Applications to Participate in $2 Million OPI Business Accelerator in Downtown Rochester are Due by September 23 NYS Investment in Innovative OPI Competition Complements "Finger Lakes Forward"—The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today issued a reminder that the deadline to apply to take part in Round III of  Luminate NY— the world's largest business accelerator for startup firms with optics, photonics and imaging (OPI) enabled technologies —is quickly approaching. Applications must be submitted to compete for a spot in Round III by 11:59 PM Sept. 23, 2019. Luminate NY provides significant support to startups, including an initial $100,000 convertible note, expert mentorship, access to investors, lab facilities, curriculum. Upon graduation from the program in June 2020, the companies will compete for a total of $2 million in follow-on funding provided through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Startups accepted into Round III will receive immediate investment and will be admitted to the six-month accelerator program in Rochester beginning in Jan. 2020. Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, “Luminate NY puts emerging startups in the center of the imaging capital of the world, helping them to leverage all of the Finger Lakes Region’s vast OPI and manufacturing resources. The competition will enable these innovative entrepreneurs to bring their novel ideas to market faster, further advancing our Finger Lakes Forward vision.” Startups applying to Luminate NY, which is administered by NextCorps, must be incorporated, have at least two people working full-time on the business, and should have proven their core technology, preferably having developed a working prototype. NextCorps will select a total of 10 companies from the applicant pool for Round III. Dr. Sujatha Ramanujan, Managing Director, Luminate NY said, “Optics, photonics and imaging are key components of the technologies that are transforming almost every industry today. By giving OPI startups a platform for both business and technical development, we’re helping to advance the mission of these businesses, as well as the industries they serve.” The rigorous accelerator program provides customized curriculum to guide startups through actionable business planning that is focused on commercializing and scaling their businesses. Members also benefit from working alongside peer OPI startups in the program, leveraging best practices and helping each other toward success. Double Helix Optics was the $1 million winner of Luminate NY’s inaugural competition and Ovitz was the $1 million winner of Round II. Technologies from Cohort II include several industry firsts: individualized, vision-enhancing contact lens technology; the world's first parallax-free 360-degree camera; a seamless solution for cardiac monitoring using smart devices, artificial skin for robots that provides touch-sensitivity and feedback on limb positioning; and a diagnostic imaging solution for vision that reduces the costs of OCT units by 4 times. Senator Joseph Robach said, “We recently completed another Luminate NY competition, which has greatly added to our region’s growing reputation as a leader in optics, imagining and advanced technology. I encourage all emerging tech businesses and startups to look at the success of past Luminate NY competitors and apply to participate in this exciting program to help hone their craft and grow their business and ideas.” Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, “I encourage the many talented entrepreneurs in our region to apply for this next round of   Luminate New York Optics funding. This innovative program provides the funding for the entrepreneurial spirit that is needed for the future creative projects that will provide the future of job and economic growth for our state and nation. I know that this next round of funding will provide for great ideas that will help build a brighter future for our families.” Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said, "Luminate NY's ability to repeatedly attract high-quality applications from around the world demonstrates the wisdom of Governor Cuomo's decision to locate this high-tech business accelerator in Rochester and build on our reputation as an up-and-coming research and development hub, and I encourage tech startups to apply to build upon this success. Luminate NY gives business leaders a platform to bring their innovative ideas to the marketplace, which accelerates the growth of Rochester's knowledge economy. I remain grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for bringing these 21st century job creators to Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward and helping us achieve our goals of creating more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens." For more information about Luminate NY, click here. Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here. ​ Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Empire State Development (ESD) today welcomed the World Surf League's 2019 Longboard Tour to Long Beach, Nassau County. More than 100 professional surfers are expected to compete across the seven-day event, marking the league's first New York State event in eight years. The post-Labor Day competition is expected help extend the summer tourism season on Long Island while promoting the region as a travel and surf destination. ESD Acting Commissioner, and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, "Events like the World Surf League's Longboard Tour attract not only its talented competitors, but a unique, devoted global fanbase. Visitors exploring the Long Island communities whose cultures are deeply connected to New York’s coast help support jobs, local businesses, our regional economy and ensure New Yorkers benefit from an extended summer season.” The World Surf League's newly-formatted Longboard Tour (LT) launched in early 2019, with Long Beach as the third stop in a four-event circuit. Other locations include Queensland, Australia and Galicia, Spain, with the championships being held in Taiwan this December. Each Longboard Tour event awards 6,000 points toward World Longboard Championship ranking points, and a $30,000 prize purse each for women's and men's divisions, respectively. Long Island is the epicenter of the