Michael Van Ter Sluis, Author at NJII https://www.njii.com/author/mvs/ New Jersey Innovation Institute Wed, 03 Sep 2025 18:59:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.njii.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-NJII_icon_red_logo_noBG_square-01-32x32.png Michael Van Ter Sluis, Author at NJII https://www.njii.com/author/mvs/ 32 32 MDSS Startups Making Waves: From ARPA-H Awards to AI-Driven Cancer Breakthroughs https://www.njii.com/2025/08/mdss-startups-making-waves-from-arpa-h-awards-to-ai-driven-cancer-breakthroughs/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:19:19 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=20842 The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS) continues to deliver on its mission to accelerate groundbreaking digital health and biotech startups. With recent milestones from several alumni, the studio’s unique combination of mentorship, capital, and corporate ...

The post MDSS Startups Making Waves: From ARPA-H Awards to AI-Driven Cancer Breakthroughs appeared first on NJII.

]]>
The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS) continues to deliver on its mission to accelerate groundbreaking digital health and biotech startups. With recent milestones from several alumni, the studio’s unique combination of mentorship, capital, and corporate access is clearly helping to turn early-stage innovation into real-world impact.

Here are two notable updates from MDSS portfolio companies shaping the future of precision oncology.


Serinus Bio Named on $23.6M ARPA-H Award for Predictive Cancer Modeling

Serinus Bio, an MDSS Cohort 2 company, has been selected as a key partner on a major ARPA-H award led by Trey Ideker, the company’s scientific cofounder and a professor at UC San Diego. The award provides up to $23.6 million in funding for a project titled Dynamic Digital Tumors for Precision Oncology.

The initiative aims to transform cancer care by building AI-based Drug Recommender Engines (DREs) that can simulate tumor evolution and predict therapy response. These tools are designed to support more accurate and personalized treatment decisions in oncology.

Serinus Bio is contributing its proprietary platform for mapping protein-protein interactions. Unlike traditional approaches that target and neutralize individual proteins, Serinus focuses on identifying combination therapies that disrupt critical protein-protein interaction networks specific to each disease. This approach has the potential to address therapeutic resistance and uncover new, more effective treatment strategies while minimizing negative side effects.

This award marks a major validation of Serinus’s platform and highlights the growing role of systems biology in the future of cancer therapeutics.


Nine Diagnostics and Orbits Oncology Team Up on Biomarker Discovery

Two other MDSS alumni, Nine Diagnostics (Cohort 3) and Orbits Oncology (Cohort 2), have announced a collaboration that brings together their respective platforms to advance biomarker discovery in oncology.

Nine Diagnostics has developed a novel nanosensor-based system that leverages AI for high-throughput proteomics and metabolomics. This technology enables rapid, multiplexed detection of biological signatures in clinical samples.

Orbits Oncology, on the other hand, has built an AI-powered computational platform to match cancer patients with the most appropriate therapies based on patient-tumor-specific organoids. The collaboration will combine Nine’s detection capabilities with Orbits’ organoids and predictive algorithms to identify and validate new multi-modal signature profiles that could accelerate therapy matching and improve outcomes for patients.

This partnership exemplifies a growing trend in the biotech sector towards combining molecular tools and AI platforms to deliver more personalized, effective treatments for patients.


About the Merck Digital Sciences Studio

​The Merck Digital Sciences Studio is a collaboration between Merck and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a New Jersey Institute of Technology corporation, with investments from the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures and McKesson Ventures. Technology support is provided by Microsoft for Startups.

Through curated cohorts and intensive support, MDSS continues to empower biotech startups tackling some of the most complex challenges in healthcare—from drug development to diagnostics and patient care.

The post MDSS Startups Making Waves: From ARPA-H Awards to AI-Driven Cancer Breakthroughs appeared first on NJII.

]]>
A New Blueprint for Innovation: How the NJII Venture Studio Is Redefining University-Corporate https://www.njii.com/2025/07/a-new-blueprint-for-innovation-how-the-njii-venture-studio-is-redefining-university-corporate/ Tue, 29 Jul 2025 18:22:31 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=20729 As America’s research universities face tightening federal budgets, the innovation economy is entering a period of uncertainty. With declining federal R&D support on the horizon, universities must find new pathways to sustain and commercialize research. ...

