Catalyzing the Rochester / Finger Lakes Region of New York’s Future in
Science,
Technology and
Engineering of
Laser and
Laser
Applications
Research
A U.S. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION REGIONAL INNOVATION ENGINE
Why lasers?
The laser was first theorized and demonstrated by American scientists and engineers, and the NSF STELLAR Engine in the Rochester/Finger Lakes Region of New York aims to help reassert American dominance in the crucial technology. An estimated $16 trillion global marketplace depends on lasers for everything from smartphones to national defense.
What makes STELLAR unique?
The NSF Engine will advance the Science, Technology and Engineering of Lasers and Laser Applications Research (STELLAR) for manufacturing, defense, communications and healthcare, strengthening U.S. competitiveness in global markets. Bringing together the region’s more than 150 laser and photonics companies, the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, The Institute of Optics—the nation’s original optics educational program—and a robust network of research, commercialization, workforce, and economic development partners, STELLAR will bolster innovations in lasers while expanding career pathways and entrepreneurship opportunities.
11
Counties in
New York State Served
91
Collaborating Academic, Industry, Government & Non-Profit Organizations
10x
Targeted Economic Growth
in 10 Years
WHY THE ROC/FLX REGION?
Density of talent and patent activity with specialized firms and workers second only to Silicon Valley
Optics Patents
#1 region for optics patents per 1,000 workers in the nation
Total Optics Degrees
Accounts for 60% of total optics degrees in the United States
Engineering & Technicians
#1 for engineering, engineering technologies, and technicians per capita
Supply Chain & Workforce
Top 5 for optics, photonics, imaging, and lasers (OPI+L) supply chain and skilled workforce (by Location Quotient)
150+ OPI+L companies
Recent STELLAR News
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Sujatha Ramanujan named CEO of NSF STELLAR Engine
Sujatha Ramanujan has been named CEO of the NSF STELLAR Engine, led by the University of Rochester. The initiative leverages $31M in federal and NY…
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Governor Hochul Announces Round Nine Winners of Luminate NY Startup Accelerator and Competition
Governor Hochul announced Gekko Photonics as the $1 million “Company of the Year” winner in Round 9 of Rochester’s Luminate NY accelerator, awarding over $2…
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10 Deep-Tech Startups, $2 Million and Rochester’s Next Wave of Innovation
Ten deep-tech startups will compete in NextCorps’ Luminate Finals 2026 on Sept. 30 in Rochester, with up to $2 million in follow-on funding on the…
NSF Engine Coalition
Leadership Organizations
