News From the Innovation Law Center

Innovation Law Center

The ILC is the designated NYS Science & Technology Law Center. It is funded by the Empire State Development Corp. to provide information and research on legal issues relevant to the technology commercialization process. Research is available to early-stage companies, research centers, economic development agencies, technology transfer offices, and researchers throughout New York State. Research on the intellectual property, competitive, and market landscapes relevant to a new technology are completed by law and business students under the supervision of faculty.

If you are interested in having the ILC complete research, please submit a request here.

Back to Class:

Fall 2025 classes have kicked off at the Syracuse University College of Law, welcoming a new cohort of law students into the Innovation Law Center (ILC). These students will explore intellectual property, marketing, and regulatory issues related to innovative technologies. Their research will be conducted as part of the LAW 815 Innovation Law Practicum course, as well as through NYSTAR-funded independent student research.

IP / Regulatory Law Watch

New Law Requires Commerce to Report on Export of Key Tech to High-Risk Countries

President Donald Trump has signed the “Maintaining American Superiority by Improving Export Control Transparency Act” (H.R. 1316), a bipartisan law requiring the Commerce Department to submit annual reports to Congress on export license applications involving dual-use technologies bound for U.S.-arms-embargoed countries. The new reporting mandate, sponsored by Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) and Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Mark Warner (D-VA), is designed to strengthen oversight of sensitive technologies and prevent adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring cutting-edge American innovations. Read more about the legislation here.

Around NY State

2 companies founded in CNY are finalists in $3M Genius NY competition

Empire State Development has announced the five finalists for the ninth round of the Genius NY accelerator, the world’s largest business competition for uncrewed systems and robotics. Among them are Modovolo, a drone startup based in Oneida County, and Lamarr AI, co-founded by a Syracuse University professor. Each finalist will receive up to $500,000 in funding, mentorship, and business support as they scale operations in Central New York, with one winner earning the $1 million grand prize at a public pitch competition on May 7, 2026. Since 2017, Genius NY has invested nearly $24 million in 42 startups, helping them raise more than $350 million in follow-on funding and create hundreds of jobs in New York State. Read more about the finalists here.

Upcoming Events

3rd Annual Renewable Energy Pathways Conference: Navigating a weather-driven energy sector

What: Bringing together experts and decision-makers to discuss the co-dependency of the expanding renewable energy supply and grid operations on weather in the Northeast and nationally. Register here.
When: September 10th & 11th., 2025
Where: UAlbany ETEC Building, Albany, NY

Save the Date: Launch NY Shift 2.0 Webinar

What: Understanding New Technologies
When: September 24, 2025
Where: Zoom – Register here.

Latest Developments in Customer Discovery

What: Speaker will discuss the latest developments in the field, such as AI-generated prospective customer personae and generative AI CD moderation. Click here to register.
When: October 16, 2025 @ 3:00 pm
Where: Zoom

SAVE THE DATE: 2025 Innovation Summit

What: The event serves as an opportunity to foster collaboration; introduce industry experts that can assist growth, strengthen our statewide innovation ecosystem, and showcase promising early-stage companies. Whether you’re a startup, an economic developer, or an established manufacturer, the NYS Innovation Summit is for you.
When: October 29-30, 2025
Where: Rochester, NY

SAVE THE DATE: Alan W. Rothschild Innovation Award 2nd Annual $10,000 Biotech Innovation Pitch Event

What: The Alan W. Rothschild Innovation Award honors Alan’s life, which was one of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The Award’s purpose is to further the development and advancement of emerging science and new technologies. It provides financial support to individuals and startups that demonstrate excellence in innovation. For more info and to register.
When: November 12, 2025, 2:00 – 4:45 p.m.
Where: 841 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY

SAVE THE DATE: LifeScienceNY Together ’25

What: A dinner and awards ceremony honoring bio/med leaders and innovators will take place on November 12th, followed by a day of in-depth industry discussions and numerous networking opportunities. For more info.
When: November 12th-13th
Where: Marriott Syracuse Downtown

Do you have an event or schedule you would like to advertise? Contact Karen Scullion at nysstlc@syr.edu to share it in our next monthly newsletter.

Funding Opportunities

From early-stage non-dilutive funding to tax benefits and investment funds, NYS has a number of funding resources for inventors and entrepreneurs. Check out the links below for more information:

USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program
- The USPTO has a directory for participating law schools throughout the U.S.
VLA Patent Pro Bono Program
- Volunteer Lawyers of the Arts helps inventors in the NYC area with drafting patent applications.
Empire State Development
- ESD offers several resources, including: Start-UP NY, the Innovate NY Fund, NY Ventures, and the Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
FuzeHub
- This company points to a collection of resources for manufacturing and technology start-ups.
43North
- 43North annually invests in startup companies located in Buffalo, NY.
Pursuit Lending
- Pursuit provides loans and information for small business owners in NY.
America’s Seed Fund
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) invests in early-stage projects with this fund.
NYS Investment Entities, Including:

Questions or Suggestions: Contact Innovation Review Editor Patrick Cramer at nysstlc@syr.edu