Northeast’s surfing culture, offering world-class waves and beautiful beaches, and is home to renowned international surf influencers and athletes. The New York Longboard Classic will be broadcast to an international audience and promote Long Island as a world-class family coastal destination. The WSL estimates that competitions typically generate more than $5 million in total event-related economic impact, with thousands of associated hotel room bookings. The tour stop in Long Beach was supported by a $243,000 Market New York grant, awarded during Round VIII of the state's Regional Council initiative. WSL Longboard Tour Manager Devon Howard said, "The New York community has been really excited to have the WSL back and it makes absolute sense to have a longboard stop there with the extensive history of longboard surfing there. One of the very first people to surf in North America was in the late 1800s in New York so their dedication to the sport speaks for itself." New York State Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "The World Surf League’s Longboard Tour event in Long Beach underscores what we’ve always known: New York State is the perfect place for picturesque views and serious surf. Long Island's beaches are second to none and we are excited to welcome the world’s best surfers and their fans for this prestigious competition." Kevin Law, Long Island Association President and Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, said, "Long Island is home to an outstanding coastline that allows unprecedented access to Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean and brings millions of visitors to our communities every year. The World Surf League will drive even more tourism while highlighting Long Island’s natural beauty – and we are proud to support them." Stuart Rabinowitz, Hofstra University President and Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, said, "Some of the best beaches in the country are here on Long Island, and we are glad to see the World Surf League agrees. We are excited to support this partnership, and look forward to all of the benefits it will bring." Discover Long Island President and CEO Kristen Jarnagin said, "We are excited to welcome the World Surf League’s New York Longboard Classic to Long Island this September. This international event shines a spotlight on the City of Long Beach as the epicenter for surfing on the East coast and establishes Long Island as a world-class family, sporting and events destination. With over 118-miles of coastline and our close connection to New York City, Long Island is the perfect escape for water-sport enthusiasts of all ages." Senator Todd Kaminsky said, "Long Beach is a world-class surfing destination, and the perfect venue to host this globally-renowned event. I welcome all the participants and spectators to our community and encourage them to take advantage of all our City and region offer." Assembly Member Melissa Miller said, "I’m thrilled to welcome this year’s World Surf League’s Longboard Classic to Long Beach. As a native to the barrier island, I believe Long Beach is the perfect spot for this event as surfing is one of the threads which make up this community! We are proud to be the American host for the week and we are excited to extend the tourism season a bit longer. We hope you enjoy everything Long Beach has to offer, including our wonderful restaurants, stores and hotels. I’m looking forward to a great week!" Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said, "Nassau County boasts a rich surfing history and is home to a passionate surf community, so we are thrilled to see it take its place as a top surfing destination. The World Surf League’s Long Board tour will draw the eyes of the world to our great waves, beautiful beaches, and local surf influencers and athletes. We’re committed to supporting this growing industry in Nassau, while fiercely protecting the natural environment that allows it to thrive. I thank Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development, and the World Surf Tour for helping bring this great event to our shores." Long Beach City Council President Anissa Moore said, "The City is absolutely thrilled to welcome the World Surf League Longboard Tour to Long Beach this year. Our community has a rich surfing history, and hosting a surfing event of this magnitude is a great way to shine the spotlight on our great City by the Sea." Last year, New York State welcomed a record 252.7 million visitors who spent $71.8 billion, generating a total economic impact of more than $100 billion for the fifth straight year. Tourism is now the state's third largest employer, supporting 957,800 jobs annually. Visitors to Long Island generated more than $6.1 billion in direct visitor spending in 2018. This represents a 4.5% spending increase over the previous year, and a nearly 27% increase since 2011. In addition, regional tourism generated over $740 million in State and local taxes. Founded in 1976 as the International Professional Surfers, the World Surf League is the governing body for professional surfers and organizes more than 25 global surfing competitions each year. In addition to promoting the sport, the league is also dedicated to sustainability by raising awareness about climate change and ocean pollution. The organization has committed to becoming carbon neutral and eliminating single-serve plastics at all events by the end of this year. About New York State New York State features 11 beautiful vacation regions, with landmarks like Niagara Falls, the largest park in the continental U.S. in the Adirondacks and treasures such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and the Corning Museum of Glass. New York State offers diverse activities for all: outdoor fun - snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding, fishing, hiking and boating, year-round festivals and exploring the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies. Visitors also enjoy the fine cuisine, beverage trails and farm-to-table fresh foods. Learn more at iloveny.com. About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand.  For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contacts: Adam Ostrowski (ESD) | [email protected] | (518) 292-5148 Jack Sterne (ESD) | [email protected] | (212) 803-3764