The post A New Blueprint for Innovation: How the NJII Venture Studio Is Redefining University-Corporate appeared first on NJII.

]]>
As America’s research universities face tightening federal budgets, the innovation economy is entering a period of uncertainty. With declining federal R&D support on the horizon, universities must find new pathways to sustain and commercialize research. At the same time, corporations looking for innovation are increasingly seeking direct partnerships with academia to stay competitive. The NJII Venture Studio offers a new model for this emerging reality: a platform that brings together academic discovery, entrepreneurial leadership, and corporate strategy to build and fund new companies. A joint initiative of the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the Studio is redefining how research becomes innovation, and how public-private collaboration can drive long-term economic growth.

Beyond Traditional Tech Transfer

Most university research never makes it to market. Traditional tech transfer models, which rely on licensing intellectual property to outside firms, often leave promising technologies on the shelf. Industry interest is inconsistent, academic inventors are sidelined, and the licensing terms rarely align incentives in a meaningful way. The NJII Venture Studio addresses this disconnect directly. Instead of waiting for companies to license technologies, the Studio forms new ventures around high-potential innovations, then provides them with capital, executive talent, and operational support. Each startup is carefully structured, staffed, and aligned with a corporate sponsor to ensure market relevance and strategic value from day one. This integrated approach ensures that researchers, corporations, and founders work together to create companies that are both technically viable and commercially scalable.

A Modern Alternative for Corporate R&D

For corporations, the Studio offers more than deal flow. It is a mechanism for structured, capital-efficient innovation. Corporate partners work directly with NJII and its university network to shape new ventures aligned with their strategic needs. They gain early insight into emerging technologies, help define the product roadmap, and retain the option to deepen their investment or acquire the company later on. This model de-risks the innovation process. Rather than building internally or waiting for mature acquisitions, companies can influence early development while sharing the cost and risk with the Studio and the entrepreneurial team.

A Better Path for Academic Researchers

The Studio also provides a compelling opportunity for university inventors. Faculty with commercially promising research are invited to co-develop new ventures alongside experienced startup operators. Rather than simply licensing out their discoveries, researchers retain a role in the business-building process, and a stake in its success.

They benefit from access to startup capital, customer discovery support, and a full suite of operational services provided by NJII. With headquarters at NJIT’s Paul Profeta Center for

Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Studio ensures that faculty innovations are launched from within a thriving entrepreneurial environment, not in isolation. This structure addresses a critical gap in university innovation: how to move ideas from the lab to the market without expecting researchers to become full-time entrepreneurs or navigate the startup world alone.

Timely, Targeted, Scalable

The Studio operates with a clear focus: launch high-impact startups that achieve a meaningful inflection point (such as revenue, customer adoption, or follow-on investment) within 18 months. It prioritizes sectors where New Jersey has unique strength, including artificial intelligence, human health, smart infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

This timeline and sector focus provide discipline and urgency, which are often missing in traditional commercialization pathways. The result is a repeatable, scalable model for turning academic research into funded, high-growth companies.

Building a New Innovation Infrastructure

As federal research budgets face continued uncertainty, and as corporations seek new ways to source innovation, the NJII Venture Studio offers a pragmatic solution. It creates aligned incentives between public institutions, private enterprise, and entrepreneurial talent while producing tangible economic outcomes for New Jersey and beyond.

The Studio is actively seeking university technologies, corporate partners, and entrepreneurial leaders. For anyone looking to build the next wave of transformative companies, do not hesitate to reach out.

The post A New Blueprint for Innovation: How the NJII Venture Studio Is Redefining University-Corporate appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Merck Digital Sciences Studio Showcases Third Cohort of Biotech Innovators in NYC https://www.njii.com/2025/06/merck-digital-sciences-studio-showcases-third-cohort-of-biotech-innovators-in-nyc/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:47:35 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=20680 On June 11, the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS) held its Cohort 3 Graduation Showcase graciously hosted by McDermett, Will, & Emory at their Manhattan Office. The event marked the culmination of the 10-month accelerator ...

The post Merck Digital Sciences Studio Showcases Third Cohort of Biotech Innovators in NYC appeared first on NJII.

