NextCorps

This is what happens when we give our Gen Z girlies complete creative liberty.🤦 At least we’re not “giving boomer” anymore… right? #genz

We love our home in the historic Sibley Building. Here’s how to get to us. ✨ Whether you’re here for an event, a tour, or just stopping in, we’re excited to have you!

Welcome to our new followers! 👋 It's nice to meet you! NextCorps’ facility is repeatedly named one of Rochester’s coolest spaces to work. Located in Sibley Square, we’re at the epicenter of the region’s Innovation Zone, serving as a launchpad for startups and emerging technologies. Explore all our facility has to offer — from open coworking space, private and group meeting areas, and offices of all sizes, to fully equipped labs where you can further develop your innovation. Click the link in our bio to learn more + take a virtual tour! #Rochester #Innovation #Accelerator #Startup #Entreprenuership #Incubation

This past Thursday our first Beyond the Sketch event in partnership with @nextcorps was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who came out to hear from our experienced panel of speakers and who stuck around to say cheers at Startup drinks! This event focused on the value of prototyping and the resources available to developers right here in the FabLab. Our next event is already in the works and will tackle a different stage in the product development process: manufacturing. Follow us to make sure you get the info, you won’t want to miss it!

We’re proud to be members of the @urochester -led coalition to make the Rochester and Finger Lakes region a national hub for laser science and development. The STELLAR project (Science, Technology and Engineering for Laser and Laser Applications Research) is one of 15 nationwide finalists in consideration for the second NSF Engines competition. The initiative could help the U.S. grow its stake in a $16 trillion global marketplace powered by lasers, building on Rochester’s network of 150+ optics, photonics, imaging, and laser supply chain companies. As Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Luminate Accelerator, shared, “Rochester already has the infrastructure in place to support the laser industry. STELLAR could propel us into the next generation of science-based business.” Project key partners: @urochester , @rochesterbiz , @rittigers , @monroeccrochester , @futureisoptics , @nygov

The return of Startup Drinks at NextCorps was a hit. We laughed, we drank, and most importantly, we connected away from our computer screens. Missed it? We’re just getting started! Join us on the fourth Thursday of each month for a casual meetup where interesting people talk startups, startup ideas, and side projects. 🍻 A special thank you to @airyacresvines , @flxciderhouse , @wagnerbrewing , and @fallstreetbrewingco for donating delicious options!

Cozy igloo✔️ Good food✔️ Great company✔️ We loved spending time together as a team at Roc Holiday Village last week. ❄️🎁 Wishing our community a happy holiday season and looking forward to what we’ll build together in the year ahead! ✨ P.S. Go, Bills! 🦬❤️💙

With 15 years of experience building and scaling tech companies, Zoe Koulouris brings a rare blend of technical expertise and leadership insight to NextCorps as our newest Entrepreneur in Residence. Zoe’s career is rooted in curiosity and grit. Early on, she helped launch a health software company and dove into software development to bridge the gap between business and tech—experience that led her to co-found a software consulting agency that grew from four partners to a 25-person team serving clients nationwide. When the company was acquired, Zoe led her team through the transition and stepped into a fast-paced, venture-backed startup environment as VP of Product. Today, through Transform With Irini and her role as an EIR at NextCorps, Zoe works with founders and leaders to strengthen teams, navigate growth, and align organizations for sustainable success. Welcome aboard, Zoe! We’re thrilled to have you in our startup community. 🔗 Learn more about Zoe’s journey and approach to leadership in the link in bio.

We had a spooktacular time at our first annual Pumpkin Carving Competition! 🎃 With Halloween around the corner, NextCorps staff and clients gathered in the kitchen to enjoy sweet treats and apple cider, and vote for their favorite carving. 🏆Congrats to the Photonect Interconnect Solutions team for taking home 1st place! Until next year… 👻

NextCorps is buzzing with great conversations, local connections, and the hum of live music and the popcorn machine as we co-host the NYSTAR Reception alongside NYSTAR and @fuzehub . Special thanks to our sponsors @nixonpeabodyllp , @_oneroc , @woodsoviattgilmanllp , and @mmbandco for helping make this evening possible. We'll see everyone tomorrow at the NYS Innovation Summit! Amazing food from @labolarochester , sweet treats from @kccakes2021 (a member of @roccommissary ), and feel-good tunes by @thisisntchaz .

The AI Startup Jam brought more than 40 innovators together at NextCorps this past weekend for an intense, fast-paced challenge: to transform ideas into working software prototypes in just 48 hours. Made possible by the @springboard_ny Prize Competition and supported by the @rcwjrf , this high-energy event empowered participants to experiment, collaborate, and bring new solutions to life. Special thanks to Lovable for donating credits to its platform, which helped teams bring their ideas to life even faster. Congratulations to our winners! 🏆 1st Place ($1,000 & 1 year of free NextCorps incubation services): Kyla Brown with Closet OS, an AI-powered digital styling app 🥈 2nd Place ($500): Manasvi Patwa with ReSpeak, a speech practice companion accelerating the recovery of stroke victims 🥉 3rd Place ($250): Jack Heltzel with Nest Egg, an approachable way for younger people to manage their finances A huge thank you to everyone who participated, mentored, and supported this incredible event. The creativity and passion on display proved that once again that Rochester’s startup community is vibrant, visionary, and ready to lead in the AI era.

Luminate Finals 2025 brought together visionary founders, groundbreaking technology, and an audience energized by the power of light. Congratulations to this year’s winners! 🏆 $1M Company of the Year: Pensievision 🌟 $500K Outstanding Graduate: amPICQ Inc. 🎖️ $200K Distinguished Graduates: Oblate Optics, Pixel Photonics, SNOChip 👏 $10K Audience Choice: LirOptic A huge thank you to our sponsor, @spiephotonics , and our funder, Empire State Development. Special thanks to Luminate’s Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan for moderating our panel with: Francisco Aguilar of Bounce Imaging, Chuck Gershman of Owl Autonomous Imaging, and Dr. Juniyali Nauriyal of Photonect Interconnect Solutions. It was a fantastic opportunity to show our audience the impressive milestones our alumni have achieved since graduating from Luminate. To cohort 8: what an extraordinary journey! Whether you left with funding or new connections, you’ve each achieved something remarkable. You’ll always be part of the Luminate family, and we can’t wait to see how your innovations continue to grow and make an impact. And to all our vendors, staff, and partners—thank you for making this event shine. 💡