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 30 percent (9) are certified women-owned. Additionally, 22 percent (6) awardees have licensed technology from a New Jersey university.

“New Jersey’s startups are amongst the very best in the nation and truly place the State at the forefront of innovation and conservation,” said CSIT Vice 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 nurtures advancements in a range of innovation areas including technology, life sciences, and clean tech sectors.”

A total of $1.3 million in funding will also be awarded to 18 companies chosen in Round 2 of the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program. The Clean Tech Seed Grant Program, which was jointly developed by CSIT and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), provides grants for R&D activities to very early-stage, New Jersey-based clean technology companies that will help them to 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. Seventy-two percent (13) of awardees have five or fewer employees. Additionally, 15 percent (3) of the awardees are certified as minority-owned businesses, and 15 percent (3) are certified women-owned. Eleven percent (two companies) awardees have licensed technology from a NJ university.

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has become one of the best places in the nation to grow and scale a company, especially a startup,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “CSIT’s Catalyst Seed R&D Grant and Clean Tech Seed Grant programs allow entrepreneurs to secure funding for vitally important research and new technologies that not only better our society, but also create new high-paying jobs grow our economy and solidify New Jersey’s reputation as a leader in equitable, diverse, and transformative innovation.”

“Grants such as the Clean Tech Seed Program bring us one step closer to achieving Governor Murphy’s goal of 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Our partnership with NJEDA and CSIT, coupled with today’s announcement, exemplifies this Administration’s cross-agency approach to developing and implementing initiatives that will simultaneously help us meet our clean energy goals and grow our green economy with exciting innovation.”

The funding for the Clean Tech Seed Grant Program, which is being provided through the NJBPU’s Clean Energy Program, will advance innovation that will help the state achieve Governor Murphy’s clean energy goals as outlined in New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan. The plan, created in 2019, helps to set New Jersey on a path toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

A list of all awardees can be found below:

Catalyst Seed Grant Program
(Drug Development)

Applicant Name (Funding Amount)

CSR Pharma Group Inc. ($150,000)
DMK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ($150,000)
InteguRx Therapeutics LLC ($150,000)
Kathera Bioscience, Inc. ($150,000)
Lactiga US, Inc. ($149,828)
NeuroPair, Inc. ($150,000)
Plumeria Therapeutics Inc. ($150,000)
Regenosine ($149,500)
Throne Biotechnologies Inc. ($150,000)

Catalyst Seed Grant Program
Other Categories
Applicant Name (Funding Awarded)

AquaPao, Inc. ($75,000)
Arke Aeronautics LLC ($75,000)
Beyond Main ($75,000)
Discogen LLC ($75,000)
Drone Go Home, LLC ($75,000)
EnvoyatHome, Inc. ($75,000)
HealRWorld LLC ($75,000)
Hindsight Technology Solutions ($75,000)
Innovations Unlimited LLC. ($74,999)
Li Creative Technologies, Inc. ($74,909)
Licentiam, Inc. ($74,975)
Misram LLC dba Spectronn ($75,000)
Nu Lightwave Logic LLC ($72,550)
OLI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ($74,809)
Phoresis, Inc. ($74,976)
RizLab Health Inc. ($75,000)
Serdiuk Industries LLC ($75,000)
Tendo Technologies, Inc. ($75,000)

Clean Tech Seed Grant Program Awardees

13 Mari NJ Ltd ($74,578)
4.0 Analytics Inc ($75,000)
Blue Rock Solutions Inc ($75,000)
BRISEA Group Inc. ($74,800)
Energy Research Company ($74,996)
ExoCell Power Corporation ($74,993)
Exovolar Industries Corp ($74,930)
FPG PowerPLUS ($75,000)
Hit Nano, Inc ($75,000)
iCheck Energy LLC ($75,000)
Neutroelectric, LLC ($75,000)
Phoresis, Inc ($74,968)
Pollux Technologies, LLC ($74,960)
Project Plastic LLC ($74,990)
Redifarms, LLC ($63,080)
SingletO2 Therapeutics LLC ($75,000)
Sunowner Inc ($74,160)
SWIND POWER, LLC

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.