]]>
On June 11, the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS) held its Cohort 3 Graduation Showcase graciously hosted by McDermett, Will, & Emory at their Manhattan Office. The event marked the culmination of the 10-month accelerator program, which supports early-stage companies developing technologies that enable more efficient and effective drug discovery and development.

MDSS is a collaboration between Merck and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (a subsidiary of NJIT), with additional investment from the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, and McKesson Ventures. Microsoft for Startups provides technical support. The program is designed to support startups that are building digital infrastructure for biopharma. These companies extend beyond not just applications of artificial intelligence, but through a range of tools spanning biology, automation, and data systems.

A Cross-Sector Audience and a Focus on Impact

The event brought together a curated audience of investors, pharma executives, academic researchers, and tech transfer leaders. All sharing an interest in accelerating innovation across the biopharma pipeline. Over the course of the afternoon, attendees heard directly from 12 MDSS-backed companies, each developing novel approaches to longstanding challenges in research, development, and clinical translation.

The format centered around three panel discussions, each highlighting a different facet of the drug development ecosystem. Rather than traditional pitch presentations, the panels allowed founders to dig into the scientific, technical, and operational problems they’re solving and why it matters.

Panel Discussions: Spotlighting Core Themes

The first panel, Enabling Biology, featured Orb Therapeutics, UbiquiTx, and Hebbian Bio. These companies are designing platforms that expand what’s possible in therapeutic discovery, whether through programmable therapies, next-gen proteome editors, or biomarker platforms for neurological disease.

The second panel, Redefining Human Disease, focused on teams working to extract new insight from patient-derived data. Voyant Bio, Nine Diagnostics, and ImYoo are developing technologies that allow researchers to characterize disease with more precision and speed, particularly in immunology, oncology, and personalized medicine.

The final panel, AI Toolkits for R&D Teams, addressed the need for more integrated and intelligent infrastructure to support preclinical research. ModernVivo, Potato, and ReSync Bio are tackling bottlenecks in experimental design, data coordination, and team workflows. All areas that remain major inefficiencies in the drug development lifecycle.

The Cohort: A Range of Technical Approaches

Collectively, the cohort reflects the breadth of what “digital enablement” in biopharma can mean. Some companies are focused on foundational biology such as Augment Biologics, which is building a platform based on glycobiology, or Inaedis, which is developing stable biologic formulations. Others are reimagining data capture and analysis, such as Esya Labs, which is working to make brain health screening more routine and accessible.

Across the board, the companies are grounded in deep technical expertise and a strong understanding of the needs of biopharma R&D teams. While several leverage artificial intelligence, they also incorporate domain-specific tools in chemistry, immunology, and systems biology. These companies underscore that innovation in this space is inherently multidisciplinary.

Looking Ahead

The showcase closed with a networking reception, giving attendees a chance to connect more informally with the founders and one another. Set against panoramic views of Manhattan, the reception served as a reminder of the broader goal of MDSS: to build a collaborative ecosystem where early-stage companies gain access not just to capital, but to the networks, knowledge, and infrastructure they need to scale.

As Cohort 3 graduates from the program, they join a growing network of companies using technology to transform how therapies are discovered, developed, and delivered. The Showcase made clear that MDSS is not just accelerating companies, it’s helping define the future of biotech innovation.

The post Merck Digital Sciences Studio Showcases Third Cohort of Biotech Innovators in NYC appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Merck Digital Sciences Studio: Meet Our Third Cohort https://www.njii.com/2024/12/merck-digital-sciences-studio-meet-our-third-cohort/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:26:40 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=20154 December 2, 2024, Newark, NJ — New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a subsidiary of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), is pleased to announce The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio) Cohort 3.  NJII welcomed ...

The post Merck Digital Sciences Studio: Meet Our Third Cohort appeared first on NJII.

]]>
December 2, 2024, Newark, NJ — New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), a subsidiary of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), is pleased to announce The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio) Cohort 3. 

NJII welcomed the new MDS Studio cohort to the Profeta Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for a kickoff event, marking a key step on the journey for 12 innovative startups focused on revolutionizing drug discovery and development through digital solutions. Highlights of the November 21st event include a panel on technology trends, a discussion on product growth, and a collaborative panel with program alumni and other team members to wrap up the day.  

