irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.88MTHE MEP CENTER AT NEXTCORPS CONNECTS PRINTER, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, OR PRODUCTION-RELATED COMPANIES LOCATED IN ROCHESTER AND THE FINGER LAKES REGION TO LOCAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS AND GROWTH. MORE THAN 90 PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED OVER THE LAST FOUR QUARTERS FOR CLIENTS, RESULTING IN APPROXIMATELY $190 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT AND 695 JOBS CREATED OR RETAINED (CLIENT REPORTED DATA). ADDITIONALLY, THE CENTER OFFERED ASSISTANCE TO STARTUP COMPANIES THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEIR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED.
- #2 $1.80MA GLOBAL ACCELERATOR PROGRAM, COMPETITION, AND INVESTMENT MECHANISM THAT IMPROVES THE INVESTMENT READINESS AND COMMERCIALIZATION TRAJECTORY OF STARTUPS THAT ARE DEVELOPING DEEP TECH ENABLED BY OPTICS, PHOTONICS, OR IMAGING. COMPANIES ACCEPTED INTO LUMINATE ARE SOLVING PRESSING PROBLEMS IN ALMOST EVERY INDUSTRY, FROM AUGMENTED/VIRTUAL REALITY, AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND LIFE SCIENCES, TO QUANTUM COMPUTING, SECURITY, AGTECH, AND MUCH MORE. BY GRANT DESIGN, THE PROGRAM SURPLUS IS APPLIED AS INVESTMENT IN PROMISING PARTICIPANTS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Embark
Free part-time training program teaching no-code software development to residents of Monroe County, NY, with phases focused on skill-building, certification, and startup launch support
Luminate
Global accelerator program and competition for deep tech startups enabled by optics, photonics, or imaging, providing funding, mentoring, and commercialization support
MEP Center
Program connecting manufacturing, printing, food and beverage, and production-related companies in the Finger Lakes region to resources for competitiveness and growth
Startup Incubation
Incubation services for early-stage technology companies offering mentorship, lab access, investor connections, and office resources at the NextCorps facility in downtown Rochester
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 3 activities
- Operating a manufacturing accelerator for hardware and climate tech startupsRuns a free virtual and in-person accelerator program that helps hardware and climate tech startups transition from prototype to mass production, using Manufacturing Readiness Level metrics and Build4Scale curriculum. The program includes MRL assessments, design for manufacturing, and connections to contract manufacturers.
- Providing incubation and growth services to technology startupsOffers incubation services including mentorship, education, access to investors, hands-on coaching, and resource access to improve startup success rates. Operates a prototype lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and wet lab/optics-electronics lab rentals, and provides access to a digital media studio.
- Supporting climate tech startups in scaling hardware solutionsProvides targeted support to climate tech startups developing hardware solutions, helping them accelerate manufacturing timelines, prepare for first customers and pilot runs, and strengthen business operations to achieve faster and more cost-effective paths to market.
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Regional Economic Development Initiatives 1 activity
- Delivering manufacturing support services to regional companiesProvides project planning, funding assistance, and administrative support to over 150–200 manufacturers and production-related companies annually in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact and over 1,000 jobs created or retained each year.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosting startup engagement and pitch eventsOrganizes regular events including monthly lunch & learn sessions, founder roundtables, client happy hours, and multi-week programs like Startup Wednesday Rochester, which engages over 40 participants and culminates in team pitches and awards.
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Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Training 1 activity
- Partnering in regional laser innovation and workforce developmentParticipates as a key partner in the NSF STELLAR Engine initiative, a $15 million National Science Foundation-funded effort to advance laser innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development in the Rochester/Finger Lakes region.
