Luminate has everything you need to scale your business and improve your investor readiness.
Seed funding. World-class advisors. Structured curriculum and industry connections.
If you’re a startup from early-stage to Series A funding with an application that uses optics, photonics, or imaging to solve an industry problem, Luminate can help strengthen your business case and speed your technology commercialization.
Applications are open to startups located anywhere, so now is a great time to learn how:
- Luminate has helped 80+ startups from around the world get to market faster.
- Initial investment of up to $100,000 and a chance to compete for up to $1 million in follow-on funding can help you scale.
- You can tap resources and connections within the optics capital of the world to strengthen your technology development and business trajectory.
Can’t make the live info session? All registrants will receive a recording.
Ready to apply to Luminate? Applications are due January 12, 2026. Get started today!
About the Speakers
Sujatha Ramanujan, PhD, Luminate Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer
Dr. Ramanujan is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned executive with 25 years of experience in clinical devices and consumer electronics. She has started, built, and grown three startup businesses.
Damon Diehl, PhD, Luminate Director of Program Technology
Dr . Diehl has been active in the optics industry since his graduate studies at the Institute of Optics. He has worked with growing companies like Lumetrics and ASE Optics (acquired by Rochester Precision Optics in 2010), and driven the Optical Systems Technology program at Monroe Community College. He is also the author of the book, Grant Writing from the Ground Up.
