FuzeHub’s Build4Scale NY seeks to help manufacturers take products to market

ALBANY — Build4Scale NY is a new FuzeHub program designed to help manufacturers take new products to market and “more rapidly expand” their operations in New York. 

In addition to training and one-on-one guidance, Build4Scale NY will provide grants of up to $10,000 to participating, “high-potential” businesses.

FuzeHub is an Albany–based nonprofit organization that works to help small- to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York. FuzeHub is also the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP) center.

Program origin

FuzeHub during the summer earned the $250,000 top prize in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) American Inventions Made Onshore (AIM Onshore) prize competition. FuzeHub used the funding for the new Build4Scale NY program, which will serve “hardware innovators” across all industries statewide. 

It will target startups and early-stage manufacturers that need assistance “optimizing” products or processes, as well as small- and medium-sized manufacturers that are ready to scale up their operations.

In addition to the AIM Onshore grant, Build4Scale NY is supported by NYSTAR, Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation.

Build4Scale is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy, which FuzeHub has applied to its program with DOE’s permission.

“Build4Scale NY will provide innovators with the toolkit they need to forge an idea into a manufactured product that meets a market need and exceeds customer expectations,” Elena Garuc, executive director of FuzeHub, said in a statement. “The program will also connect local innovators with local manufacturers to ensure new technologies are produced in New York State — which will strengthen our manufacturing industry and support job creation.”

FuzeHub recently hired Eric Fasser — a 20-year veteran of the manufacturing industry who has deep expertise in product design and development — to lead Build4Scale NY as a design and engineering-solutions specialist. 

Fasser and FuzeHub will advise participating businesses on how to design products that are easier to manufacture, adopt lean product-development standards, accelerate commercialization, and address common manufacturing and design issues. 

“Even the greatest inventions can be challenging to bring to market, and even the most promising small manufacturers can have a tough time scaling up their production,” Fasser said. “That’s why Build4Scale NY is so important. We’ll help innovators get the job done, launching products and growing companies that contribute to New York’s economic growth.”

How it works

Build4Scale NY will open a membership program, which startups and manufacturers can join to access training, resources, expertise and funding. Member companies will receive individualized support to address specific needs, solve unique challenges and spark their growth. 

Build4Scale NY trainings will happen monthly in webinars and live workshops, which will be held in regions across the state. A webinar that was scheduled for Jan. 8 focused on what to expect from Build4Scale NY in 2020.

The webinar was recorded and made available for viewing on FuzeHub’s Build4Scale NY website, John Mackowiak, media contact for FuzeHub, tells CNYBJ.

The first live workshop will be held Jan. 29 in Kingston. 

FuzeHub will award grant funding to Build4Scale member companies based upon their needs and their products’ commercial potential. Multiple grants of varying values, up to $10,000, will be awarded. A total of $140,000 in grant funding is available, and only member companies are eligible.