Several New York-based technology companies are accelerating next-generation semiconductor manufacturing with support from the NY THRIVE Innovation Voucher program, including projects in collaboration with Cornell University's world-class research facilities.
The NY THRIVE (Technology Hub for Revolutionary Innovation and Viable Ecosystems) Innovation Voucher program provides companies access to advanced academic research infrastructure, specialized equipment and technical expertise to speed development and commercialization of semiconductor technologies.
The initiative is part of the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub and is administered by Syracuse University's Collaboration and Commercialization Center (C3) in partnership with Cornell, Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rochester and the University at Buffalo.
At Cornell, multiple awardees are working closely with the Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility (CNF), a National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) site that provides open-access nanofabrication tools, process expertise and workforce training essential to semiconductor innovation.
Cornell-Enabled Innovation
OWiC Technologies (Ithaca) is using its NY THRIVE voucher to expand manufacturing of its small photoelectronic electrochemical synthesizers (SPECS), millimeter-scale wireless semiconductor devices that enable high-throughput electrosynthesis for pharmaceutical and chemical applications.
"The NY THRIVE Innovation Voucher will enable OWiC Technologies to scale production of our SPECS product line to meet growing interest from pharmaceutical customers," said Alejandro Cortese, CEO and co-founder of OWiC Technologies. "CNF's world-class nanofabrication capabilities, from advanced lithography to comprehensive etch and deposition tools, have been essential to our company from the start. This partnership allows us to keep semiconductor manufacturing in New York State while accelerating commercialization of technology that's helping drug discovery teams work faster and more efficiently."
Menlo Micro (Ithaca) will collaborate with CNF on next-generation through-glass via (TGV) solutions for its high-performance microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches. While these devices are already in commercial use across RF, high-speed digital, and quantum computing applications, Menlo is positioning its technology for next-generation power electronics applications, including AI data centers and industrial automation systems.
"Menlo Micro will collaborate with Cornell University's Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility on next-generation through-glass via solutions for our high-performance Microelectromechanical System switches, MEMS," the company said in a statement. "This award strengthens Menlo Micro's market leadership and ongoing scaling efforts, leveraging CNF's world-class capabilities to advance glass substrate technologies critical for next-generation MEMS and microelectronic solutions."
Strengthening New York's Semiconductor Ecosystem
Through programs like NY THRIVE, Cornell researchers and facility staff are working side-by-side with industry partners to translate advanced materials science, microfabrication and device engineering into scalable manufacturing solutions.
By connecting companies to shared research infrastructure and technical expertise, the program lowers barriers for startups and small manufacturers while reinforcing New York state's growing semiconductor supply chain. Cornell's role - through CNF and its broader semiconductor research ecosystem - helps ensure that cutting-edge innovation, workforce training and manufacturing development remain anchored in the region.
About NY SMART I-Corridor
The NY SMART I-Corridor is a federally designated Tech Hub uniting more than 100 organizations across industry, higher education, economic development and community groups. The coalition is working to position upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.
