We Build What’s Next — From the Lab to the Market
The NJII Venture Studio turns breakthrough ideas into high-potential startups grounded in IP. Backed by an $11.6M fund and based at the Profeta Center in Newark, we work with inventors, researchers, and corporate partners to launch companies from New Jersey’s most promising innovations.
What We Look For
We build and invest in companies with:
- IP from NJIT, NJ research universities, corporations, or independent researchers
- Clear alignment with NJII’s strengths: AI/ML, Human Health, and Advanced Manufacturing
- De-risked through early alignment with corporate partners
- The ability to reach a major financial milestone within 18 months of investment
How We Build
We launch 2–3 new ventures each year, selecting from a pipeline of 100+ ideas. Each company gets capital, team support, a home base, and a clear path to scale.
- Source Ideas: We scout IP and pre-incorporation ideas from universities, corporations, and independent inventors.
- Engage Partners: We pair strong concepts with corporate partners as co-builders, funders, and first customers.
- Build the Business: We drive business planning, financial modeling, customer discovery, and market validation.
- Form & Fund the Company: We incorporate new C-Corps and invest up to $1M into each venture.
- Launch with Talent: We place experienced operators to lead the business from the Profeta Center in Newark and execute the 18-month business plan.
- Accelerate: We provide back-office infrastructure and hands-on support through an 18-month build phase.
Let's Build, Together.
Whether you're a founder, funder, or technologist, there's a place for you in the NJII Venture Studio.
Corporate Partners
Looking for R&D co-builds, spinouts, or early access to innovation in your vertical? Let’s collaborate.
Entrepreneurs & Executives
Want to run a venture-backed startup in Newark? Join us as a founding CEO.
University Researchers
Have IP and want to bring it to life? Let's turn it into a company.
Tech Transfer Offices
Looking for a commercialization partner with funding and execution capacity? That's us.
Ready to build?
If you're holding the next big idea in AI, healthcare, or advanced manufacturing — or want to run one — we want to meet you. Let’s talk
A New Model for Commercialization, Powered by Partnerships
About NJII
The New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) is a 501c3 organization wholly owned by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). As an independent corporation, NJII is uniquely positioned to be agile, entrepreneurial, and opportunistic. NJII is focused on accelerating technology and fostering innovation in order to have a positive economic impact in New Jersey. To date, NJII has generated over $330M in revenue during its ten years of operation across its four divisions (Healthcare, Defense, Continued Learning, Entrepreneurship) and today has a team of 120 staff. Learn more.
Get In Touch
3 Ways to get involved - Talk to us about your idea, Partner with us, Join the team. Submit below to get started.