MDS Studio is a collaborative digital accelerator designed to enable the next generation of technologies for drug discovery and development, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. MDS Studio was founded to offer support for early-stage digital biopharma startups providing strategic guidance, direct investment, and connection opportunities to pharma leadership. Since inception in 2022, this highly selective program has accepted less than 7% of applicants over its first three cohorts. 

This cohort will focus on important and disruptive bio-technical approaches in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with expertise and tools from clinical scientists to advance leading-edge science to save and improve lives. 

Meet the Cohort:  

Augment Biologics: Using foundational discoveries in glycobiology to transform biologic drug development. 

Esya: Making brain health screening as routine and accessible as any other essential health check. 

Hebbian Bio: Unlocking novel treatments and biomarkers for neuro conditions through precision medicine. 

ImYoo: Powering personalized medicine via big molecular data directly from patients. 

Inaedis: Manufacturing powdered, thermally stable biologics and vaccines using innovative room-temperature dehydration technology. 

ModernVivo: Developing software to help research scientists design optimized in vivo models to reduce costs, accelerate timelines, and identify effective therapeutics. 

Nine Diagnostics: Determining treatment effectiveness and discovering new biology using AI-enabled nanosensor technology. 

Potato AI: Building an AI scientist to speed up discovery. 

ReSync Bio: Serving as a single source of truth for preclinical operations: coordinating labs, data, and software programs on one platform. 

UbiquiTx: Integrating AI, computation, and biological automation to accelerate the design of novel proteome editors. 

Voyant Bio: Designing precision immunotherapies targeting immune-immune cell interactions to radically improve cancer patient treatment outcomes. 

About Merck Digital Sciences Studio:  

The Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio or MDSS) is a collaboration between Merck, the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, McKesson Ventures, Microsoft for Startups, and the New Jersey Innovation Institute, a New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) subsidiary. The 10-month startup accelerator program empowers members and enables the generation of innovative digital technologies for drug discovery and development through hands-on mentorship, connection opportunities with industry-leading partners, and training in an active entrepreneurial setting. Through the accelerator program, these startups will have access to workshops, coaching, office space, and Microsoft for Startups resources, including up to $150,000 Azure Cloud computing credits. 

About NJII: 

New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) is a 501c3 organization wholly owned by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). As an independent corporation, NJII is uniquely positioned to be agile, entrepreneurial, and opportunistic. NJII is focused on accelerating technology and fostering innovation to have a positive economic impact in New Jersey. To date, NJII has generated over $330M in revenue during its ten years of operation across its divisions (AI/ML, Defense, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare and Learning & Development) and today has a team of 100+ members. Learn more: https://www.njii.com/about/ 

The post Merck Digital Sciences Studio: Meet Our Third Cohort appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Propelling Innovation in New Jersey https://www.njii.com/2024/08/propelling-innovation-in-nj/ Thu, 01 Aug 2024 20:03:25 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=19675 The 2024 Propelify Conference, hosted by TechUnited in Hoboken, marked a significant gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the New Jersey and New York Community. The annual event facilitates a plethora of networking opportunities ...

The post Propelling Innovation in New Jersey appeared first on NJII.

]]>
The 2024 Propelify Conference, hosted by TechUnited in Hoboken, marked a significant gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the New Jersey and New York Community. The annual event facilitates a plethora of networking opportunities with over 20 guest speakers and panels and fosters career and business development for all in attendance. With the conference’s focus on the advances of artificial intelligence this year, many startup spotlights and panels were geared towards AI’s impact on society, but there was still a wide variety of people from every type of technological background and field.

Proud to represent the New Jersey Innovation Institute at the conference was NJII’s Entrepreneurship Division, accompanied by several promising startups currently partaking in various programs managed by the organization. Each team brought unique innovations to the table, highlighting their successes and showcasing NJII’s impact on their journey thus far, helping spread NJII’s name to visitors alongside the Entrepreneurship members advertising the programs themselves. The event was a positive experience for everyone, fostering connections and potential partnerships that would not have formed otherwise. Tom Steen, a member of Plant Hopper, mentioned, “we got a lot of great interest and support from the Propelify community.  The Spotted Lanternfly is such a ubiquitous pest in NJ that quite a few people stopped by just to share anecdotes about their experiences with the pest.  We received lots of support and encouragement to continue on the road towards safe, effective insecticide options.”

 In addition to Plant Hopper, there were two other teams present at NJII’s table; Portable Diagnostics Systems and Ascent Bio.

