Gekko Photonics Won Luminate NY Accelerator Competition
The startup secured $1 million in funding after being named the Company of the Year by state officials.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Startups
Live Poll
Do you believe state-sponsored business accelerators help your local economy grow?
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Gekko Photonics has won the top prize in the Luminate NY accelerator competition. The startup received a $1 million investment as the Company of the Year for its innovation in the deep-tech sector.
Why it matters
The competition aims to boost regional innovation by requiring winning companies to establish operational footprints in the Finger Lakes region. This strategy is part of the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative, which funded the top investment.
Luminate NY has invested a total of $26 million in 96 startups since the program launched. Winning companies, which have created more than 205 jobs in New York State, must maintain an operational presence in the region for 18 months.
The players
Kathy Hochul
She is the current Governor of New York who oversees state economic development and innovation initiatives.
Gekko Photonics
This is a technology company based in Wroclaw, Poland, that secured the Company of the Year title in the competition.
Luminate NY
This is an international accelerator program based in Rochester that supports optics, photonics, and imaging startups.
Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative
This is a state-funded economic development program focused on revitalizing the Finger Lakes region through targeted investments.
The details
Judges selected the winners after a rigorous six-month program involving company pitches and detailed due diligence. In addition to the grand prize, other startups including AB Photonics, Brightlight Photonics, Hypervision LTD, Phlotonics, and Ciconia Medical received funding ranging from $10,000 to $400,000.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Luminate NY winners.
January 11, 2027: This is the application deadline for the tenth round of the accelerator program.
Market Landscape
The accelerator program anchors global deep-tech firms to the regional economy by leveraging state-backed financial incentives. This integration positions Rochester as a hub for photonics while strengthening the competitive standing of New York State in the global optics market.
The program creates local employment opportunities by requiring winning companies to establish 18-month operational footprints in the Finger Lakes region. Residents may see increased job growth in the technology sector as these startups begin their mandatory local expansion.
The takeaway
The success of this accelerator program demonstrates how targeted state investments can attract international talent to develop local industrial hubs. These efforts continue to turn academic and research innovations into tangible regional economic assets.
What happens next
Applications for Round 10 of the Luminate NY accelerator are open until the deadline on January 11, 2027, with future support provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation STELLAR Engine.
Further reading
For more information on local entrepreneurial activity, visit the Startups section.
More information
Prospective applicants can review program requirements or submit materials via the Luminate NY accelerator application portal.
Live Poll
Do you believe state-sponsored business accelerators help your local economy grow?
