Two LI manufacturers are finalists in statewide innovation contest | Long Island Business News

Two manufacturing firms from Long Island have been named as finalists in FuzeHub’s eighth annual statewide Commercialization Competition. 

In the competition, part of the Empire State Development-supported FuzeHub Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, a dozen entrepreneurs have a chance to win $50,000 by pitching their business plan before a panel of judges and a live audience, while one company will be chosen to receive the $150,000 top prize. 

Among the Long Island finalists is Bellmore-based Lupo Inventions LLC for its Just Right Baby Bottle Maker, which provides a baby bottle with advanced mixing technology, precise temperature controls, and portability. The rechargeable invention fits in cup holders for the car and stroller, blending and warming baby formula/breast milk with temperature control. 

Ronkonkoma-based SynchroPET Inc. is the other Long Island finalist for its Pre-Clinical Small Animal PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scanner. The company has commercialized a new way to build PET scanners to eliminate thousands of wires and components associated with processing PET data and replaced them with an ASIC microchip. This patented design enables them to build PET scanners that have same as or higher performance and are much smaller, cheaper, MRI compatible, and more flexible. 

The Commercialization Competition will be held during the New York State Innovation Summit on Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the Syracuse Oncenter Convention Center. During the Summit, finalists will demonstrate the commercialization potential of their product or technology and compete against each other for one out of seven awards. Award funds must be used to improve an existing prototype or go-to-market strategy, enabling the company to pursue additional investments and customers, and leading to the successful commercialization of their product. 

“Innovation is hard, which is why New York State has invested significant resources to help knock down barriers for entrepreneurs with big ideas,” Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), said in a written statement. “Each of this year’s finalists has incredible potential to create jobs for New Yorkers, strengthen regional economies, and bring solutions to society’s toughest challenges. Congratulations to all, and I look forward to a great competition in October.” 

The summit creates opportunities to learn, connect with entrepreneurs, potential customers, investors, and support service professionals, and see how the FuzeHub nonprofit aims to spur technology development and commercialization across the state. 

“I would like to take a moment to celebrate our 12 outstanding finalists” Patty Rechberger, Innovation Fund Manager at FuzeHub, said in the statement. “It is a significant accomplishment to reach this stage. These companies have proven that they have what it takes to break through the noise and the tenacity required to turn their innovative ideas into reality. I cannot wait to work with them to get ready for their live pitches at the summit.”