Portable Diagnostics Systems, a biotech startup specializing in portable drug testing devices, leverages the move-in ready, independent lab space at the Profeta Center. They have solidified their presence in NJ by moving to the Profeta Center upon graduation from HAX’s accelerator program. The company has actively engaged with the local talent pool, hiring NJIT students as interns and taking advantage of other benefits in the NJII community.

Ascent Bio, a startup focused on AI-First scalable molecule design, attracted significant attention at their Propelify debut this year. They are part of the second cohort of the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio), a collaboration between Merck, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, McKesson Ventures, Microsoft for Startups, and the New Jersey Innovation Institute, and was represented by co-founder Xuefei Gao at Propelify. Their presence at the conference underscored the growing influence of AI technology in the biotech sector.

Plant Hopper, a biotech company dedicated to resolving the ecological threat imposed by the Spotted Lanternfly, won the final spot at NJII’s table via a competitive video pitch contest. As Part of the inaugural New Jersey Innovation Fellows cohort and a participant in the NJIT I-Corps program, they garnered much curiosity and people to the table, bringing samples of their biopesticide to show off. This in tandem with the immense passion the team exuded make the event highly successful for their progression, a testament to the supportive ecosystem for startups in New Jersey. The 2024 Propelify Conference once again proved to be a vital nexus for innovation, bringing together a diverse array of talents and technologies. With the active participation of NJII and the showcase of startups like Portable Diagnostics Systems, Ascent Bio, and Plant Hopper, the event highlighted New Jersey’s growing prominence as a place for technological advancement and entrepreneurial success. NJII wishes to thank TechUnited for planning the conference, and cannot wait to attend again next year, with more promising startups. You can learn about NJII’s mission to accelerate and enable the next generation of entrepreneurs by visiting our Venture Studio webpage.

The post Propelling Innovation in New Jersey appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Medical Device Company AnataMed Receives Grant and Training Through NJIF Funding  https://www.njii.com/2024/07/anatamed-receives-grant-through-njif-funding/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 01:25:59 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=19570 The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), in an effort to expand and develop entrepreneurs and startup companies throughout the state, is delivering a total of up to $3.6 million in income replacement grants to ...

The post Medical Device Company AnataMed Receives Grant and Training Through NJIF Funding  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), in an effort to expand and develop entrepreneurs and startup companies throughout the state, is delivering a total of up to $3.6 million in income replacement grants to 10 different startups through the New Jersey Innovation Fellows (NJIF) program. Each company will receive an initial $200,000 grant, with an opportunity for bonus grants, and a dynamic mentorship program provided in part by the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). 

AnataMed, a medical device company co-founded by Dr. Franklin Kumar and Caroline Yu in East Orange, NJ, is among the inaugural round of NJIF grant recipients, receiving $350,000 as well as mentorship through NJII. AnataMed’s groundbreaking spinal orthotic is designed to aid in the rehabilitation of back muscles, providing a cost-effective and time-efficient solution for patients suffering from low back pain. 

“I tell people this all the time, think about the numbers; 30 million people each year have chronic lower back pain…If you can just even help a small portion of these people, you know, that’s a big win, so I think that’s what kind of keeps us motivated in terms of, the fact that we can help in such a large population” says Yu when discussing the potential of AnataMed’s product. 

Working as a clinician in East Orange for over 30 years, Dr. Kumar envisioned a device that could improve the recovery process for patients with back issues. Together with Caroline, an electrical engineer with a strong business background, they set out to bring this vision to life, leading to the formation of AnataMed in 2023. The duo, joined by Dr. Kumar’s children Kevin and Kaitlin, are highly passionate about solving back problems and making strides to bring Dr. Kumar’s idea to life. 

AnataMed’s flagship spinal orthotic device looks similar to a back brace, but offers much more in terms of rehabilitative impact. The development of this device has been an iterative process, involving extensive testing and refinement over the past year and a half. With the help of an industrial engineer in Pittsburgh, the team created a professional-looking medical brace and are conducting an early feasibility study at Dr. Kumar’s clinic. 

 With the support of the NJIF grant, AnataMed have secured a highly skilled patent attorney who has helped broaden their patent claims. Additionally, the team has recently joined the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) I-Corps program, which provides entrepreneurs with rigorous customer discovery and valuable insights into the reimbursement and insurance aspects of their respective industries. 