About NJEDA

###

Parcel to be Purpose-built for Tier 1 wind component manufacturing, Co-located with a Marshaling Port and with Ready Access to East Coast Offshore Wind Sites

Trenton, N.J. (May 20, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) today announced that it will shortly launch the next phase of its eagerly-anticipated tenant selection process for the New Jersey Wind Port. This phase will involve seeking offers from Tier 1 wind component manufacturers, such as blades, for an approximately 70-acre parcel of property at the Port.

The New Jersey Wind Port, located on the Delaware River in Lower Alloways Creek, Salem County, will be a transformative, hub-style port serving offshore wind projects in New Jersey and up and down the U.S. East Coast. The Port is being developed by the NJEDA on behalf of the State and represents a new approach to economic development that will spur both job creation and opportunities for businesses throughout the offshore wind supply chain. It has the potential to create up to 1,500 manufacturing, assembly, and operations jobs, with wind projects supported by the Port driving billions more dollars in economic growth.

The Port is situated at the geographical center of the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind sector – with approximately 40 gigawatts (GW) of committed and planned offshore wind projects along the East Coast, including 7.5 GW of projects off the coast of New Jersey. The Port will offer offshore wind industry tenants the following key features:

Access to the Atlantic Ocean free of vertical restrictions;
Upland acreage purpose-built for marshalling and component manufacturing;
A wide approach channel from the main Delaware River Channel;
A purpose-built heavy-lift wharf, comprising both delivery and installation berths; and
Heavy-haul Road connections between inland port parcels and the Wharf.

The NJEDA will shortly seek non-binding offers from Tier 1 offshore wind component manufacturers, such as blades manufacturers, for an approximately 70-acre parcel at the Port. The parcel is currently undeveloped but is intended to be purpose-built for manufacturing and would adjoin a deep-water port. The parcel would be connected to two marshalling parcels via a purpose-built heavy-haul road corridor, providing unrivalled cost efficiencies for a manufacturer and their developer clients. The NJEDA anticipates that the parcel will be available for sublease from late-2026. A notice for the sublease of property will be issued in coming weeks and will be available at Bidding Opportunities – NJEDA.

“There is simply no better site to anchor an offshore wind manufacturing facility in the nation than at the New Jersey Wind Port, the nation’s only purpose-built greenfield wind port and epicenter of the nation’s fast emerging wind supply chain hub,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “For a manufacturer, being co-located with two marshalling parcels means significantly lower logistics costs, a win for industry and a win for energy consumers. At the same time, being part of the nation’s supply chain hub means ready access to a growing ecosystem of tier two suppliers across Southern New Jersey and throughout the state.”

Home to a high concentration of skilled labor, a well-established maritime industry and workforce, and a network of highly-regarded colleges and universities, New Jersey is ideally-placed to drive the development of the offshore wind industry in the United States.

“Manufacturing critical components of the offshore wind supply chain here in New Jersey will not only benefit our own offshore wind projects, but the entire industry up and down the East Coast,” said New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “By diversifying the manufacturing opportunities available, we will bring more jobs and economic development opportunities to the Garden State as we work to achieve Governor Murphy’s goal of 7.5 GW by 2035.”

Last fall, Governor Phil Murphy led the celebration for the New Jersey Wind Port’s groundbreaking, alongside Federal Secretary of Labor, Martin J. Walsh and a host of state and local officials. The event also included the signing of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA), with the State committed to using union labor to construct the Port and to setting a new standard for inclusion of minority and women workers and business owners.

Governor Murphy announced last month that the NJEDA and Orsted North America had executed a letter of intent (LOI) for Orsted to marshal its Ocean Wind 1 project from the Port. As part of its bid to the NJBPU Orsted had proposed to marshal Ocean Wind from an interstate port, with its commitment to instead use the Wind Port creating over 200 pre-assembly, load out and stevedoring jobs in New Jersey that would otherwise have been lost to other states.

Core construction of the Wind Port commenced in January of this year, with the first phase of the Port due to reach completion in early 2024.

Further information on the Port is available at: https://www.nj.gov/windport/.