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Tech Skills Training for Underserved Groups 1 activity
- Training individuals in no-code software developmentOffers a free, part-time training program that teaches no-code development skills, certifies up to 25 participants annually, and provides startup launch guidance to up to 10. Weekly in-person and virtual sessions support participants in building scalable web and mobile applications.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Funding deep tech startups in optics, photonics, and imagingAwards $3 million annually in non-dilutive funding to 10 startups, with each accepted company receiving $100,000 initially and up to $2 million available for top performers. Program surplus is reinvested in promising participants.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.20M
Contributions & grants$11.32M86%
Program service revenue$1.71M13%
Investment income$174K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$10.04M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$4.20M
Grants paid out$827K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$44.80M
Cash$8.96M
Investments$21.30M
Liabilities$8.25M
Net assets$36.55M
Liquid reserves36.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVE DEWHURST | DIRECTOR | 1 | $676K |
| PETER G ROBINSON | DIRECTOR & CHAIRMAN | 1 | $650K |
| THERESA B MAZZULLO | DIRECTOR | 1 | $368K |
board members · 12
- ANA LISS — DIRECTOR
- ARUNAS CHESONIS — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTINE B WHITMAN — DIRECTOR - THRU NOV 2024
- DAN BURNS — DIRECTOR
- DANA MILLER — DIRECTOR
- JAMES S SENALL — DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT
- JAY POPLI — DIRECTOR & TREASURER
- JEFFREY QUAIN — DIRECTOR
- JOE WESLEY — DIRECTOR - THRU FEB 2025
- LORI GREEN — DIRECTOR, VICE CHAIR & SEC
- RYNE RAFFAELLE — DIRECTOR
- TIMOTHY THANEY — DIRECTOR
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Amazon Web Services Partner — Provides AWS credits and software discounts to members.
- County of Monroe COMIDA Industrial Development Agency Funder — Funds the NextCorps Embark program, enabling free participation for Monroe County residents.
- Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation Government — Funder of the Manufacturing Accelerator program administered by NextCorps.
- M&T Bank Partner — Partner in launching scholarships and providing resources for aspiring tech entrepreneurs.
- MEP Center Partner — Collaborative program delivering technical and business assistance to manufacturing companies
- Manufacturing Extension Partner program Government — Grant provider that funds projects for manufacturers participating in the Manufacturing Accelerator.
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers Network — Network of technical and funding support partners connected to program participants.
- NEXTCORPS INC Network — For ClimateTech is a program operated by NEXTCORPS INC to support climate tech innovation.
- NYSTAR division of Empire State Development Government — State-level funding partner enabling access to financial resources for manufacturing projects.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Government — Federal funding partner providing access to grant opportunities for manufacturer clients.
- National Science Foundation Government — Recipient of NSF funding through participation in the STELLAR Engine award, supporting regional tech and workforce development.
- NewYorkBIO Partner — Co-hosts educational workshops to connect life sciences entrepreneurs with resources, funding, and statewide networks.
- NoCode Alliance Partner — Co-founded by JJ Englert, who is involved in the Embark program as a contributor or advisor.
- RIT Partner — Co-developer of program resources for the Manufacturing Accelerator.
- Rochester Institute of Technology Partner — Represented on the Board, indicating institutional collaboration.
- Rochester optics and photonics ecosystem Partner — Strategic partnerships and synergies with the regional optics and photonics industry in Rochester.
- University of Rochester Government — Affiliate organization of the University of Rochester.
- University of Rochester Partner — Collaborates with URochester on the NSF STELLAR Engine initiative to advance laser innovation and manufacturing in the region.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Capital-and-Connections Accelerator Modelmethodology: capital_and_connections_acceleratorBy combining direct investment with access to expert networks and tailored resources, startups achieve faster commercialization and market entry because financial and social capital are de-risked simultaneously.
- Ecosystem Connectivity and Mentorship-Driven Growthmethodology: ecosystem_connectivity_with_mentorshipBy linking entrepreneurs to capital, customers, experienced mentors, and community resources, startups gain resilience and market traction because support is multi-dimensional and leverages proven entrepreneurial experience.
- Founder-Centered Acceleration with Milestone-Driven Pathwaysmethodology: founder_centered_milestone_drivenBy structuring support around the founder’s journey and aligning it with measurable manufacturing and commercialization milestones, startups advance more efficiently because the process is both human-centered and systematically de-risked.
- Manufacturing De-Risking Through Integrated Readiness Frameworksmethodology: manufacturing_de_risking_with_mrlBy applying standardized federal Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) and connecting startups to mentors and funding, production risks are reduced because companies gain clarity on technical and operational requirements early.
- No-Code Enabled Digital Entrepreneurshipmethodology: no_code_entrepreneurshipBy training non-technical founders in no-code development, barriers to software entrepreneurship are lowered because individuals can rapidly prototype and scale applications without formal coding expertise.