The NJIF program has also helped AnataMed develop in ways beyond funding. The monthly sessions and mentorship from experts like NJII’s Michael Van Ter Sluis have been particularly beneficial. Kaitlin Kumar, who comes from a medical background, has found NJII-led business-oriented sessions to be a great learning experience, enhancing her understanding of what it takes to bring a startup to success. 

Networking opportunities provided by NJIF, such as NJII’s monthly Open Coffee Club, have been invaluable for AnataMed. These events have allowed the team to connect with other entrepreneurs, share resources, and learn from the experiences of others in the medical device industry. The support and advice from the community have helped them navigate the challenges of developing a new product. 

AnataMed’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation and the will to make a change in the world. With a strong team, a supportive community, and a clear vision, they are well on their way to making a significant impact on spinal health and rehabilitation. 

Startups like AnataMed are crucial to implementing NJEDA’s vision to create sustainable economic growth throughout New Jersey. Between the NJIF program and partnerships with organizations like NJII, New Jersey is becoming a hotbed for entrepreneurial diversity and innovative projects and programs.

Learn more about how NJII is driving the future of startups through incubation and acceleration in our state.

The post Medical Device Company AnataMed Receives Grant and Training Through NJIF Funding  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Success Story: Libre Jones, Beloved Upcycle  https://www.njii.com/2024/06/success-story-libre-jones-beloved-upcycle/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:58:10 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=19113 Libre Jones has style: Maximalist style!  Beloved Upcycle, founded and launched by Libre Jones, reimagines vintage furniture and offers customized designs and aesthetics tailored to the client’s individuality.  Libre scours estate sales, resale shops, and ...

The post Success Story: Libre Jones, Beloved Upcycle  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Libre Jones has style: Maximalist style! 

Beloved Upcycle, founded and launched by Libre Jones, reimagines vintage furniture and offers customized designs and aesthetics tailored to the client’s individuality. 

Libre scours estate sales, resale shops, and flea markets looking for well-built pieces of furniture with classic details that speak to her and that are ready to be reborn. When deciding on a new visage for the piece she considers style, form, colors, textures, and trim and chooses modern prints that complement the furniture’s shape.  

While taking an upholstery class, Libre fell in love with revitalizing vintage furniture. Once she realized that her new love could grow into a business, she knew she needed to go back to the classroom – this time to learn how to become a businesswoman.  

Libre completed the Profeta Entrepreneurship Workshop, a free nine-week program at NJII for people in Newark and the surrounding communities. The Workshop teaches business fundamentals, focusing on key topics new and small business owners need to be prepared to tackle. 

The Profeta Entrepreneurship Workshop helped me identify that my hobby is a legitimate business. The assistance I received helped me work through the trepidation with financial statements and creating projections, which always intimidated me. In the past I would get discouraged and stop, but now I am moving full steam ahead!” 

Libre Jones 
Founder, Beloved Upcycle 

Taking the course gave Libre the business foundation she needed to launch Beloved Upcycle. Her diligence in learning best business practices has allowed her to create a path to profitability. 

As a designer, Libre creates a vision for each piece of furniture; as a businesswoman, Libre has developed a strategic plan for Beloved Upcycle. 

Using her newly learned skills and industry knowledge, Libre has launched a marketing campaign on Instagram that illustrates Maximalist style, upcycling techniques, her visits to thrift stores and used furniture stores, and her own upcycling process. Today, two organizations have asked her to offer classes to help people understand the possibilities of upcycling.  

Now that her revenue is growing, Libre hopes to find an affordable workshop space. Beloved Upcycle is a result of life-long learning and reflection of Libre’s persistence and ingenuity. 

Learn more about Libre Jones’ story and her business process at Beloved Upcycle here. 

The post Success Story: Libre Jones, Beloved Upcycle  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Meet Libre Jones and Beloved Upcycle: A Profeta Entrepreneurship Success Story  https://www.njii.com/2024/06/meet-libre-jones-and-beloved-upcycle/ Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:05:10 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=19108 Libre Jones has style – Maximalist style!  While taking an upholstery class, Libre fell in love with reimagining and revitalizing vintage furniture. With a flair for design and a new-found, deep-rooted passion for reupholstery, she ...