About the NJEDA

To learn more about state resources available to New Jersey entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

###

TRENTON, N.J. (April 26, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) has released for public feedback a draft rule proposal for the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Program.

The program, which was first established in 2018, was expanded under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA), signed by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2021. The Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Act, P.L. 2018, c. 56, (N.J.S.A. 54:10A-5.39b and N.J.S. 54A:4-12b) provides a transferable credit against the corporation business tax and the gross income tax for qualified expenses incurred for the production of certain film and digital media content in New Jersey. The goal of the program is to incentivize production companies to film and create digital media content in New Jersey.

“Like other programs established by the ERA, The Film and Digital Media Tax Credit program is designed to encourage equitable and inclusive development,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The proposed rules establish criteria for the program that will ensure it is administered in a way that will create the economic impact Governor Murphy and the Legislature intended.”

Proposed rule changes include increasing the benefit for productions that submit a diversity hiring plan from two percent to four percent for hiring minority, local, on-screen talent, which will help to make sure opportunities are accessible to qualified individuals from all backgrounds. Additionally, the changes include the availability of new Studio Partner and Film-lease Partner designations which provide extra benefits to production companies who commit to establishing large production facilities in New Jersey.

Members of the public will also be able to submit feedback on the Garden State Film and Digital Media Jobs Program through the NJEDA’s ERA website (https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/) between the following dates:

PUBLIC FEEDBACK OPEN: April 25, 2022
PUBLIC FEEDBACK CLOSES: May 6, 2022

We welcome constructive input on how to ensure new programs created through and amended by the ERA are structured and administered in a manner that drives opportunities for all residents and communities. Members of the public can do that by sending an email to FilmTaxCredit@njeda.com or through the online portal on the NJEDA’s website.

All feedback received through this process will be assessed and considered when preparing the final version of the rule amendments that is proposed by the Authority for Board approval. Following potential Board approval, there will be a 60-day period for formal public comment.

For more information and to provide written input on the design and implementation of ERA programs, visit https://www.njeda.gov/economicrecoveryact/.

About the NJEDA

###

Agreement with Salem County Vocational Technical School will help prepare local workers for offshore wind opportunities

Trenton, N.J. (April 14, 2022) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) received approval from its Board yesterday to enter an agreement with Salem County Vocational Technical School (SCVTS) that will support the expansion of the school’s offshore wind-related painting and welding programs. Under the agreement, the NJEDA will provide up to $200,000 to support the expansion of programs that will prepare students and workers for jobs in heavy steel offshore wind component manufacturing.

“NJEDA’s support of offshore wind programs at SCVTS is part of our efforts to ensure New Jersey’s pipeline of skilled workers keeps pace with growing demand from the high-growth offshore wind industry,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “This focus on offshore wind education supports Governor Phil Murphy’s vision for New Jersey as a global leader in the industry, and also advances his goal of a stronger and fairer economy by creating equitable educational and career opportunities.”

The NJEDA will help to fund equipment, materials, instructor time, and other expenses required to train secondary and post-secondary students for the specific skills required for large scale steel component manufacturing. This agreement complements an similar agreement between NJEDA and Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) announced in December 2021.

“Since the beginning of this process, the NJEDA has been committed to making sure that Salem County residents are given the opportunity for employment at the Wind Port facility.” Said Salem County Commissioner Director, Ben Laury. “The Board of Commissioners is pleased to see that commitment manifest in an investment for SCVTS and its students.”

“NJEDA’s commitment to funding these growing programs is an investment in the future of our local workforce,” said SCVTS Superintendent John Swain. “Training and reskilling workers will prepare them for high-quality offshore wind career opportunities that will sustain our families and communities well into the future.”

“This agreement will result in opportunities for high school students and adult learners to gain the specialized skills needed for jobs in the offshore wind large-scale steel component manufacturing sector,” said Jen Becker, Managing Director of Wind Institute Development. “We’re really excited to launch these programs in the coming months.”

This agreement utilizes funding from memorandum of understanding between NJEDA and the NJ Board of Public Utilities to support offshore wind training and research initiatives.

About the NJEDA

###