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FOR RELEASE: Immediate; October 31, 2007
CONTACT: Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext. 3359 or cqr@nyserda.org
Eugene Schuler, Linc
518-424-7187
“LINC”- SEEING THE SARATOGA TECHNOLOGY + ENERGY PARK IN A NEW LIGHT
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Partners with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
“Linc”, a non-profit corporation, was established by NYSERDA to foster economic development and commercialization of energy-efficient lighting products in New York State. Linc’s charge is to cultivate collaborations between lighting businesses, researchers at RPI’s Lighting Research Center, and the investment community, and to increase research and development dollars invested in New York State.
Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said “This is an exciting new concept, and its time has come. Linc will employ outreach and networking efforts to establish a lighting innovation presence at Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP), in New York State, and in the nation. It will nurture small and mid-sized companies by seeking innovative lighting-related intellectual property from many sources, identifying funding opportunities, and providing business and marketing services. New business and economic development will thrive, and federal and out-of-state dollars will be invested in New York’s economy.”
Linc stands for ‘Lighting Cultivator, Inc.’, and its name is intended to highlight the critical importance of building connections between the research, business, and financial communities to bring new, innovative lighting products to market. Linc offers introductions to potential business partners and investors, technical lighting design, and evaluation services, as well as assistance in securing public and private funding. Linc will establish a field office at STEP this fall.
RPI’s Lighting Research Center Director, Dr. Mark Rea, said “Linc will serve as the focal point for commercialization of sustainable lighting technologies. We have coined the term “cultivator” to describe Linc’s role. New ideas are everywhere, but too often ideas fail to be commercialized due to inadequate coaching and financial support. Our goal was to create a “greenhouse” where great ideas become great products and services by providing the support necessary for their growth.”
Linc will work with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s LRC to provide consulting services to its clients under the Lighting Technology Greenhouse (LTG) Program. Linc and the LTG Program will work collaboratively to provide business, financial and technical services to promising lighting ventures doing business in New York State. The overall goals for both entities are to:
- Foster the development and commercialization of sustainable, energy-efficient lighting products
- Promote new business and economic development in New York State
- Coordinate collaborations between lighting businesses and researchers
- Encourage developing of innovative human health and well-being lighting products, and
- Increase federal and out-of-state research dollars invested in New York
Linc’s founding executive director Eugene Schuler said, “I am pleased to assist NYSERDA and New York State in the creation of the Lighting Cultivator. Linc is the newest program in NYSERDA’s efforts to create a sustainable energy environment within the State, something that is crucial to the State’s future economic growth.”
In 2004, NYSERDA funded the Lighting Research Center (LRC) to develop a feasibility and business plan for a sustainable program to help New York-based companies and new start-up companies commercialize innovative lighting technologies. The LRC solicited the involvement of key players in the lighting industry to serve on a study advisory board. In 2006, that board recommended that a lighting incubator be established in New York State in collaboration with NYSTAR, STEP, the LRC, and the lighting industry.
Linc will operate throughout New York State, networking with incubators, economic entities and universities, as well as participating in and hosting business and technology workshops and seminars.
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