The post Meet Libre Jones and Beloved Upcycle: A Profeta Entrepreneurship Success Story  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Libre Jones has style – Maximalist style! 

While taking an upholstery class, Libre fell in love with reimagining and revitalizing vintage furniture. With a flair for design and a new-found, deep-rooted passion for reupholstery, she transforms classic pieces of furniture from old and tired to fresh and fabulous. Once she realized that her new love could grow into a business, she knew she needed to go back to the classroom: this time to learn how to become a businesswoman.  

Libre completed the Profeta Entrepreneurship Workshop, a free nine-week program at NJII for people in Newark and the surrounding communities. The Workshop teaches business fundamentals, focusing on key topics new and small business owners need to be prepared to tackle such as: validating a good business idea; researching their market; understanding business financials and conducting simple financial analysis; developing a pricing strategy; and marketing goods and services.  

Taking the course gave Libre the business foundation she needed to launch Beloved Upcycle. Her imagination and skill allow her to create captivating masterpieces that resonate with charm and character while her diligence in learning best business practices has allowed her to create a path to profitability. 

About Beloved Upcycle & Libre’s Process 

Libre scours estate sales, resale shops, and flea markets looking for pieces of furniture that speak to her. She looks for old furniture with classic details that is well-built and ready to be reborn.  

In her home workshop, she spends time re-imagining each piece. She gently strips old upholstery and embellishments that have served their past purpose. She cleans fine wood finishes, making light repairs as necessary. When deciding on a new visage for the piece she considers style, form, colors, textures, and trim. Libre chooses modern prints that complement the furniture’s shape and to give them a fresh look and a modern feel. 

Some pieces just need new foam cushions and upholstery while some pieces need more attention; she will sand and paint pieces if the original wood finish is beyond saving. 

Libre Today 

As a designer, Libre creates a vision for each piece of furniture; as a businesswoman, Libre has developed a strategic plan for Beloved Upcycle. With her newly learned skills and industry knowledge, she has launched a marketing campaign on Instagram that illustrates Maximalist style, upcycling techniques, her visits to thrift stores and used furniture stores, and her own upcycling process. Today, two organizations have asked her to offer classes to help people understand the possibilities of upcycling. Now that her revenue is growing, she hopes to find an affordable workshop space. 

Libre breathes new life into aged treasures, transforming them into vibrant expressions of her clients’ individuality. Beloved Upcycle is a result of life-long learning and a reflection of her persistence and ingenuity.  

Learn more about NJII’s Entrepreneurship programs, resources, and services, and get in touch today! 

The post Meet Libre Jones and Beloved Upcycle: A Profeta Entrepreneurship Success Story  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Choosing the Right Business Structure: S-Corps, C-Corps and LLCs  https://www.njii.com/2024/05/choosing-the-right-business-structure/ Mon, 13 May 2024 19:03:25 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=18820 When starting a business, one of the most important decisions entrepreneurs need to make is choosing the right legal structure. The choice between S corporations (S-corps), C corporations (C-corps), and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) can ...

The post Choosing the Right Business Structure: S-Corps, C-Corps and LLCs  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
When starting a business, one of the most important decisions entrepreneurs need to make is choosing the right legal structure. The choice between S corporations (S-corps), C corporations (C-corps), and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) can have major implications for taxation, investments, corporate governance, and the overall trajectory of the business.  

At the New Jersey Innovation Institute, we’re committed to helping businesses in our state grow and thrive. NJII is proud to be a mentorship partner for the NJEDA’s New Jersey Innovation Fellows program. Applications for the next cohort are now open! If selected to join the program, entrepreneur fellows will have to determine the right business structure for their idea. Read on to learn more about the key characteristics, advantages, and challenges which may determine the best option for a business or startup. 

C Corporations (C-corps) 

C-corps are separate legal entities that provide limited liability protection for owners, shielding their personal assets from business debts and legal issues. Some key benefits of the C-corp structure include: 

  • Ability to have an unlimited number of shareholders, enabling significant capital raising through stock issuance. 
  • Perpetual existence that extends beyond the lives of individual shareholders.  
  • Well-established legal framework that can instill confidence in investors and lenders. 

