In 2025, the Interior Northeast I-Corps community launched new ventures, created jobs, and fueled economic growth.

Startup ventures emerging from I-Corps teams welcomed a total of 119 new paid employees during the year. Alumni secured $16,617,873 in SBIR and STTR awards and raised $29,713,562 in capital to support research, commercialization progress, and long-term scaling. In total, alumni of the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub have now created 230 jobs, reflecting the sustained expansion of deep technology ventures across the ecosystem.

From laboratories to market-ready ventures, the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub continues to accelerate innovation and economic growth for scientists and engineers pursuing commercialization pathways. I-Corps equips research teams with entrepreneurial training, hands-on customer discovery, and access to a broader innovation ecosystem that transforms deep technology into real-world impact.

These achievements highlight how I-Corps helps innovators move beyond the laboratory to build ventures that create jobs, attract investment, and address pressing societal and economic challenges.

One company that continues to advance its innovation is Sostos. The company builds on technology originally developed at West Virginia University by Dr. Nancy Guo, a former WVU School of Public Health professor who is now a SUNY Empire Innovation Professor at Binghamton University. Sostos leverages patented artificial intelligence software and big data to develop novel molecular diagnostic assays for cancer treatment, particularly for lung and breast cancer. In 2025, the company secured a $1.2 million NSF SBIR Phase II award and added 10 new employees, marking an important milestone in scaling its operations and expanding its commercial capacity.

Another company to highlight is AvantGuard. Its antimicrobial solutions are derived from research conducted at Cornell University by Minglin Ma, professor of biological and environmental engineering, and former postdoctoral researcher Mingyu Qiao. Guided by customer discovery insights that align with I-Corps methodology, the company secured $2.65 million in SBIR funding and raised $800,000 in capital this year. Previously, AvantGuard earned a $250,000 Grow-NY prize in 2020. These accomplishments underscore the importance of customer-driven validation and entrepreneurial strategy in advancing research toward real-world application.

Beyond financial milestones, these companies are making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. From advancing public health technologies and improving cancer diagnostics to enhancing environmental sustainability and everyday safety, I-Corps-supported startups continue to tackle pressing global challenges year after year. To explore more stories about team success across the innovation ecosystem in 2025, visit the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub News page.