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Rev Ithaca Startup Works Opens Applications for 2025 Prototyping Hardware Accelerator

Rev Ithaca Startup Works has officially started accepting applications for its much-anticipated 2025 Prototyping Hardware Accelerator, aimed at guiding entrepreneurs to bring their innovative physical product concepts to market. This summer-long program is structured to help participants evaluate the commercial viability, technological feasibility, and economic potential of their product ideas.

Comprehensive Support for Entrepreneurs

The accelerator is not just a typical startup program; it offers participating teams up to $2,000 in funding specifically for prototype development. Alongside this financial support, members gain access to Rev's state-of-the-art prototyping lab, equipped to facilitate hands-on product development.

Over a rigorous 10-week curriculum, teams will undergo three intensive phases: feasibility assessment, the development of proof of concept, and fine-tuning their prototype and pitch. This comprehensive approach ensures that no stone is left unturned, ultimately leading to a standout Demo Day event. Here, entrepreneurs present their innovations in front of potential investors and community partners, effectively illustrating their product's value, customer needs, and strong business plans through polished pitches.

Deanna Kocher, the Assistant Director of Hardware Programs, emphasizes the excitement of working with early-stage entrepreneurs, stating, "Supporting early-stage entrepreneurs is one of the most exciting times in development, as prototypes and products can move very quickly when they are first coming to life."

Diverse Tracks for Varied Innovations

Since its inception in 2014, the program has been dedicated to fostering hardware startups and now offers four tailored tracks, ensuring that participants receive specialized training that aligns with their industry focus:

• - Classic Track: Open to all innovators, this track provides essential training applicable across different sectors, ensuring solid foundational knowledge for all participants.
• - ClimateTech Track: This track joins like-minded startups with mentors in clean energy fields, fostering a community for collaboration and growth.
• - AgTech Track: Specifically aimed at agriculture technology startups, participants receive specialized insights and connections to the industry, from cultivation techniques to food processing solutions.
• - MedTech Track: New this year and offered in partnership with Cornell Biomedical Engineering and Weill Cornell, this track focuses on medical device innovators, providing access to regulatory resources and industry professionals.

Ken Rother, the Director of Rev Ithaca Startup Works, notes, "Our program has a proven track record of helping innovators transform their ideas into viable businesses. The addition of our MedTech track, supported by a $2 million grant, further expands our ability to support specialized innovation in the healthcare sector."

Open to All Eager Innovators

Operating out of Ithaca, New York, the Prototyping Hardware Accelerator is open to anyone with a physical product concept. Importantly, participant teams are not required to have a legally established LLC prior to applying, making the opportunity accessible to a wider range of aspiring entrepreneurs. While software-only projects are not eligible, they can qualify if integrated with a physical product.

Throughout the program, entrepreneurs will not only gain mentorship from seasoned industry professionals but will also have access to beneficial networks, a series of workshops, and technical support from experienced hardware engineers. Specialized pitch training further equips participants with the skills necessary to capture investor interest.

By the conclusion of this rigorous program, graduates will be well-prepared to finalize their teams, forge partnerships, collaborate with manufacturers, and engage with prospective investors, fully equipped to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

How to Apply

Applications for the 2025 cohort will be accepted on a rolling basis, providing flexibility for interested entrepreneurs. For those eager to learn more about the accelerator and to submit their applications, they can visit the official Prototyping Hardware Accelerator homepage. This initiative by Rev Ithaca Startup Works marks a significant step in fostering entrepreneurial innovation, and the 2025 Accelerator promises to be no exception as it continues its mission to support the next generation of hardware innovators.