However, C-corps also face some notable challenges, including: 

  • Double taxation, where profits are taxed at both the corporate level and again when distributed to shareholders as dividends. The current corporate tax rate is 21% but proposed to increase to 28%. 
  • Higher regulatory and compliance requirements, including the need for a board of directors, articles of incorporation, and other formalities. This can increase legal and operational costs. 
  • Significant administrative obligations related to taxes and reporting. 

S Corporations (S-corps) 

S-corps provide a way for businesses to avoid the double taxation of C-corps while still maintaining many of the benefits of a traditional corporate structure. Key characteristics include: 

  • Pass-through taxation, where business income and losses flow directly to shareholders’ personal tax returns.  
  • Limits on the number (100) and type of shareholders (individuals, certain trusts and estates, and some tax-exempt organizations). 
  • Required adherence to more stringent corporate governance practices like holding regular meetings and maintaining detailed records. 

Some potential drawbacks of S-corps are: 

  • Strict operational and eligibility requirements that can invite increased IRS scrutiny and risk the termination of S-corp status if violated. 
  • Limitations on allocating profits and losses among shareholders, requiring distributions proportionate to ownership stakes. This can reduce flexibility compared to LLCs. 
  • Administrative and financial burdens associated with incorporation and maintenance, including special tax filings, that may strain very small or lean operations. 

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) 

LLCs have become an increasingly popular choice for small businesses due to their flexibility and simplicity. Notable features and benefits include: 

  • Pass-through taxation is similar to S-corps. 
  • Fewer corporate formalities and governance requirements. 
  • Flexibility for members to structure financial contributions and profit-sharing arrangements. 

LLC downsides to keep in mind: 

  • Potential for dissolution if a member departs, unlike the continuous existence of corporations. 
  • Requirement for members to pay self-employment taxes on profits. 
  • Less extensive legal precedent to rely on compared to more established corporate forms. 

Which Structure is Right for Your Business? 

Ultimately, the choice between an S-corp, C-corp and LLC depends on your unique business needs and goals. C-corps can be a good fit for businesses aiming to scale quickly and attract major investment capital. S-corps offer a nice balance of tax efficiency and formal structure. 

Meanwhile, LLCs work well for those prioritizing flexibility and simplicity. Startups and small businesses often start out as LLCs before converting to a corporate structure as they grow. Some key factors to consider:  

  • Growth objectives and investment needs  
  • Desired level of operational flexibility 
  • Anticipated legal risks and liabilities 
  • Tax optimization priorities  
  • Administrative capabilities and resources 

You can check out our entrepreneurship webpage and reach out to learn more about our programs and resources for entrepreneurs and innovators.  

The post Choosing the Right Business Structure: S-Corps, C-Corps and LLCs  appeared first on NJII.

]]>
Success Story: Partnership with ROMARK https://www.njii.com/2024/05/success-story-partnership-with-romark/ Thu, 09 May 2024 18:30:11 +0000 https://www.njii.com/?p=18089 Romark Logistics is a business storage, transportation, and logistics company based out of Westfield, New Jersey. Romark currently operates over 8 million square feet of managed space throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, and California. ...

The post Success Story: Partnership with ROMARK appeared first on NJII.

]]>

Romark Logistics is a business storage, transportation, and logistics company based out of Westfield, New Jersey. Romark currently operates over 8 million square feet of managed space throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, and California. Romark needed to establish a technology roadmap that utilizes current automated solutions, while leaving room for advancement in years ahead.

In 2023, Romark needed to efficiently upgrade their technical and automation solutions in order to effectively manage growth and maintain quality.

Romark partnered with NJII to identify and develop new opportunities in logistics technology. This included the development of a multi-year technology roadmap, implementation of modern warehouse technology, development of discrete projects spinning AI, robotics, video analytics, optimization and more.

Driven by research and development, NJII delivered business value to support first class supply0chain and logistics for Romark.

“We are very excited about our partnership with NJII/NJIT and the impressive team they have assembled. Romark embraces innovation and is consistently researching opportunities for advanced technology throughout the world. By partnering with NJII/NJIT, we gain additional expertise and further expand our R&D capabilities, which will enable us to continue to transform our business and position our clients for the future.”

Marc Lebowitz
(President and Owner, Romark Logistics)

The post Success Story: Partnership with ROMARK appeared first on NJII.

]]>